Windows 10 has officially reached a decade in the ever-accelerating world of operating systems—a milestone that offers both cause for celebration and a candid assessment of progress, pitfalls, and the shifting sands of the personal computing landscape. A recent episode of “Windows Weekly,” hosted by Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott—with Chris Hoffman standing in for Richard Campbell—used this anniversary as a springboard for a sweeping conversation. The resultant discussion unflinchingly grappled with the trajectory of Windows, from its celebrated re-centering after Windows 8’s missteps to the present AI-powered ambitions of Microsoft 365 and Windows 11. Layered into this retrospective were pointed critiques, moments of levity, and thoughtful predictions on what’s next for both Redmond and its millions of dedicated users.
Ten years ago, Microsoft’s release of Windows 10 marked a deliberate recovery from the controversial directions taken by Windows 8 and 8.1. Windows 7 users, wary of change and eager for stability, embraced Windows 10 as the spiritual successor they’d been waiting for. Notably absent, however, was the fanfare of major launches past. In fact, the lack of a blockbuster event seemed to signal a shift away from Windows as a cultural phenomenon—a theme that would become increasingly evident in the years ahead.
Another casualty of this era was trust. Microsoft’s “one billion users” milestone, famously missed and publicly miscommunicated (thanks to Terry Myerson’s overoptimistic expectations), fueled skepticism about the company’s direction and honesty. Similarly, the dream of Universal Apps and “One Windows” fell flat, with Windows Phone and HoloLens each failing to ignite users’ imaginations or developer enthusiasm. The Windows Store, rather than becoming a central hub, ended up largely ignored—a missed opportunity that still echoes today.
Most crucially, Windows 10 succeeded in healing the wounds left by Windows 8’s divisive touchscreen-first interface. Over time, as Microsoft honed its WaaS delivery, the OS reached a new baseline of reliability—a testament to iterative improvement, even if it came at the cost of some user autonomy and clarity around update cycles.
In a move both symbolic and practical, Paul Thurrott made the Windows 10 Field Guide available for free, marking the anniversary and acknowledging the continued relevance of the platform for consumers and professionals yet to make the leap to Windows 11.
On Android, the “Link to Windows” app is receiving notable upgrades, strengthening the cross-platform story and further blurring the boundaries between mobile and desktop productivity.
However, glimpses of Microsoft’s bolder ambitions did surface. Real-time expressions in Copilot were likened to the “return of Clippy”—a callback to the animated assistant that became a byword for both nostalgia and annoyance. Whether Copilot will rehabilitate the legacy of in-app assistants remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Microsoft’s vision for AI in Windows extends far beyond incremental productivity gains.
There’s both excitement and risk in this approach. Microsoft’s rapid feature delivery ensures it remains at the crest of the AI wave, but also exposes it to the pitfalls of overpromising and underdelivering—a narrative reinforced by the less-than-stellar reception to “Recall.”
One tantalizing tip for Samsung users: downloading Perplexity through the Galaxy Store currently unlocks a free year of Perplexity Pro, providing access to advanced AI features for those in the know. Deals like this underscore how alliances and platform partnerships are increasingly shaping the AI competition as much as technology itself.
Meanwhile, the July Xbox Update delivers, as always, incremental improvements, but the consensus remains: the real breakthrough in gaming will require deeper platform integration and a more cohesive user experience. The onus is on Microsoft to prove that its vision for “everywhere” gaming extends beyond talking points into tangible benefits for players.
On the app front, Auto Dark Mode was highlighted as a “perfect tool”—a rare endorsement in the tech press. The panel argued that features like this, simple yet deeply practical, should be built into Windows natively. Such community-driven utilities often outpace official enhancements, highlighting both the vibrancy and the utility gaps in the Windows ecosystem.
For those inclined to experiment, the episode pointed out that Perplexity Pro is currently available free for a year via the Samsung Galaxy Store—an example of the unexpected perks and synergies emerging from the intersection of device makers and AI startups.
