As the latest Patch Tuesday rolls out across the Windows ecosystem, a sense of transformation hangs thick in the air—a feeling that’s not only shaped by new updates but also by an era-defining shift in PC usage, AI integration, and the restless, sometimes fractious, loyalty of the Windows and Xbox communities. This week, discussions from the Windows Weekly podcast (episode 940, “The Donkey Always Wins”) cut to the heart of these transitions, offering both hard news and a critical lens into where Microsoft is leading its users, and which missteps still call for scrutiny.
As has become routine, Microsoft’s monthly Patch Tuesday brings a blend of stability, incremental innovation, and, at times, controversy. This cycle is marked by a manageable set of updates, especially notable given the pace and ambition of the past year.
For Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs can now tap into an “Ask Copilot” action for Click to Do—a feature illustrating Microsoft’s persistent drive to blur the boundaries between user interface and intelligent assistance. Version 24H2 introduces smaller Taskbar icons and a “screen curtain” feature for Narrator, targeting both accessibility and customization. A revamped home page for Settings, aimed at commercial customers, is an attempt to streamline management for IT professionals—a demographic that Microsoft has been acutely attentive to, given the enterprise dominance of older operating systems.
With versions 24H2 and 23H2, the Windows Share function showcases a preview window when dealing with web content, and the Windows Backup tool signals the beginning of a migration feature, potentially easing cross-device transitions and system refreshes. Additionally, EU users will see further compliance tweaks, mostly inside Microsoft Edge, in response to the continent’s rigorous Digital Markets Act (DMA) requirements.
For Windows 10, these EU/DMA mandates are cascading down as well, with subtle but important modifications aimed to preserve the company’s standing in a regulatory environment that’s become increasingly hostile to over-integrated platforms.
Momentum is now building for Windows 12, long rumored but as yet unconfirmed in its particulars. If Microsoft sticks to its current cadence, 2025 should see an announcement, with 2026 a likely target for rollout. Some analysts suggest Windows 12 will lean heavily into AI-powered features, with integrated Copilot+ enhancements and deeper cloud connectivity.
These figures, while cheered by Redmond and Windows insiders, should be approached with some caution. Market share measurements often diverge based on methodology; StatCounter and AdDuplex, for example, have yielded differing numbers in the past. Data transparency on exact install base remains limited, but given the push for Copilot and other exclusive features, it’s plausible that the inflection point has indeed passed.
Still, using Edge with confidence and privacy requires deliberate configuration. It’s all too easy to leave unwanted data-sharing toggled, or to fall back into “recommended” settings that erode performance or privacy. However, the architecture of Edge still offers compelling reasons to make it a default browser, including deep Windows integration, leading reading and annotation features, and tight security protocols—especially useful for enterprise clients.
Notably, these improvements shine brightest when compared with the tumultuous state of third-party browser alternatives, many of which are wrestling with ad-blocking restrictions, compatibility concerns, and the ever-centralizing influence of Chromium.
Google’s recent move to bring its Veo 3 video generation model to all AI Pro subscribers, plus other high-profile AI features landing on Pixel devices, signals a new arms race in workplace productivity. Microsoft, for its part, is redoubling efforts to position Copilot not just as a digital assistant, but as a foundational pillar of hybrid work.
Another key move is Microsoft’s ongoing investment in PowerShell automation—underscored by the release of the “Office 365 for IT Pros 2026 Edition,” which devotes over 350 pages to automating tasks through Graph APIs and expanding what IT professionals can achieve, from Exchange and SharePoint to eDiscovery and Entra ID. The inclusion of these resources as part of product packages and promotional deals reflects a clear conviction: developers and admins who automate will be critical to keeping Microsoft relevant and resilient.
The layoffs, though controversial, are largely seen as Microsoft finally confronting underperformance and lack of deliverables within certain studios. Industry observers have pointed out that the company let some projects continue for far too long, perhaps out of institutional inertia or misplaced optimism. Nonetheless, reactions on social media can border on the hyperbolic, distorting perceptions of broader strategy.
