Mar 1st 2023
Windows Weekly 818
Antitrust Theater
New features in KB5022913 update, Microsoft's defense of Activision Blizzard bid
Records live every Wednesday at 2:00pm Eastern / 11:00am Pacific / 18:00 UTC.
New features in KB5022913 update, Microsoft's defense of Activision Blizzard bid
WE’RE HAVING A MOMENT HERE
- Microsoft released Moment 2 for Windows 11 version 22H2 on Tuesday. And go figure, but this time the rollout went as planned and was (mostly) communicated correctly.
- Users with eligible PCs running Windows 11 version 22H2 can install the February 2023 optional non-security preview release today by visiting Windows Update settings (Settings > Windows Update) and selecting Check for updates. The update will then become "officially" available on March 14, 2023 (Patch Tuesday).
- Search (Taskbar). Can be configured to hide, icon only, icon and label (pill), search box. Bing AI integration in search so you can start a chat from your PC desktop. (It opens in the browser.) Check this out, it uses your default browser! But the Bing AI integration is non-existent.
- Updated UX for notification area (formerly system tray) - can now arrange the icons, including those in the hidden pop-up.
- Touch-optimized Taskbar for 2-in-1s. Automatic when keyboard removed.
- File Explorer: Faster search and recommended local and cloud files in Home.
- Notepad has tabs.
- AI-powered recommended content (files) in Start for managed orgs only.
- Full-screen widgets.
- Windows 365 app is now GA in the Store.
- Coming soon: iPhone integration with the Phone Link app. Messages (with limitations, not true iMessage), phone calls, notifications.
- Windows Studio Effects - Find and adjust quick settings (eye contact, background blur, voice focus, and automatic framing) directly from the taskbar. Requires an NPU.
- Snipping Tool enhancements – Built-in screen recorder with autosave functionality
- Energy use recommendations – Greater control over defaults plus tips to help decrease energy usage
- New accessibility features – Seamless switching between Narrator and other screen readers when using braille display; voice commands work across apps and File Explorer
- After 18 months of Windows 11, one thing is clear: Windows 11 is designed almost exclusively for consumers, not business users, and this (and the lack of an LTSC version) explains why the enterprise has ignored this release so far.
Windows 11
- Paul finally had a chance to test Windows 11 on Arm in Parallels Desktop on the Mac in multiple configurations
- Because it dumps an ISO in your Downloads folder, Paul was able to rescue a WOA-based PC from the Insider Program
- Microsoft offers Windows Insiders in Beta a temporary “off-ramp” (read: magic window) to get out of the program
- HP reported an 18.8 percent revenue decline in most recent quarter. It too had some small positives in its estimates for the future.
Xbox
- Microsoft will win the battle for Activision Blizzard because it is right and there is no logical reason to deny them
- New report claims Microsoft has sold 18.5 million Xbox Series X|S consoles
- PC Game Pass comes to 40 new markets in preview
- Xbox Games with Gold gets three new titles in March
- Microsoft releases new content for Flight Simulator and Forza Horizon 5
Tips & Picks
- Tip of the week: Learn a new skill
- App pick of the week: Rufus
- This week on RunAs: Reliability Management with Leslie Cardero
- Brown liquor pick of the week: Bowmore 15
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Links
- Microsoft’s AI-Powered Bing Comes to the Taskbar with Major Windows 11 Update
- Windows 11 Phone Link App Adds iPhone Support in Preview
- Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of (Premium)
- Hands-On: Windows 11 on Arm with Parallels on MacOS
- I Finally Got an Arm PC Out of the Insider Program (Premium)
- Microsoft Finally Offers a Way Out for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel
- HP Revenues Fell 18 Percent in Previous Quarter
- Good Defense Wins the Game (Premium)
- Microsoft Has Reportedly Sold 18.5 Million Xbox Series X|S Consoles
- Microsoft Launches its PC Game Pass in Preview in 40 New Markets
- Microsoft’s Games with Gold for March Include 3 Games
- Microsoft Announces New Content for Flight Simulator and Forza Horizon 5
- Conversant
- Create bootable USB drives the easy way
- Reliability Management with Lesley Cordero