The enthusiasm of “Windows Weekly’s” hosts for the platform’s future was tempered by hard-won skepticism. Their advice? Cut through the hype, trust practical experience over marketing, and embrace the tools—whether official or community-driven—that get the job done.
Windows may have lost a bit of its old magic, but, as the panel concluded, its next era is likely to be shaped less by revolution and more by relentless, incremental progress. And for most users, that’s not a bad thing at all.
Source: Thurrott.com Windows Weekly 943: Five Paperclips
A Decade of Windows 10: Course Corrections and Compromises
Ten years ago, Microsoft’s release of Windows 10 marked a deliberate recovery from the controversial directions taken by Windows 8 and 8.1. Windows 7 users, wary of change and eager for stability, embraced Windows 10 as the spiritual successor they’d been waiting for. Notably absent, however, was the fanfare of major launches past. In fact, the lack of a blockbuster event seemed to signal a shift away from Windows as a cultural phenomenon—a theme that would become increasingly evident in the years ahead.“Windows as a Service”: A Double-Edged Sword
Perhaps the most consequential shift brought about by Windows 10 was the pivot to “Windows as a Service” (WaaS). On paper, perpetual updates promised quicker fixes, fresher features, and a platform that could nimbly adapt to changing user needs and security threats. But as Thurrott and Hoffman highlighted, the reality soon became messy. Though stability gradually improved, the format also kicked off what they labeled the “enshittification” of Windows—an era characterized by an uptick in ads, bundled “crapware,” and aggressive telemetry. Some privacy concerns, they note, were overblown by media coverage or misunderstood, but Microsoft’s heavy-handed data collection did erode goodwill among users and tech press alike.Another casualty of this era was trust. Microsoft’s “one billion users” milestone, famously missed and publicly miscommunicated (thanks to Terry Myerson’s overoptimistic expectations), fueled skepticism about the company’s direction and honesty. Similarly, the dream of Universal Apps and “One Windows” fell flat, with Windows Phone and HoloLens each failing to ignite users’ imaginations or developer enthusiasm. The Windows Store, rather than becoming a central hub, ended up largely ignored—a missed opportunity that still echoes today.
Quiet Wins: Linux, Package Management, and Stability
Despite these setbacks, Windows 10 was hardly a lost cause. Hoffman and Thurrott stress that the introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) proved transformative for developers and system administrators, lowering barriers between Windows and the open-source ecosystem. Meanwhile, WinGet, Microsoft’s package manager, while less visible to the average user, quietly empowered power users and automation workflows, albeit still underutilized by the mainstream.Most crucially, Windows 10 succeeded in healing the wounds left by Windows 8’s divisive touchscreen-first interface. Over time, as Microsoft honed its WaaS delivery, the OS reached a new baseline of reliability—a testament to iterative improvement, even if it came at the cost of some user autonomy and clarity around update cycles.
In a move both symbolic and practical, Paul Thurrott made the Windows 10 Field Guide available for free, marking the anniversary and acknowledging the continued relevance of the platform for consumers and professionals yet to make the leap to Windows 11.
Windows 11: Modernization and Controversy
Turning the conversation toward the present day, the panel spotlighted Windows 11 and its ongoing evolution. While Windows 11 builds on the stability of its predecessor, it is far from immune to criticism. “Recall,” one of Microsoft’s most hyped features, was dismissed by the hosts as “boring and not useful,” especially when compared to the lofty marketing campaign that preceded it. This disconnect between hype and reality remains a persistent irritant for enthusiasts who expect tangible leaps forward in usability and productivity.Rust and Driver Modernization
A notable technical advancement: Microsoft’s adoption of the Rust programming language for Surface device drivers. The company’s aspiration to have all Windows drivers written in Rust—a safety-focused language designed to eliminate entire classes of memory bugs—is a move applauded by industry experts. Security professionals see this as a positive step toward mitigating a long-running source of vulnerabilities in the Windows ecosystem, and it aligns Microsoft with modern best practices embraced by giants like Google and Mozilla.Subtle, But Influential, Ecosystem Changes
The episode also detailed incremental, but important, improvements trickling into the Windows Insider builds. On the development side, branches Dev (25H2) and Beta (24H2) are experimenting with agents designed to enhance the settings experience, UI tweaks like “Click to Do,” and search refinements. While Canary builds received only bug fixes, such “slow news weeks” quietly underpin the OS’s increasing reliability—a trait frequently undervalued until things go wrong.On Android, the “Link to Windows” app is receiving notable upgrades, strengthening the cross-platform story and further blurring the boundaries between mobile and desktop productivity.