One clear theme from the podcast’s panel is a call for nuance: under Phil Spencer, Xbox has evolved into a platform, not just a console. While the “Game Pass effect” has been crucial in convincing Satya Nadella and Microsoft leadership to maintain Xbox as a core division, the recent $69 billion Activision acquisition introduced promises—like day-and-date releases on Game Pass—that may simply be untenable at scale. Combined with recent price hikes for Game Pass, some insiders speculate the service has likely peaked or is nearing saturation.
Adding to the intrigue, Microsoft accidentally uploaded an out-of-date version of Call of Duty: WWII to the Store. While amusing to onlookers, these missteps also underscore the logistical challenges that massive content catalogs and tight release schedules can create.
In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Sony is slated to publish a title for Xbox, marking an unprecedented but pragmatic cross-pollination in the console wars. And Epic Games’ quiet settlement with Samsung, timed to coincide with Samsung’s high-profile Unpacked event, is a stark reminder that the lines between ecosystem rivals are becoming increasingly porous—even as litigation with Google remains unresolved.
Edge’s repeated changes, optionality in services, and the ongoing evolution of privacy controls all find their roots in this legislative pressure. For business and personal users alike, the net results are a Windows experience that’s marginally freer, though still not up to the standards laid out by advocates for open platforms.
Meanwhile, product nostalgia finds new expression with tools like Amiga Forever 11 and C64 Forever 11, which help users resurrect classic computing experiences. These picks appeal not only to retro enthusiasts but also to a broader demographic reflecting on an era when the boundaries of the personal computer seemed clearer—and perhaps, to some, more inviting.
For the connoisseur, the brown liquor spotlight lands on Bolster Road Maple Rye Whiskey, a note of indulgence amid the otherwise technical discourse.
Yet the strategy is not without risks. Microsoft’s decision to use forced updates, integrate AI deeply into core products—even as privacy advocates sound alarms—and the price restructuring in Game Pass threaten to alienate loyal segments of its user base. Xbox, though still formidable, navigates a precarious path: one that must justify ongoing investment “day and date” promises while managing spiraling costs and increasing consumer skepticism.
The question that emerges is whether Microsoft can sustain this momentum, balancing the demands of compliance, innovation, and end-user trust. For now, the company enjoys the fruits of its labor: more Windows 11 devices in play, a more nimble Edge browser, and deepening AI hooks across its product lines. But as Sony games arrive on Xbox and Copilot becomes as integral to productivity as the Office suite ever was, the future feels at once familiar and utterly new.
How the company manages the evolving demands for privacy, performance, and platform flexibility will determine whether its current ascendancy is sustained or merely a high-water mark before further upheaval. For now, the donkey (and perhaps, by proxy, Microsoft itself) does indeed seem to keep winning—but as history has shown in the tech world, today’s champion is only ever one misstep away from tomorrow’s cautionary tale.
Source: Thurrott.com Windows Weekly 940: The Donkey Always Wins
Patch Tuesday and the State of Windows Updates
As has become routine, Microsoft’s monthly Patch Tuesday brings a blend of stability, incremental innovation, and, at times, controversy. This cycle is marked by a manageable set of updates, especially notable given the pace and ambition of the past year.For Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs can now tap into an “Ask Copilot” action for Click to Do—a feature illustrating Microsoft’s persistent drive to blur the boundaries between user interface and intelligent assistance. Version 24H2 introduces smaller Taskbar icons and a “screen curtain” feature for Narrator, targeting both accessibility and customization. A revamped home page for Settings, aimed at commercial customers, is an attempt to streamline management for IT professionals—a demographic that Microsoft has been acutely attentive to, given the enterprise dominance of older operating systems.
With versions 24H2 and 23H2, the Windows Share function showcases a preview window when dealing with web content, and the Windows Backup tool signals the beginning of a migration feature, potentially easing cross-device transitions and system refreshes. Additionally, EU users will see further compliance tweaks, mostly inside Microsoft Edge, in response to the continent’s rigorous Digital Markets Act (DMA) requirements.
For Windows 10, these EU/DMA mandates are cascading down as well, with subtle but important modifications aimed to preserve the company’s standing in a regulatory environment that’s become increasingly hostile to over-integrated platforms.
