Windows Weekly 985

Paul has been testing various Linux distributions and other Windows alternatives for months as part of a Switcher series. The zen of Linux can mostly apply to Windows, too: Install and manage software with package managers, and embrace the command line, especially. And if you’re going to use a local account, at least be smart about it. Also, Vivaldi 8.0 looks awesome and appears to deliver what Firefox is promising with its Nova UI. Plus, Discord has a native app for Windows 11 on Arm now.

Windows

• Week D arrives with a surprise: 24H2/26H1 are aligned and getting the same new features
• Shared audio with BT LE, multi-app camera support, many improvements - but the big deal may be the performance and reliability improvements across the board
• This is the next Patch Tuesday, today
• Friday builds - new accessibility features in Experimental and Beta, more
• Microsoft CMO Yusuf Mehdi to leave company after an astonishing 35-year run - started in Windows, but with IE, Bing & MSN, Interactive Entertainment (Xbox), Windows and Devices, and then a SLT position before the end. Incredible run. Paul has three milestones and one throughline to share.
• Lenovo revenues surge 27 percent to $21.6 billion
• NVIDIA revenues really surged 85 percent to $81.6 billion

AI/dev

• Google adds Google Drive sync to NotebookLM, and moves preferred sources into AI Mode and AI Overviews
• Saying no to AI: DuckDuckGo usage surges in the wake of Google I/O’s AI tsunami
• OpenAI releases ChatGPT plugin for PowerPoint
• .NET MAUI to get Material You support for Android in .NET 10
• Follow-up on last week’s vibe coding adventures: Paul talked about this last week, but a lot has happened since then. The Android app creation capability in Google AI Studio is live. A few thoughts on vibe coding with Android Studio, Claude Code, and more

Xbox and gaming

• XBOX—and, yes, it’s XBOX now—has an official merchandise store to go alongside all its other official merchandise stores
• The Steam Deck is back in stock! Also, it’s 40 percent more expensive

Tips & picks

• Tip of the week: Understanding the zen of Linux can help a Windows user too
• App pick of the week: A grab-bag of apps for Windows
• RunAs Radio this week: Team Productivity using Loop with Karinne Bessette
• Brown liquor pick of the week: John Sleeman & Sons Rye Whisky

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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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• Transcripts: Windows Weekly 985 Transcript

Links

• Microsoft Issues the Week D Preview Updates for Windows 11
• Microsoft Makes New Windows Accessibility Features Available for Insider Testing
• Microsoft’s Consumer Chief Marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi Announces His Departure
• Lenovo Revenues Up 27 Percent to $21.6 Billion
• Nvidia Revenues Surged 85 Percent to $81.6 Billion
• Google Search Now Supports Preferred Sources in AI Mode and AI Overviews
• DuckDuckGo Usage Surges Since Google I/O 26
• OpenAI Launches ChatGPT for PowerPoint Add-in in Beta
• MAUI is Getting Android Material 3 Support in .NET 10
• And Now I’ve Vibe Coded a Native Android Markdown App ⭐
• A Weekend of Vibe Coding ⭐
• Xbox Launches a Merchandise Store
• Valve’s Steam Deck OLED is Back in Stock, With an Over 40% Price Increase
• Switcher 2026
• Switcher 2026: The Zen of Linux ⭐
• Switcher 2026: Minimizing the Microsoft in Windows 11 ⭐
• Vivaldi 8.0 Arrives With an Impressive New Unified Design
• Discord Launches Native App for Qualcomm-Powered PCs
• Switcher 2026: The Quest for a Notion Replacement ⭐
• Team Productivity using Loop with Karinne Bessette
• John Sleeman & Sons Rye Whisky
• Tolaria