Microsoft shakes up Windows Update with third-party app integration while AI features flood into Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool. Plus, the browser wars heat up as Arc pivots to agentic AI and Opera launches Neon, while Richard calls in from Cape Town with whiskey wisdom.
Windows 11
- It's Week D! Microsoft issues preview updates for 23H2/22H2 - Windows Key + C for Copilot, Drag tray, FAQs in Settings, Lock screen widget customization, IT admin controls for Taskbar
- Windows Insider Program
- Canary - Microsoft adds support for asymmetrical key encryption that won't be vulnerable to quantum computing attacks
- Beta (24H2) - New Microsoft 365 text actions in Click to Do, Lock screen widget customization, multiple dashboards in Widgets, App recommendations in Open with dialog, PC to PC migration experience in Windows Backup
- New Paint, Notepad, and Snipping Tool features in Canary and Dev - Paint sticker generator and Object select tool, Snipping Tool perfect screenshot and color picker, Notepad writing tools (draft from prompt, rewrite text, etc.)
- Now Windows Update is going to update third-party apps too
- As promised last week, Notion is now available in the Microsoft Store
- Signal will explicitly prevent Recall from screenshotting the app
- Related: Why is Lenovo doing so well financially?
- Also related: IDC predicts 4.1 percent growth in PC market this year to 274 million units
AI and Web Browsers, Oh My
- Browsers go agentic
- The Browser Company says it will no longer offer functional updates to Arc as it focuses on Dia
- Opera announces Neon, its agentic AI web browser
- Hand-wringing as OpenAI buys Jony Ive's newish company
- Duck.ai if you ask it nicely (and use the right model)
- Yes, Google is going to put ads in Search AI Mode
- Vivaldi 7.4 arrives for desktop and for mobile
- Firefox 139 is a minor update - maybe it's time to move to a 6 week schedule?
Xbox and Games
- Xbox's Copilot for Gaming Launches on iOS and Android in Beta
- FTC drops its bid to unwind Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard
- Sony discounts PS5 and peripherals temporary to undercut Switch 2
Tips and Picks
- Tip of the Week: 'Fear and Loathing in Seattle' and 'More Fear and Loathing in Seattle'
- App Pick of the Week: Instapaper
- Plus: Fences 6 is GA on Windows 11
- RunAs Radio This Week: How to Talk to Security with Sarah Young
- Brown Liquor Pick of the Week: Aerstone 10 Sea Cask
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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