A Major Milestone—And the Shadow of Windows 12
Perhaps the most arresting headline for Windows aficionados: Windows 11 now reportedly powers more PCs than Windows 10. This milestone, celebrated with the phrase “WE DID IT!” on the podcast, is both historic and a harbinger. It marks the first major platform transition since the meteoric success of Windows 10—a version that, for many, defined the modern era of desktop computing.Momentum is now building for Windows 12, long rumored but as yet unconfirmed in its particulars. If Microsoft sticks to its current cadence, 2025 should see an announcement, with 2026 a likely target for rollout. Some analysts suggest Windows 12 will lean heavily into AI-powered features, with integrated Copilot+ enhancements and deeper cloud connectivity.
These figures, while cheered by Redmond and Windows insiders, should be approached with some caution. Market share measurements often diverge based on methodology; StatCounter and AdDuplex, for example, have yielded differing numbers in the past. Data transparency on exact install base remains limited, but given the push for Copilot and other exclusive features, it’s plausible that the inflection point has indeed passed.
Microsoft Edge: From Bloated to Brisk
A recurring theme over the last 12 months is Microsoft Edge’s slow but steady redemption arc. After years where the browser suffered accusations of feature bloat and intrusive integrations, the developers have pared down unnecessary components and invested heavily in performance. Responsiveness has improved dramatically, with benchmarks and anecdotal reports converging on the sense that Edge is no longer the laggard it once was.Still, using Edge with confidence and privacy requires deliberate configuration. It’s all too easy to leave unwanted data-sharing toggled, or to fall back into “recommended” settings that erode performance or privacy. However, the architecture of Edge still offers compelling reasons to make it a default browser, including deep Windows integration, leading reading and annotation features, and tight security protocols—especially useful for enterprise clients.
Notably, these improvements shine brightest when compared with the tumultuous state of third-party browser alternatives, many of which are wrestling with ad-blocking restrictions, compatibility concerns, and the ever-centralizing influence of Chromium.
Microsoft 365 and the Proliferation of AI
Microsoft’s cloud ambitions continue unabated, with Microsoft 365 at the forefront of the company’s AI expansion. Standout features in the latest update include threading in Teams Channels—a seemingly overdue response to years of user feedback—and accelerated integration with AI-powered productivity tools.Google’s recent move to bring its Veo 3 video generation model to all AI Pro subscribers, plus other high-profile AI features landing on Pixel devices, signals a new arms race in workplace productivity. Microsoft, for its part, is redoubling efforts to position Copilot not just as a digital assistant, but as a foundational pillar of hybrid work.
Another key move is Microsoft’s ongoing investment in PowerShell automation—underscored by the release of the “Office 365 for IT Pros 2026 Edition,” which devotes over 350 pages to automating tasks through Graph APIs and expanding what IT professionals can achieve, from Exchange and SharePoint to eDiscovery and Entra ID. The inclusion of these resources as part of product packages and promotional deals reflects a clear conviction: developers and admins who automate will be critical to keeping Microsoft relevant and resilient.
Xbox, Gaming, and the Price of Survival
In the aftermath of industry-shaking layoffs, the latest wave of Xbox news is tinged with equal parts grievance and vindication. Fans are vocal—at times justifiably dissatisfied with studio closures and perceived neglect, but also, in some quarters, chafing against necessary corrections after stagnation.The layoffs, though controversial, are largely seen as Microsoft finally confronting underperformance and lack of deliverables within certain studios. Industry observers have pointed out that the company let some projects continue for far too long, perhaps out of institutional inertia or misplaced optimism. Nonetheless, reactions on social media can border on the hyperbolic, distorting perceptions of broader strategy.
One clear theme from the podcast’s panel is a call for nuance: under Phil Spencer, Xbox has evolved into a platform, not just a console. While the “Game Pass effect” has been crucial in convincing Satya Nadella and Microsoft leadership to maintain Xbox as a core division, the recent $69 billion Activision acquisition introduced promises—like day-and-date releases on Game Pass—that may simply be untenable at scale. Combined with recent price hikes for Game Pass, some insiders speculate the service has likely peaked or is nearing saturation.
