Windows Weekly (Audio)

Ten years ago yesterday, Microsoft released Windows 10, fixing the issues with Windows 8.x and giving Windows 7 users a solid upgrade. One historical curiosity: It was the first Windows release without a major launch event. In other news, Microsoft publishes a Nadella email to the troops about the layoffs, but he never really addresses the layoffs.

Windows 10 turns 10

• The Bad: Its legacy is mixed, as this is when the enshittif...

Microsoft finally kills Movies & TV show service in the Microsoft Store. This was the final vestigial minder of Zune that remained. There was Groove Video and Xbox Video, too. Microsoft previously killed eBook (2019) and music (2017) sales. At this point, you would have to be insane to buy content from Microsoft, sorry... but you can get to some of your content on other services via Movies Anywhere - and use the Movies & T...

Microsoft just made a major change to the Windows 11 install media, and you're not going to believe what happens next! Plus, the AI spelling and grammar checking app/service that Paul relies on. And yes, he does pay for it.

Windows 11

• Copilot Vision gets full Desktop support, Voice integration across all Insider channels
• Click to Do gets a "Describe image" action, Administrator protection, App permission dialog changes in D...

It's been a big year for Windows 11 updates. This month is at least semi-manageable! Also, a few more bits from the layoffs. Plus, Amiga Forever 11 and C64 11 Forever help you live in the past!

Patch Tuesday

• Copilot+ PC only: Ask Copilot action for Click to Do
• 24H2 only: Show smaller Taskbar icons. Screen curtain feature in Narrator. Settings home page for commercial customer
• 23H2 and 24H2: Windows Share shows preview when...

Microsoft's latest round of layoffs hits Xbox Gaming hard as the company cuts approximately 9,000 jobs despite record profits. This week, Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell discuss the impact of these layoffs, Windows 11's new version naming, Microsoft Copilot coming to Mac, and dive deep into passkey security.

LAYOFFS

As expected, Microsoft began a massive round of layoffs across Xbox/Microsoft Gaming on Wednesday.

Windows 10 EOL update

• Microsoft confirms that Windows 10 EOL is a go for October. But...
• Consumers can now get a free year of extra security updates instead of paying(!)
• Businesses can now enroll in extended security updates program
• Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 to get security updates through October 2028

Windows 11

• A few new features via the Insider Program
• Recall gets a new home page and some nice updates...

No, it's not you. Windows Hello doesn't work in the dark anymore. For reasons. Say "Hello" to the Windows Hello controversy of the month!

Windows

• AI agent in Settings and Recall export experience in Dev/Beta channels - plus the old clock is back, baby
• July Patch Tuesday preview: App defaults (EEA only), Share images with visual preview, and some fixes for Windows 11 (The first one is coming to Windows 10 too - tied to the D...

Get to know Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday updates and new features in Windows 11, such as improvements to the Start menu, File Explorer, and Copilot integration. They also cover new AI features coming to the Photos app for Copilot+ PCs and updates to the Microsoft Store. The discussion then shifts to developer conferences like Google I/O and Apple's WWDC, with a focus on their respective AI advancements and product strategies. ...

Richard Campbell is out this week! Microsoft continues to make changes to Notepad as it tests 'lightweight text formatting' in Notepad. 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2 got preview updates. And Microsoft has reportedly delayed its first-party Xbox / Windows gaming handheld.



Windows

THE GREAT NOTEPAD CONTROVERSY OF 2025

• Microsoft announced it was testing "lightweight text formatting" in Notepad.
• This is one of MANY ...