Windows Weekly 853

On this episode, Leo, Paul, and Richard discuss the big release of Windows 11 23H2, productivity in Macs vs PCs, Microsoft 365 Copilot arriving, changes in the Xbox and marketing divisions, iFixit support for Surface repair, and American rye whiskeys.

23H2

• Surprise! Microsoft delivers the Windows 11 23H2 Update, which upgrades your Windows 11 version 22H2-based PC to version 23H2, much sooner than expected.
• Technically, Microsoft NEVER delivered the so-called “Fall Update,” since it was only made available in preview form (twice, for some reason). So 23H2 is actually the first public release of those 150+ new features. 
• The Windows 11 Media Creation Tool still installs 22H2. Because Microsoft. Workaround: Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Which hilariously requires you to install the PC Health Check app.
• We need to discuss Microsoft Teams in Windows 11. And then literally never discuss it again.
• Microsoft is killing the Windows Insider MVP program. What exactly did it even mean to be an “MVP” in the Insider program? 
• Dev: From last Friday, adds one new feature, a “Recently added” folder (for apps) in Start (in Recommended)
• Beta, from last Thursday: Two new features (gradual rollout): System components in Settings, Game Bar rebranding. Plus fixes. 
• Windows 11 now has 26 percent usage share vs. 69 percent for Windows 10.

Whatever happened to Windows 12?

• There have been overt clues about Windows 12 literally all year, including as recently as last week. But Microsoft has never, not once, uttered this phrase. What’s happening?

Microsoft 365/AI

• Today’s the day: Microsoft 365 Copilot arrives for commercial customers on E3 or higher.
• OG Teams is retiring in March.
• Microsoft Word turned 40 last week.
• This was the gateway drug that lured Paul into the Microsoft ecosystem. But it’s showing it’s age. If Microsoft can’t get spell- and grammar-checking right in Word, why will AI work?

Earnings Learnings

•  Did Azure just make more money than AWS??
• Intel stumbles but finally sees an end to the PC sales slide.

Surface

• iFixit now sells Surface replacement parts. And it is fascinating to see how much more you can replace/repair in newer models compared to the first “repairable” Surface, Surface Pro 7.

Xbox

• Microsoft reorgs Xbox in the wake of Activision Blizzard acquisition. 
• Chris Capossela is Leaving Microsoft.
• Paul has a very mysterious announcement to make for our holiday show this year!
• Xbox October Update arrives with keyboard mapping for Elite Series 2 and Adaptive controllers.
• There are a lot more titles coming to Xbox Game Pass in early November.
• Microsoft will now block unofficial controllers on Xbox consoles.
• Atari acquires Digital Eclipse, the retro game company behind that amazing Karateka interactive documentary.

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Windows 11 Field Guide gets its first 23H2 update
• App pick of the week: Start11 v2 is here to chase your Start menu nightmares away
• RunAs Radio this week: Green IT with Mike Halsey
  -Brown liquor pick of the week: Leopold Bros Maryland Rye 100 Proof

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 853, Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Releases the Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2)
• 23H2, Microsoft Teams (Free), And an Inability to Communicate Effectively (Premium)
• Microsoft is Ending the Windows Insider MVP Program
• Windows 11 Dev Build 23575 Adds Recently Added Apps Folder in Start Menu
• Microsoft Releases Windows 11 Insider Build 22635.2552 on the Beta Channel
• Windows 11 Made Modest Usage Share Gains in October
• Waiting for Windows 12 (Premium)
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Arrives Today
• Microsoft to Retire Classic Teams in March 2024
• Microsoft Word Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
• From the Editor’s Desk: For Write or Wrong (Premium)
• Amazon Revenues Surged 13 Percent to $143.1 Billion in Q3
• Intel Revenues Fell 8 Percent in Q3, But PC Sales Slide is Ending
• iFixit Now Sells Replacement Parts for Compatible Surface PCs
• Microsoft Reorgs its Xbox and Marketing Divisions Following Activision Blizzard Acquisition
• Capossela is Leaving Microsoft
• Xbox October Update Adds Keyboard Mapping for Elite Series 2 and Adaptive Controllers
• Football Manager 2024 and More Are Coming to Game Pass in November
• Football Manager 2024 and More Are Coming to Game Pass in November
• Microsoft is Now Blocking Unofficial Controllers on Xbox Consoles
• Atari Acquires Digital Eclipse
• First 23H2 Update is Now Available for the Windows 11 Field Guide E-Book
• Stardock Releases Start11 v2
• Leopold Bros Maryland Rye 100 Proof
• Green IT with Mike Halsey