Windows Weekly 1007

Microsoft released new Windows 11 Experimental builds. A new round of buyout offers has been presented to 25% of Microsoft's global workforce. Microsoft fixed a major Authenticator flaw for Android. And... no major XBOX news?

Windows

• Paul has confirmed a theory weʼve discussed about why Microsoft is really improving Windows 11 this year.
  Windows Insider Program
• Four new builds - Mobile device controls in Quick Settings, native Internet speed test.
  Corporate
• Microsoft offers buyout offers to almost 25 percent of its global workforce.
  Hardware
• This week in Paulʼs RTX Spark local AI coding fails - plus, the first step is realizing itʼs not you, itʼs the technology.
• Some advice for using AI.
  Software
• Microsoft fixes major Authenticator flaw on Android.
• PowerToys adds two new utilities, so many other updates.
• The Browser Company announces the inevitable end of Arc browser.

AI

• Anthropic files for IPO, warns that its work could end humanity.
• Canva releases its first AI model, for images.
• Opera brings local AI to its desktop web browsers with WebAI standard-to-be.
• Apple is bringing AI assistant to its iWorks apps - Apple copies Microsoft again!

XBOX and Gaming

• No real news this week, which is rare, but a few thoughts about the new Call of Duty.

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the Week: Yes, the Windows Setup workarounds still work in 26H2.
• Windows 11 version 26H2 arrived recently and Iʼve now tested the installer on multiple Arm64 and x64 PCs and the local account workarounds we all know and love still work. My advice: Use Rufus to create install media.
• App pick of the week: Mozilla Firefox
• With a year or so of major improvements to its web browser, Mozilla has launched a big ad campaign to get Firefox users back.
• RunAs Radio this week: PostgreSQL with Elizabeth Christensen
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Vardberg Born

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 1007 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft is Integrating Mobile Device Controls into Windows 11’s Quick Settings Menu
• Microsoft Offers Buyouts to About 60,000 Employees
• RTX Spark: Local AI Coding Fails, I’ve Had (More Than) a Few
• Windows 11, RTX Spark, and Local AI: It’s Not Me, It’s Windows
• Microsoft Fixed a Major Authenticator Security Flaw
• The Browser Company Retires its Arc Browser and Pushes Users to Dia
• Anthropic Lost $81 Billion in H1, Files for IPO
• Canva Releases Its First AI Model for Images
• Opera is Bringing Local AI to its Web Browsers with WebAI
• Apple Creator Studio Adds New AI Features for Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and the iWork Suite
• Mozilla Launches “Come Back to Firefox” Campaign
• PostgreSQL with Elizabeth Christensen
• Berenstens - Vardberg Born