WW 994: The Best Kind of Correct - Can Windows Survive the 8GB RAM Comeback?

WW 994: The Best Kind of Correct - Can Windows Survive the 8GB RAM Comeback?

Author: TWiT July 29, 2026 Duration: 2:17:14

There's been so much drama over what options Microsoft will allow for the Copilot key. But you don't have to wait for a future Windows update; you can remap any key with Microsoft's own Keyboard Manager PowerToy. More people should take advantage of this. Also, Paul just finished his major 2026 rewrite of the Windows 11 Field Guide! Every single chapter was rewritten or consolidated, with several new chapters added. Lastly, the OG Halo remake is a great reminder of how good this series was in the beginning. And it looks and plays terrific.

Windows

  • Week D updates arrive on time this month
  • Windows Hello ESS support for external fingerprint readers, many small improvements
  • Experimental (Future Platforms) finally gets an update, but it's just the features we saw elsewhere first
  • Several in-box app updates for July, nothing major
  • Microsoft convinces LG to drop the McAfee ads, but HP's Bing ads are A-OK
  • Chris tested Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM and the experience is not great
  • Paul has a Wildcat-based laptop waiting for him in PA
  • Microsoft is testing a "Do nothing" option for the Copilot key
  • Your Windows 11 PC now has a OneDrive Photos app for some reason
  • Opera One gets vertical tabs, deeper Google Lens integration

Earnings

  • Google/Alphabet - net income of $28 billion on $120 billion in revenues, but negative cash flow for the first time in the company's history
  • Intel - net loss of $11 million, no Foundry customers leaves Wall Street swooning for some reason

AI

  • Microsoft begins shifting to its own MAI models, but the forward progress is minimal
  • NVIDIA, Microsoft, more team up for AI empire, er, Alliance
  • Anthropic launches Claude Opus 5

Xbox and gaming

  • Halo: Campaign Evolved is here
  • XBOX went down for the count for most of the day on Monday. But disc-based games still worked
  • XBOX begins testing ad-supported Cloud Gaming
  • Ubisoft game purchases on Xbox now carry over to PC for free
  • Luna comes to Prime Video app

Tips and picks

Hosts: Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott

Guest: Chris Hoffman

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 1002: Only B & D Matter - Big Reorganization & Job Cuts Within XBOX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
WW 998: Laptop Fort - Bill Gates Warns About the Dark Side of AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:42:40
Microsoft tries to prove Windows on ARM is ready for prime time, but behind the PR push, unresolved questions about compatibility, branding, and a tepid market threaten to derail the company's ambitions. Also, PowerToys…