Why does Microsoft keep stumbling with new devices and software design... and what happens when enthusiasts start favoring AI over old-school Office? Paul, Richard, and Leo dig into shifting loyalties and what that means for the future of the desktop. And with the release of 26H2, it's time to update your install and recovery media. The build number is 26300.9457

Windows

Windows 11, version 26H2 is here
New features, none unique: Start, Taskbar, Search, etc
New defaults for some features: Windows settings backup for commercial customers, etc.
The time a UX legend interviewed for a job at Microsoft running Windows UX
WSL Containers are generally available in Windows 11
Four new Insider builds, but only Experimental gets anything interesting: Phone companion improvements and Energy recommendations directly in Quick Settings

Software

Microsoft retires the Microsoft 365 Companion apps for Windows 11 that never made sense in the first place
Mozilla ships the new Nova UI in Firefox 157

Hardware

Copilot+ PC brand could be on the way out, but it was all over IFA, including on RTX Spark-based PCs
Microsoft launches new base Surface Pro and Laptop models with Snapdragon X2 - And a new mouse, for some reason
Qualcomm brought (first-gen) Snapdragon X to Googlebook, but it's also bringing X2 to Linux
Google quietly reveals that, yes, Chromebooks are on the way out

AI

Microsoft unveils the Copilot "super app" and the notion that this is basically an OS
Open releases about 1000 new updates for ChatGPT
Claude Sonnet 5.5 joins Opus 5.5
The AI money pit, part 127: Report details Anthropic losses, spending, and revenues. Report also does a bad job at visualizing that information

XBOX and gaming

Disc to digital program is live
Minecraft Dungeons is here with a new dimension, and it's coming to Minecraft next year too
Microsoft has a new casual mobile game for some reason
XBOX now has mythic achievements

Tips and picks

Tip of the week: Get the Windows 11 version 26H2 ISO
App pick of the week: Opera on desktop and on mobile
RunAs Radio this week: AI and Penetration Testing with Paula Januszkiewicz
Brown liquor pick of the week: Kilchoman Loch Gorm

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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WW 1003: Another Story Ruined By Keith - Windows 11, version 26H2 Is Now Available!

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WW 1003: Another Story Ruined By Keith - Windows 11, version 26H2 Is Now Available!