Apps and Experiments: Recall, Copilot, and the Return of Clippy
The team did not shy away from dissecting Microsoft’s ongoing efforts in AI, particularly around Copilot and “Recall.” While Copilot’s rollout in Edge browser and Windows 11 suggests a long-term play to integrate large language models into everyday computing, the real-world usefulness of these features remains uneven. Paul Thurrott observed that, compared to Perplexity Comet—a rising AI-powered web browser—Microsoft’s Copilot mode still feels underpowered. The conversation underscored just how fluid and experimental the AI space has become, with new contenders appearing almost weekly and existing players rapidly iterating on features.However, glimpses of Microsoft’s bolder ambitions did surface. Real-time expressions in Copilot were likened to the “return of Clippy”—a callback to the animated assistant that became a byword for both nostalgia and annoyance. Whether Copilot will rehabilitate the legacy of in-app assistants remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that Microsoft’s vision for AI in Windows extends far beyond incremental productivity gains.
Microsoft 365: The AI Race and Perplexity’s Advantage
Microsoft continues its aggressive push to imbue every product in its 365 suite with generative AI. The introduction of “Copilot Mode” in Edge, and the subsequent comparison to Perplexity Comet (which the hosts unanimously preferred), illustrates both the momentum and perils of being first in a gold rush. The technology is moving so fast that features deemed innovative a month ago frequently feel outdated overnight.There’s both excitement and risk in this approach. Microsoft’s rapid feature delivery ensures it remains at the crest of the AI wave, but also exposes it to the pitfalls of overpromising and underdelivering—a narrative reinforced by the less-than-stellar reception to “Recall.”
One tantalizing tip for Samsung users: downloading Perplexity through the Galaxy Store currently unlocks a free year of Perplexity Pro, providing access to advanced AI features for those in the know. Deals like this underscore how alliances and platform partnerships are increasingly shaping the AI competition as much as technology itself.
Layoffs and Leadership: Satya Nadella’s Quiet Response
No major tech episode would be complete without mention of ongoing layoffs. This week’s shake-up at Microsoft was addressed, if perfunctorily, by CEO Satya Nadella in a published email to employees. The hosts noted that the communiqué sidestepped the human realities of staff cutbacks, opting instead for generic reassurances. Such communication styles—meant to steady markets and sidestep controversy—underscore a persistent tension between corporate optimism and the lived experience of employees. As the tech sector continues to adjust to the post-pandemic economy, the question remains: can Microsoft maintain its innovative edge while nurturing the culture that got it there?Xbox, Gaming, and the PC Handheld Boom—Or Bust?
Shifting gears, the conversation moved to gaming. Microsoft plans a major showing at Gamerscom, bringing not only blockbuster titles but a new focus on hardware: specifically, the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. This entry into the burgeoning handheld gaming PC market comes at a time when competition is fierce—and pricing wars even fiercer. Notably, PC OEMs are reportedly struggling to match the aggressive pricing of Valve’s Steam Deck while maintaining the hallmark Windows experience. Recent reviews, such as the PCI’s critique of the Lenovo Legion Go S, have called out nagging issues with Windows’ suitability for handheld gaming—suggesting that while the hardware race heats up, the software story remains half-baked.Meanwhile, the July Xbox Update delivers, as always, incremental improvements, but the consensus remains: the real breakthrough in gaming will require deeper platform integration and a more cohesive user experience. The onus is on Microsoft to prove that its vision for “everywhere” gaming extends beyond talking points into tangible benefits for players.
