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 978: Pre-Peated - "Copilot Is for Entertainment Purposes Only" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:19:19
Julia Liuson is leaving Microsoft. Liuson joined Microsoft in 1992, the same year as CEO Satya Nadella (she worked on Access at first). She helped build the first version of Visual Studio and was the first female corpora…
WW 976: Full Thurrottle - Microsoft's Plan To Save Windows in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:16:31
In 2015, Satya Nadella said that he wanted users to love Windows. But Microsoft has only enshittified Windows more aggressively since then. Paul wrote a book. And now Microsoft says it's changed, baby, and it's serious t…
WW 974: DIY Crocs - Project Helix Details From GDC 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:46:57
From bug-busting AI that's transforming Firefox to personal coding breakthroughs, the team breaks down how practical applications are cutting through skepticism and reshaping developer workflows. Plus, hear why lighter P…