Windows Weekly 941

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 Dev (25H2) and Beta (24H2)
• Canary finally gets the features everyone else has had for a while now
• Also, Microsoft quietly killed the simplified date/time in the Windows 11 Taskbar because no one liked it
• PC sales grew 5 percent in Q2 but there is a BIG caveat
• Semi-related: Google is “combining” ChromeOS and Android
• ChromeOS will build on Android going forward, smart
• Even less related: HMD quietly pulls Nokia out of the U.S. market, the dream is over

Microsoft 365, AI

• Microsoft layoffs directly attributed to AI
• Microsoft scuttled OpenAI’s acquisition of Windsurf and all hell broke loose
• Google snapped up key execs and engineers and licensed Windsurf for $2.4 billion
• All’s well that ends well: Cognition acquires Windsurf
• Microsoft keeps changing the terms of the deal: Microsoft 365 apps will be updated on Windows 10 only through August 2026
• Microsoft 365 Copilot is finally getting a Memory
• OpenAI is going to war with Microsoft and the world
• It’s working on a web browser
• It’s also working on an office productivity suite of sorts
• Google NotebookLM gets curated featured notebooks. This is emerging as one of the more useful AI tools

Xbox and Gaming

• Xbox app for Windows 11 gets “Stream your own game” functionality
• Grounded 2, more coming to Game Pass in second half of July
• Cyberpunk 2077 is coming to the Mac for some reason

Tips & Picks

• Tip of the week: Save big on PCs, go refurbished
• App pick of the week: LanguageTool for Desktop
• RunAs Radio this week: Fabric in 2025 with Arun Ulag
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Slane Triple Casked Blend

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 941 Transcript

Links

• Windows 11 Install Media Will Now Always Offer the Latest In-Box Apps
• Microsoft Begins Rolling Out Vision Desktop Share Across All Insider Channels
• Microsoft Issues New Insider Preview Builds for Beta and Dev Channels
• New Windows 11 24H2 and 23H2 (and Windows 10) Builds Head to the Release Preview Channel
• Windows Insider Canary Channel Gets a Substantial Update
• Windows 11’s Simplified System Tray Won’t Come Back Due to Negative Feedback
• PC Sales Grew Over 5 Percent in Q2
• Google Finally Admits It’s Combining Android and ChromeOS
• Google Clarifies the ChromeOS/Android Merger
• HMD Quietly Pulls Nokia Out of the U.S.
• Yes, AI is to Blame for the Microsoft Layoffs
• Thanks, Microsoft! Google Snags Top Windsurf Talent After Nixed OpenAI Deal
• Windsurf is Acquired by Cognition
• Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 Will No Longer Receive New Features After August 2026
• OpenAI Will Reportedly Launch New AI-Powered Browser in the Coming Weeks
• Google Brings Featured Notebooks to NotebookLM
• Xbox App on PC Adds ‘Stream Your Own Game’ Support For Insiders
• Grounded 2, RoboCop: Rogue City, and More Are Coming to Game Pass in July
• Cyberpunk 2077 is coming to macOS on July 17
• Weekly Deals on PCs and tech
• HP Business Outlet
• LanguageTool
• Fabric in 2025 with Arun Ulag
• Slane Triple Casked Blend