Windows Weekly 981

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

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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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 981 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Announces Major Changes to Windows Update in Windows 11
• Microsoft Starts Rolling Out New “Experimental” Windows Insider Channel
• Hands-On: The New Windows Insider Program and Windows Update
• Snapdragon X2 Gets in the Game ⭐️
• Microsoft Open Sources Some of the Earliest MS-DOS Code
• Intel Loses $3.7 Billion and Wall Street is Thrilled
• From the Editor’s Desk: Conspiracy Theory ⭐️
• Microsoft, OpenAI Change Partnership Yet Again
• Amazon, OpenAI Expand Their AWS Partnership
• Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Add New Agentic AI Features for Paid Copilot Users
• Copilot in Outlook Can Now Proactively Manage your Inbox and Calendar
• Microsoft is Working to Fix Outlook.com Outage
• GitHub Copilot to Move to Usage-Based Billing on June 1
• Report: OpenAI is Working on AI Phone With Qualcomm and MediaTek
• Adobe Firefly AI Assistant is Available in Public Beta
• Anthropic Claude Now Connects With Affinity, Adobe, and Other Creator Solutions
• Microsoft Confirms Shift Back to Xbox Brand
• Xbox’s New Leadership Team Discusses Current-Gen Consoles Support, Game Pass Growth, More
• Microsoft Hasn’t Given Up on its Long-Awaited Xbox Mobile Store
• Valve’s New Steam Controller is Priced at $99 and Launches on May 4
• Microsoft Windows game card shop
• Win & Office
• Product Keys
• PowerToys 0.99 Arrives With Two New Utilities, Many Improvements
• M365 Copilot vs Claude Cowork with Sharon Weaver
• Reifel rye