WW 990: Don't Be Nostalgic for Stupid - The Doom & Gloom Watch

WW 990: Don't Be Nostalgic for Stupid - The Doom & Gloom Watch

Author: TWiT July 2, 2026 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 prices are going to go up again.

Windows

  • Microsoft quietly extends the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program one year to October 2027 for consumers

Windows Insider

  • Windows Update is transitioning to the new Windows Insider experience by default
  • Plus, five new builds across Beta, Experimental, Beta (26H1), Experimental (26H1), and Experimental (Future Platforms) — new Taskbar size setting is the much-needed new feature

Hardware

  • Apple raises prices on Macs, iPads, and more, easing pressure on PC makers
  • Microsoft quietly begins selling 8 GB Surface Pro/Laptop models
  • Microsoft reportedly kills Surface Go products right when we need them the most
  • The ASUS Zenbook A16 is nearly perfect, but it's unclear what you get with an X2 Elite Extreme chip

AI

  • HP partners with OpenAI for its agentic makeover
  • Anthropic seizes on the "good enough" AI movement with Sonnet 5
  • Proton Lumo 2.0 is here
  • Gemini personalized image creator is available for free in the US
  • Notion blames agentic AI for it killing Notion Mail

Xbox and Gaming
The 2026 Doom and Gloom Watch

  • Xbox Series X|S prices to go up again, by $150, on August 1 - and the 2 TB X is going away
  • Undead Labs and Arkane Lyon possible victims of pending closures
  • Latest rumor: Microsoft to layoff 2.5 percent of workforce next week - that's 5,500 people, less than expected, but that's because of the earlier voluntary buyouts, which apparently met internal expectations
  • Minecraft Bedrock edition gets closed captions
  • Sony will stop selling PS physical media in 2028

Tips and Picks

  • Tip of the week: Help or get out of the way
  • People who just complain aren't solving problems, they're just making noise and distracting us from the real problems.

App Pick of the Week: Snapdragon Control Panel

  • If you have a Windows 11 on Arm PC on Snapdragon X or X2, you need this app to make games run as well as possible.
  • Plus - Settings > System > Display > Graphics for Auto SR and other settings and whatever is in each game

RunAs Radio this week: AI-Accelerated Supply Chain Attacks with Mackenzie Duncan

Brown liquor pick of the week: Rupert's Exceptional Canadian Whisky

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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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…