Tips, Picks, and the Evolving Windows Toolbox
True to form, the episode closed with a flurry of practical advice and reader engagement. Chris Hoffman and Paul Thurrott announced their partnership on a new newsletter, promising time-saving tips delivered every Friday. For those still on Windows 10, tools like Snipping Tool’s OCR and PowerToys Text Extractor were recommended as powerful alternatives to “Click to Do”—and, crucially, they don’t require an NPU (neural processing unit) or cutting-edge hardware to function well. This democratizes next-gen productivity for users who haven’t upgraded their systems—an important nod to Microsoft’s substantial Windows 10 install base.On the app front, Auto Dark Mode was highlighted as a “perfect tool”—a rare endorsement in the tech press. The panel argued that features like this, simple yet deeply practical, should be built into Windows natively. Such community-driven utilities often outpace official enhancements, highlighting both the vibrancy and the utility gaps in the Windows ecosystem.
For those inclined to experiment, the episode pointed out that Perplexity Pro is currently available free for a year via the Samsung Galaxy Store—an example of the unexpected perks and synergies emerging from the intersection of device makers and AI startups.
Analysis: The State—and Fate—of Windows
A decade after Windows 10’s release, Microsoft stands at a crossroads. The Windows that emerged from the ashes of Windows 8 was a product deeply shaped by user feedback, course corrections, and a willingness to acknowledge past mistakes. Yet, as “Windows Weekly” made clear, many of the challenges that emerged alongside “Windows as a Service”—from piecemeal ads and third-party bloatware to nagging user distrust—have simply migrated to new fronts.Strengths
- Iterative Improvement: Windows 10 and 11 demonstrate Microsoft’s capacity for adaptation. Stability and security have generally improved year over year, a testament to the efficacy (however bumpy) of WaaS.
- Developer Empowerment: Features like WSL and WinGet are not just bullet points—they have meaningfully changed how power users and IT professionals interact with the platform.
- AI Leadership—With Caveats: Microsoft is betting big on Copilot and generative AI, integrating cutting-edge capabilities directly into both consumer and enterprise products. The breadth of this push remains impressive, even if depth lags behind certain upstarts.
- Ecosystem Expansion: The strengthening of ties between Windows devices and Android, as well as surface-level improvements to settings and search, point to a thoughtful—if understated—evolution of the Windows experience.
Risks
- Feature Fatigue: The relentless pace of new features, especially in AI, risks overwhelming average users while satisfying only a sliver of the base with truly innovative solutions.
- UI/UX Drift: As new designs and utilities pile up—some native, some third-party, some half-baked (like Recall)—the risk of fragmentation and inconsistency grows.
- Loss of Trust: The legacy of heavy telemetry, opaque communication around privacy, and the persistent creep of advertising remain sore spots among enthusiasts and professionals.
- Gaming Dilemma: While hardware innovation continues briskly, Windows’ suitability for gaming handhelds lags, threatening Microsoft’s aspirations to dominate both the desktop and portable spaces.
- Organizational Fatigue: Frequent layoffs, shifts in strategy, and ambivalent executive communication may sap morale and disrupt talent pipelines at a critical juncture.
The Road Ahead: Lessons for Microsoft and Its Users
If ten years of Windows 10 taught Microsoft anything, it is that no single release defines the brand. What matters most is adaptability—an ability as much cultural as technical. As Redmond prepares for whatever “Windows 12” may bring, the lessons of the recent past are clear: Listen to users, prioritize stability, and remember that innovation for its own sake rarely trumps user empowerment.The enthusiasm of “Windows Weekly’s” hosts for the platform’s future was tempered by hard-won skepticism. Their advice? Cut through the hype, trust practical experience over marketing, and embrace the tools—whether official or community-driven—that get the job done.
Windows may have lost a bit of its old magic, but, as the panel concluded, its next era is likely to be shaped less by revolution and more by relentless, incremental progress. And for most users, that’s not a bad thing at all.
Source: Thurrott.com Windows Weekly 943: Five Paperclips
