Windows Weekly 827

Windows 11 LTSC, PC peripheral consolidation, CFRs

WE GOT ROADMAPS

• Microsoft updated the Windows roadmap. And there are two takeaways
• Windows 11 LTSC will finally arrive in the second half of 2024
• Windows 10 version 22H2 is the final version of Windows 10, and it will be supported with only security updates until October 14, 2025

Windows 11

• Last week, we talked about Week D monthly preview updates. This week, we need to talk about Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFRs). This is what happened with that Search “pill” late last year, not that Microsoft ever announced that, and it’s all about testing new features first in stable. Is the Insider Program in trouble?
• Microsoft is adding Rust to the Windows kernel 
• Insider Program: Microsoft is testing new Widget board improvements
• Web usage statistics show us how Edge has failed where Safari has succeeded
• Oops! A stupid new feature in Edge is causing Microsoft to report all your web browsing to Bing
• Intel revenues are circling the drain, but it promises a brighter future. And AMD fell hard too, with the same guidance

Microsoft 365

• One domain to rule them all and in the darkness bind them
• Microsoft Loop Preview now supports personal accounts
• Microsoft Designer arrives in open preview, offers DALL-E-powered AI graphics designs
• Links in Teams and (the new) Outlook will soon open in Edge no matter which browser you chose
• Microsoft is overhauling OneDrive for work and school on the web. You know, eventually
• Microsoft brings payments to SMBs in Teams with PayPal, Stripe, and... GoDaddy?

Surface

• Is Surface Duo dead? Was it ever not dead?
• Microsoft consolidates all of its keyboards and other PC peripherals under the Surface brand

Xbox

• Microsoft signs yet another 10-year Xbox deal, this time with an EU cloud streaming company
• Microsoft “fixes” the Xbox Dashboard. Again 
• Here are the (two) Games with Gold titles for May
• Redfall and other titles are heading to Xbox Game Pass in May
• Xbox launches a Game Pass friend referral program
• Sony has now sold 38.5 PlayStation 5 consoles

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Afraid of command lines? Use WingetUI
• App pick of the week: Brave Search
• RunAs this week: Large Language Models and Windows with Paul Thurrott
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Redbreast 12

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

• Transcripts: Windows Weekly Episode 827 Transcript

Links

• Windows 11 LTSC is Coming in Late 2024
• Microsoft Finally Gave Us What We Wanted … But With Windows 10 (Premium)
• We’re All Beta Testers Now (Premium)
• Microsoft is Rewriting Parts of the Windows Kernel in Rust
• Microsoft Brings Evolved Windows 11 Widgets Board to the Beta Channel
• What (Else) Usage Share Reveals About Microsoft Edge (Premium)
• Microsoft is Investigating Privacy Flaw in Edge’s Follow Creator Feature
• Intel Revenues Plummeted 36 Percent in Q1
• AMD Revenues Tumble 9 Percent on PC Market Downturn
• Microsoft Announces a Single Domain for Microsoft 365 Apps and Services
• Microsoft Loop iOS and Android Apps Now Support Personal Accounts
• Microsoft Designer Launches in Open Preview With New AI-Powered Features
• AI Art (Premium)
• Microsoft is Redesigning OneDrive for Work and School on the Web
• Microsoft is Redesigning OneDrive for Work and School on the Web
• Microsoft is Bringing Payments for Small Businesses to Teams
• Microsoft Has Reportedly Deprioritized Surface Duo Updates
• Microsoft Moves All Hardware Peripherals Under Surface
• Microsoft Signs 10-Year Deal With Cloud Gaming Platform Nware
• Microsoft Unveils New Xbox Dashboard Shipping Soon to Insiders
• Microsoft Loop iOS and Android Apps Now Support Personal Accounts
• Redfall, Ravenlok, and More Are Headed to Game Pass in May
• Microsoft Launches Xbox Game Pass Friend Referral Offer
• Sony Has Now Sold 38.5 Million PlayStation 5 Consoles
• Tip: Use WingetUI if Command Lines Aren’t Your Thing
• Google Brings Passkeys to Google Accounts
• Brave Search Ditches Bing, Goes Solo
• Large Language Models and Windows with Paul Thurrott
• Redbreast 12 Year Old