Windows Weekly 1002

Windows

• Week D arrives, and this time we get updates - a preview of Octoberʼs Patch Tuesday
  • 24H2/25H2 Minor update with new Copilot key remaps, Wi-Fi in WRE, more
  • 26H1 Major update that brings all new 26H2 features—Start, Taskbar, Search —to 26H1. Finally.

Windows Insider Program

• Four new builds last Friday - Biggest change is Cloud Rebuild in WRE (in Experimental) gaining new capabilities.

Software

• 30 years ago, Dave Plummer created Task Manager, and now heʼs vibe-coded a modern version that works on Mac and Linux too.
• Stardock announces a new Windows 11 utility called Snipboard.
• Clipchamp does AI upscaling to 4K now

Hardware

• The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition is nearly perfect, with 11 hours of battery life.
• Googlebook revealed!
  • Questions answered - $899 starting price is much lower than expected.
  • This is Androidʼs Copilot+ PC moment - An AI PC? What a concept!

AI/dev

• Microsoft announces a OneDrive + Copilot event in October - Also a separate Copilot event before then.
• Financial Times reveals internal OpenAI prediction of $278 billion in losses over the next five years.
• NYT copyright case discovery reveals what Microsoft and OpenAI really think about stealing content.
• Anthropic merges Cowork into chat, adds Docs and Slides.
• Google Labs CC turned into Gemini Daily Brief, so now itʼs an AI agent for families.
• Google opens up its Home smart home ecosystem to other AI assistants.
• XAML.io is a web-based vibe coding IDE for .NET apps and it looks amazing.

XBOX and Gaming

• A big reorg and a small number of layoffs at XBOX sets off a new round of hand wringing.

Tip and Picks

• Tip of the week: Get Auto SR on Panther Lake-based laptops
• Auto SR was designed to make gaming viable on Windows 11 on Arm/Snapdragon X/X2, but now itʼs available on Intel Core Ultra Series 3-based PCs and it is worth experimenting with.

App Pick of the Week: Affinity

• Possibly the greatest free app in existence, Affinity just got 60 new features and is even better.

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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 1002 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Ships September Preview Updates for Windows 11
• Microsoft is Testing New File Removal Options for Windows 11’s Cloud Rebuild Feature
• Dave Plummer Has Made the Task Manager of Your Dreams
• Stardock Rethinks the Windows 11 Clipboard with Snipboard
• Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition Review
• Google Reveals First Googlebooks From Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo
• Googlebook Questions, Answered
• Googlebook is a Battle of Simplicity and Sophistication vs. Inertia
• Microsoft Announces Copilot + OneDrive Event on October 20
• Report: OpenAI to Lose $278 Billion in Next Five Years
• Legal Filing: OpenAI and Microsoft Knew They Were Stealing
• Anthropic Merges Cowork Into Chat, Adds Docs and Slides
• Google Labs CC Evolves Into an AI Agent for Families
• Google Opens Up its Home Ecosystem to Other AI Chatbots
• XAML.io Lets You Build .NET Apps in a Web Browser
• Xbox Announces More Job Cuts and Studio Reorgs, With Next Halo Game Developed by Activision
• Microsoft Brings Windows 11 Auto SR to Intel Core Ultra Series 3-Based PCs
• Affinity Ships a Major Update With Over 60 New Features