Windows Weekly 981: Semi-Sophisticated

This episode dives into early MS-DOS/PC-DOS source code, Snapdragon X2 gaming, and the "We are Xbox" messaging. Plus, Paul details 2 big changes in the Windows Insider Program. The latest PowerToys adds 2 useful new utilities and many improvements. And a TWiT listener asked about buying Windows 11 on Arm to virtualize it on a Mac. You're not going to believe what happened next.

Windows

• Microsoft announces big changes to Windows Update • Microsoft announces Windows Insider Program changes, with Experimental channel • Hands-on with both predictably shows some nice improvements • Hands-on with Snapdragon X2 gaming - more wins, but still some losses • Microsoft open sources some of the earliest MS-DOS source code and related materials • Intel loses $3.7 billion and Wall Street could not be happier. WTF is happening - Paul has a theory and its called collusion

AI

• Microsoft and OpenAI revise partnership again and wait for it... • OpenAI immediately signs on with AWS • Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers get Word, Excel, and PowerPoint agentic AI features • Copilot in Outlook can manage your inbox and calendar, but seriously stop using Outloook • GitHub Copilot's switch to usage-based billing starts June 1 • OpenAI is reportedly working on a phone because of course it is • Adobe Firefly AI Assistant is now available in preview • And then Anthropic goes deeper into the creator market

Xbox and gaming

• Microsoft Gaming is being (re)rebranded to Xbox! • New Xbox leadership can't stop explaining its plans and it's glorious • Microsoft still plans a mobile game store, waiting on Apple to stop being so f'ing terrible • Valve's Steam Controller will cost $99 and launches next week

Tips and picks

• Tip of the week: Windows licenses, $, and you • App pick of the week: PowerToys 0.99 • RunAs Radio this week: M365 Copilot vs Claude Cowork with Sharon Weaver • Brown liquor pick of the week: Reifel Rye

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

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