25H2 Forced Upgrades Explained

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 corporate vice president at Microsoft. Liuson has been president of Microsoft's Developer Division since 2021. Also, curious about life on the other side of the fence? Paul has a tip for finding games that are optimized for Linux. Plus, Chrome joins the 21st century with vertical tabs and a real reading view. Just be sure to install those anti-tracking extensions.

Windows

• Microsoft promises more native apps for Windows 11, but... which apps? New apps? Replacements for existing apps?
• Thanks for making us revisit the web app vs. native app thing yet again, Microsoft
• Windows 11 version 25H2 is now being pushed to all compatible PCs
• Compatibility milestone, not a big deal because 24H2/25H2 features are identical, same underlying codebase - but some will complain that Microsoft is "forcing" 25H2 on them
• Secure Boot certificate notifications are now available so you can see where your PC is at
• Another month, another emergency Windows Update patch
• New Dev/Beta builds add Xbox Mode, new haptic effects, etc., plus a new Canary build with features we've seen before
• Microsoft is taking the Insider Program on the road
• Component shortages trigger another Raspberry Pi price hike, but also a promise for the future
• The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition processor will be available from leading retailers starting Apr. 22 with a retail price of $899

AI

• Microsoft's terms of service for Copilot say it's for entertainment purposes only. Yes, really.
• Microsoft AI releases new foundational models for transcription, voice, and images
• Word on iPhone gets Copilot co-create capabilities - used to be AI Mode, you need a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription
• Anthropic has hired away a key AI executive from Microsoft, and what he has to say about the opportunity is interesting
• Anthropic brings Computer Use to Windows
• Google: Seriously, we are not training AI with your Gmail
• Google AI Pro plans now offer 5 TB of cloud storage, yikes

Xbox & gaming

• Xbox is refreshing the look of achievements on the console
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, more coming to Game Pass this month
• Was this the best COD ever? In search of greatness
• Also: Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox Cloud as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and playable day one with Xbox Game Pass
• Xbox will hold FanFest events around the world

Tips & picks

• Tip of the week: So you want to try gaming on Linux
• App pick of the week: Google Chrome
• RunAs Radio this week: Securing AI Agents with Niall Merrigan
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Corowa Peated Single Barrel 521

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

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