Get to know Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday updates and new features in Windows 11, such as improvements to the Start menu, File Explorer, and Copilot integration. They also cover new AI features coming to the Photos app for Copilot+ PCs and updates to the Microsoft Store. The discussion then shifts to developer conferences like Google I/O and Apple's WWDC, with a focus on their respective AI advancements and product strategies. Plus, the controversy surrounding Microsoft's decision to no longer host its Build conference in Seattle. Don't miss the discussion on the evolving role of the iPad as a potential threat to Surface devices due to recent software enhancements!

Windows 11

• June Patch Tuesday is here! Big changes for Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2
• New Start menu finally debuts in Dev and Beta - synchronized again for some reason
• Copilot+ PCs get Relight feature and natural language search in the Photos app
• The Microsoft Store gets a major update in the Beta channel
• And Canary is still a thing, no one knows why

Developer conference season draws to a close

• Build: Protests, problems, and more problems
• Microsoft pulls out of Seattle permanently
• Google I/O: Stunning array of AI announcements. But Android 16 is on a weird slow boil after a truncated development cycle
• Apple WWDC: Apple Intelligence? Look, Liquid Glass! Also, some actual advances across its newly unified platforms
• Look out Surface: The iPad is a real computer now - And it only took 15 years
• Microsoft, Google, and Apple all played to their strengths
• Between Windows 11 2xH2, Android 16, and iOS whatever - do the platform makers even know how to ship software anymore?

Xbox

• Microsoft unveils the first Xbox-branded third-party gaming handheld as part of its Xbox Games Showcase 2025 event - a few interesting things there as well - COD: BO7, Gears remake, Gears v.next delayed to 2026
• This heavily modified/optimized version of Windows 11 is coming to more gaming handhelds
• Looking to the future: What if this is literally the model for future Xbox console hardware? What if the next Xbox was a NUC?
• More Game Pass titles across platforms for the second half of June
• You can add 4 TB of storage to your Xbox, but it will cost you dearly
• Apple loses again in Epic v. Apple, Fortnite can stay in the App Store and developers can stop getting robbed by Apple
• The Nintendo Switch 2 launched this past week and is apparently the best-selling console of all time at launch
• PS5 controllers to support multiple Bluetooth connections

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Share Feature, image crunching
• App pick of the week: Dia Browser
• RunAs Radio this week: The Case for Telemetry with Liz Fong-Jones
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Glenlossie 26

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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Richard Campbell is out this week! Microsoft continues to make changes to Notepad as it tests 'lightweight text formatting' in Notepad. 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2 got preview updates. And Microsoft has reportedly delayed its first-party Xbox / Windows gaming handheld.

Windows

THE GREAT NOTEPAD CONTROVERSY OF 2025

• Microsoft announced it was testing "lightweight text formatting" in Notepad.
• This is one of MANY changes its made to Notepad in recent years.
• The community has collectively lost its s#$t - most thought this was RTF support - it's not.
• Everyone is wrong. In defense of Notepad.

24H2

• Last Tuesday, 22H2/23H2 got a preview update in Week D, but 24H2 did not.
• The 24H2 update appeared later, with a ton of new features as expected - it's possible an out-of-band update requirement is responsible for the delay.
• Now we know for sure what's coming on Patch Tuesday next week.
• Windows Insider updates
  • Today, in Canary: Energy saver in Intune, re-rollout of Phone companion, more.
  • Dev and Beta (24H2): Quick machine recovery, Phone Link improvements - Plus, more just in Dev.
  • Canary: Voice access and some bug fixes.
• Microsoft makes more DMA changes to Windows 11/Edge
  • We all need these changes.
  • Apple needs to pay attention.
  • Also, hilarious: Apple copies what Microsoft did in the 1990s. Twice.
• Earnings:
  • HP
  • Dell
  • Nvidia

Microsoft 365/AI

• Microsoft announces (internally) its third major AI reorg in 15 months - Too ... slow?
• Microsoft is killing password management/autofill in the Microsoft Authenticator app (announced previously, but now a warning is showing up in the app).
  • Good, you should use a third-party password manager anyway. Also, it's really an identity manager. Also, wake up.
  • When/why to use Microsoft Authenticator.
  • And why you should also use Google Authenticator.
• June 2025 update for the new Outlook adds tons of new features.
• Research and Analyst AI agents are now GA in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
• You can experiment with short, phone videos on your phone with Bing Video Creator.
• FU, OpenAI! NYT licenses its content to Amazon.
• Samsung may drop Gemini for Perplexity.

Xbox/Gaming

• Microsoft has reportedly delayed its first-party Xbox/Windows gaming handheld.
  • Xbox continues to be in a holding pattern on hardware - Theories include an Arm revolution in waiting and Amy Hood getting serious about trying to make this business profitable.
  • Are handheld gaming PCs the next Netbook or mini-tablet ... or this is market real, sustainable, and big enough to matter?
  • SteamDeck/Linux could be a problem here - related to this, Nvidia news.
• Microsoft reaches its first-ever agreement with a game studio union.
• Semi-related: J Allard is one of about 100 former Microsoft execs at Amazon now, and we have an update.

Tips and picks

• Tip of the week: You can replace OneDrive/Google Drive with a NAS.
  • My Synology NAS is better than expected as a Little Tech replacement for OneDrive and Google Drive. This changes everything
• App pick of the week: Microsoft Edge 137
  • Edge 137 has quietly emerged as the biggest release of this browser since its inception.
  • Edge 137 adds PIP and business improvements, removes Wallet Hub and some truly pointless features.
  • It adds Windows 11 App action support to PWAs.
  • It brings Game Assist for Game Bar to everyone.
• Photoshop for Android is here and it's free

Pa

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/935

Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott

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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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