Microsoft's latest round of layoffs hits Xbox Gaming hard as the company cuts approximately 9,000 jobs despite record profits. This week, Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell discuss the impact of these layoffs, Windows 11's new version naming, Microsoft Copilot coming to Mac, and dive deep into passkey security.

LAYOFFS
As expected, Microsoft began a massive round of layoffs across Xbox/Microsoft Gaming on Wednesday.

• The fiscal year started on Tuesday.
• These were originally going to happen a week or two earlier.
• 9,000 employees impacted across Microsoft - about 4 percent of workforce, Xbox/MSGaming was NOT hit hardest, Microsoft now says (on top of 6,000 in May).
• 10 percent of King being laid off.
• Carefully worded email from Phil Spencer requires some parsing.

It's Finally Official: 25H2 Is Next!

Microsoft finally admits that the Dev channel is testing Windows 11 version 25H2, which will arrive, as expected, around October

• This news came as part of another set of commingled Dev and Beta channel builds.
• 25H2 will be delivered as an enablement package, so it's a minor release technically.
• Dev and Beta are linked because 25H2 and 24H2 are linked: Each will get the same features, as started with 22H2/23H2 in late 2023.

Windows 11

Last week was Week D, but we didn't get preview updates per usual before WW

• That finally happened last Thursday - new preview updates for 24H2 and 23H2/22H2
• 24H2: Click to Do improvements, start of PC migration in Windows Backup, small icons in Taskbar, more.
• Windows Insider Preview: Those Dev/Beta builds noted above have the first implementation of third-party passkey. Microsoft Edge 138 is a pretty big update, with AI-enhanced history search and Copilot integration into the search box and new tab page.

AI

• Microsoft 365 Copilot is available on the Mac.
• Apple may cave and adopt Anthropic Claude and/or OpenAI ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence.
• After Coda's acquisition and $1 billion in funding, Grammarly acquires Superhuman to build an "AI-native" productivity suite that will take on Big Tech (Microsoft, Google) and Little Tech (Notion, Proton) alike.

Xbox and Gaming

• Xbox 360 dashboard is getting its first update in years.
• Halo Studios teases an October tease of the next Halo from the studio.
• New Game Pass titles for the first half of July - plus, COD: WWII turns up in Game Pass for the first time.
• Cursor sort of comes to the web and mobile - like Adobe Firefly on mobile, but for devs when "the mood strikes".

Tips and Picks

• Tip/App picks of the week: Cure Mac envy.
• The Mac is about to get even prettier. But Windows 11 can rise to this challenge.
  • The PC matters: Paul recommends Surface Laptop 7 as a MacBook Air alternative.
• Software? It's all free.
  • Full screen apps: Hide the Taskbar and touchpad gestures - also, use DS Clock if you need to see the time.
  • Transparent system menu? You can make the Taskbar transparent too.
  • Want Spotlight? No problem, we have Command Palette (an updated, more extensible PowerToys Run) in PowerToys.
• Bonus app pick: Inoreader for RSS feeds (and read later if you want).
• RunAs Radio This Week: More Azure Innovations with Mark Russinovich
• Brown Liquor Pick of the Week: Alberta Distillers 23 Year Old Rare Batch No. 1

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/939

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Sponsor:

• uscloud.com

Windows 10 EOL update

• Microsoft confirms that Windows 10 EOL is a go for October. But...
• Consumers can now get a free year of extra security updates instead of paying(!)
• Businesses can now enroll in extended security updates program
• Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 to get security updates through October 2028

Windows 11

• A few new features via the Insider Program
• Recall gets a new home page and some nice updates to hardware indicators in Dev and Beta
• We know there's a Settings AI agent coming to Windows 11. Apparently, it needs its own local AI model. And why this might be problematic
• Canary gets features we've seen elsewhere, plus an ISO - plus a new 24H2 build in Release Preview with features we can expect on June 8, Patch Tuesday
• Microsoft launches AI-powered learning app for Copilot+ PCs
• First Arm-based Chromebook Plus arrives with 50+ TOPS NPU, local AI features - using the chip that would make for a nice Copilot+ PC. But what's going on with Chrome OS?

Microsoft 365

• Microsoft Ignite registration is open
• Android users can now open shared Office documents without a Microsoft account

AI

• Copilot is struggling against ChatGPT, even in the enterprise
• Alexa+ is now available to over one million testers in the U.S. - but have you met even one of them?
• Android Studio gets Gemini-based Agent Mode in preview

Xbox and games

• First, the bad news: Yes, there are massive layoffs coming to Xbox next week - this is in addition to the sales org-related layoffs that are also coming, and probably more
• It's happening! Microsoft begins testing Steam integration with the Xbox app on Windows 11
• AMD expands a bit on the news that it's working with Microsoft on next-gen Xbox silicon
• June Xbox update arrives with more home screen customization, more mouse and keyboard support for more games, more "Stream your own games" titles (over 200 now)
• There's a limited edition Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition - move quick if you want one
• Hellblade II: Senua's Saga Enhanced arrives on PlayStation on August 12 - but there's more going on here, including "Xbox on PC" language

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Don't pay for Windows 10 extended security
• App pick of the week: Discord for Windows 11 on Arm
• RunAs Radio this week: Getting More from GitHub with April Yoho
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Drayman's Highveld

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.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
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No, it's not you. Windows Hello doesn't work in the dark anymore. For reasons. Say "Hello" to the Windows Hello controversy of the month!

Windows

• AI agent in Settings and Recall export experience in Dev/Beta channels - plus the old clock is back, baby
• July Patch Tuesday preview: App defaults (EEA only), Share images with visual preview, and some fixes for Windows 11 (The first one is coming to Windows 10 too - tied to the DMA news from last week.)
• Commentary: What Apple gets right in macOS 26 (and otherwise)

Surface

• One year with Surface Laptop 7
• Microsoft issues its first firmware updates for Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 in several months, sort of

Microsoft 365

• BBB complains about how Microsoft promotes Microsoft 365; Microsoft disagrees but will change the way it communicates about these features

AI

• OpenAI, Microsoft, and... the nuclear option??
• The Open AI Files provides an insider view of the company and finds it lacking
• Copilot Vision is GA in the United States - It's also free to try on mobile
• The Browser Company starts explaining Dia, finally

Xbox and Games

• Microsoft announces (extends?) partnership with AMD on future Xbox hardware - a one minute video with plenty to parse
• Next-gen hardware
• Multi-year partnership with AMD on Xbox consoles and gaming handhelds
• Compatibility with existing game libraries
• Working closely with the Windows team, ensure Windows is the number one games platform
• Microsoft shares Xbox Ally details with devs, a hint at the coming Windows-based Xbox platform requirements?
• More Game Pass titles for June, including an old favorite
• Minecraft gets three great updates
• Steam will run natively on Apple Silicon soon. Unlike all the games.

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Don't give in
• App pick of the week: Camtasia online
• RunAs Radio this week: SQL Server 2025 with Bob Ward
• Brown liquor pick of the week: The Macallan 18 Sherry Oak 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.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsor:

• uscloud.com