WW 1002: Only B & D Matter - Big Reorganization & Job Cuts Within XBOX

WW 1002: Only B & D Matter - Big Reorganization & Job Cuts Within XBOX

Author: TWiT September 24, 2026 Duration: 2:32:53

Windows

  • Week D arrives, and this time we get updates - a preview of Octoberʼs Patch Tuesday
    • 24H2/25H2 Minor update with new Copilot key remaps, Wi-Fi in WRE, more
    • 26H1 Major update that brings all new 26H2 features—Start, Taskbar, Search —to 26H1. Finally.

Windows Insider Program

  • Four new builds last Friday - Biggest change is Cloud Rebuild in WRE (in Experimental) gaining new capabilities.

Software

  • 30 years ago, Dave Plummer created Task Manager, and now heʼs vibe-coded a modern version that works on Mac and Linux too.
  • Stardock announces a new Windows 11 utility called Snipboard.
  • Clipchamp does AI upscaling to 4K now

Hardware

  • The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15p Aura Edition is nearly perfect, with 11 hours of battery life.
  • Googlebook revealed!
    • Questions answered - $899 starting price is much lower than expected.
    • This is Androidʼs Copilot+ PC moment - An AI PC? What a concept!

AI/dev

  • Microsoft announces a OneDrive + Copilot event in October - Also a separate Copilot event before then.
  • Financial Times reveals internal OpenAI prediction of $278 billion in losses over the next five years.
  • NYT copyright case discovery reveals what Microsoft and OpenAI really think about stealing content.
  • Anthropic merges Cowork into chat, adds Docs and Slides.
  • Google Labs CC turned into Gemini Daily Brief, so now itʼs an AI agent for families.
  • Google opens up its Home smart home ecosystem to other AI assistants.
  • XAML.io is a web-based vibe coding IDE for .NET apps and it looks amazing.

XBOX and Gaming

  • A big reorg and a small number of layoffs at XBOX sets off a new round of hand wringing.

Tip and Picks

  • Tip of the week: Get Auto SR on Panther Lake-based laptops
  • Auto SR was designed to make gaming viable on Windows 11 on Arm/Snapdragon X/X2, but now itʼs available on Intel Core Ultra Series 3-based PCs and it is worth experimenting with.

App Pick of the Week: Affinity

  • Possibly the greatest free app in existence, Affinity just got 60 new features and is even better.

Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott

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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For anyone following the vast and often intricate ecosystem of Microsoft, Windows Weekly (Video) offers a consistently insightful look behind the curtain. Hosted by Leo Laporte of TWiT, the conversation is driven by veteran Microsoft insiders Paul Thurrott and Richard Campbell, whose combined expertise provides context that goes far beyond surface-level news. While the name suggests a focus on the operating system, this podcast truly serves as a comprehensive analysis of the entire company, from its consumer-facing products like Xbox and Surface to its massive enterprise cloud services and ambitious AI initiatives. Each episode feels like a detailed briefing, unpacking the strategies, successes, and stumbles of the tech giant. The video format adds a valuable layer, allowing you to see the hosts' reactions and follow along with screen shares when they delve into technical previews or software updates. You'll hear informed speculation, historical perspective, and critical debate about Microsoft's direction, making it an essential resource for IT professionals, developers, and dedicated enthusiasts who want to understand not just what is happening, but why. This is the kind of deep dive that turns complex topics into engaging discussion, offering the only Microsoft analysis you'll likely need. For those who prefer an uninterrupted experience, ad-free audio and video feeds are available through Club TWiT.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 33

Windows Weekly (Video)
Podcast Episodes
WW 992: Gassy Jack - Largest Patch Tuesday in Microsoft History! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32:12
Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday just shattered records with hundreds of bug fixes, and AI is the force behind the surge. Are we witnessing the beginning of a safer Windows, or is this flood of vulnerabilities the new…
WW 990: Don't Be Nostalgic for Stupid - The Doom & Gloom Watch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:39:55
Windows 10's Extended Security Update program quietly gets extended for another year for consumers. Microsoft reportedly kills Surface Go products & is now selling 8 GB Surface Pro & Laptop models. And Xbox Series X & S…
WW 989: Deer Hate MSDN - Point-in-Time Restore Arrives for Windows 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:41:44
Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledg…
WW 988: Bubbleable - XBOX Could Be Facing a Moment of Reckoning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:51:13
With major leadership shakeups and rumors of studio closures, the future of XBOX inside Microsoft suddenly looks uncertain. Is this the beginning of a Game Pass overhaul, or could XBOX face an outright split from the com…
WW 986: Liminal AI - RTX Spark, Project Solara, Scout, & Much More! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32:00
Build 2026 is underway in San Francisco this week, and it started with a big, overly-long keynote as always. And Computex is this week, too. There's a lot going on, and some of it is fascinating. Plus, WWDC is next week…