Adding to the intrigue, Microsoft accidentally uploaded an out-of-date version of Call of Duty: WWII to the Store. While amusing to onlookers, these missteps also underscore the logistical challenges that massive content catalogs and tight release schedules can create.
In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Sony is slated to publish a title for Xbox, marking an unprecedented but pragmatic cross-pollination in the console wars. And Epic Games’ quiet settlement with Samsung, timed to coincide with Samsung’s high-profile Unpacked event, is a stark reminder that the lines between ecosystem rivals are becoming increasingly porous—even as litigation with Google remains unresolved.
EU, The DMA, and the Unending Compliance Rollout
It would be remiss to overlook the consistent background hum of regulatory compliance, particularly with Europe’s Digital Markets Act reshaping how tech giants must structure core products. The legislation compels feature removals, neutral browsers, and fairer competition for in-app billing—a set of requirements that has generated both visible front-end tweaks and deeper architectural shifts.Edge’s repeated changes, optionality in services, and the ongoing evolution of privacy controls all find their roots in this legislative pressure. For business and personal users alike, the net results are a Windows experience that’s marginally freer, though still not up to the standards laid out by advocates for open platforms.
Productivity Picks and Nostalgia Runs
Tony Redmond’s release of the “Office 365 for IT Pros 2026 Edition,” celebrated in this podcast as a tip of the week, is especially timely. The depth of 350 pages on PowerShell automation alone provides essential value to IT professionals seeking granular control over the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. More than just documentation, it offers actionable guides for integrating with Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, and Planner—crucial for anyone grappling with large deployments or regulatory requirements.Meanwhile, product nostalgia finds new expression with tools like Amiga Forever 11 and C64 Forever 11, which help users resurrect classic computing experiences. These picks appeal not only to retro enthusiasts but also to a broader demographic reflecting on an era when the boundaries of the personal computer seemed clearer—and perhaps, to some, more inviting.
For the connoisseur, the brown liquor spotlight lands on Bolster Road Maple Rye Whiskey, a note of indulgence amid the otherwise technical discourse.
The Shape of Things to Come
It’s not lost on observers that the acceleration of change in the Windows universe is unprecedented. With Windows 11’s market dominance solidified, Microsoft’s strategy hinges on keeping users—in both consumer and enterprise spheres—enticed through Copilot, Edge, and cloud-driven innovation. The hints about Windows 12, and the AI-heavy visions being touted by rival platforms like Google, foreshadow a new contest not just for features, but for the very philosophy of personal computing.Yet the strategy is not without risks. Microsoft’s decision to use forced updates, integrate AI deeply into core products—even as privacy advocates sound alarms—and the price restructuring in Game Pass threaten to alienate loyal segments of its user base. Xbox, though still formidable, navigates a precarious path: one that must justify ongoing investment “day and date” promises while managing spiraling costs and increasing consumer skepticism.
The question that emerges is whether Microsoft can sustain this momentum, balancing the demands of compliance, innovation, and end-user trust. For now, the company enjoys the fruits of its labor: more Windows 11 devices in play, a more nimble Edge browser, and deepening AI hooks across its product lines. But as Sony games arrive on Xbox and Copilot becomes as integral to productivity as the Office suite ever was, the future feels at once familiar and utterly new.
Conclusion
Patch Tuesday and associated updates have once again reminded users and IT professionals alike of both the promise and unpredictability embedded in the world’s dominant PC platform. As Windows 11 cements its supremacy, and the shadow of Windows 12 grows longer, Microsoft faces an inflection point—one shaped as much by user expectations and regulatory mandates as by its own ambition.How the company manages the evolving demands for privacy, performance, and platform flexibility will determine whether its current ascendancy is sustained or merely a high-water mark before further upheaval. For now, the donkey (and perhaps, by proxy, Microsoft itself) does indeed seem to keep winning—but as history has shown in the tech world, today’s champion is only ever one misstep away from tomorrow’s cautionary tale.
Source: Thurrott.com Windows Weekly 940: The Donkey Always Wins
