WW 960: Snow & Claus - Windows 11 & Agentic AI

Pavan Davuluri only spoke at one Ignite 2025 session, and it did not deserve the hate he got. But what did he really say?

• Copilot is a front-end for apps and cloud AI services, agents are background processes. • Apps in Windows need to become programmatic so AI and agents can control them. • You are in control. You being IT and the user. These experiences are off by default, opt-in, and optional. This is the end of whatever BS argument anyone has about this stuff. • Copilot Voice because AI is better when you babble and is often more natural than typing • Key concept: Apps, CLIs, etc. expect exact commands, AI is all about intent, just do what I want, not exactly what I say. This is why, yes, people WILL want to talk to their PCs (and other devices) • UIs for these new features will look/feel natural in Windows • Search box in Taskbar is getting updated to orchestrate between local/web search and Copilot capabilities, including agents • Agents will appear as app icons in Taskbar when fired, can be check in on, can post notifications for you to attend to • Integration of M365 Copilot capabilities with Windows - Better together story, with things like Writing Assistance for every text box • Accessibility updates thanks to AI - Fluid Dictation, which is what makes Copilot Voice make so much sense • All the security, privacy, and IT management the audience expects

Windows Insider Program

• Dev and Beta builds include Full Screen Experience on all PCs, new Notepad app, more

Hardware - Earnings

• Lenovo PC business up 12 percent to $15.1 billion, 25.6 percent unit share • HP up 4 percent to $14.6 billion, but job cuts for AI are coming • Dell PC business up 3 percent to $1.41 billion

AI and Stuff

• Microsoft releases local Fara-7B agentic model for computer use • ChatGPT's new coding model is optimized for Windows • Dear God, you must see Nano Banana Pro to understand Google's lead • Google is bringing AirDrop to Android, starting with Pixel. This is what happens when regulators "force design changes on OS makers."

Xbox and Gaming

• Xbox Cloud Gaming usage is up 45 percent YOY. Sure. What's 45 percent of 3 people? • Xbox Cloud Gaming is adding per-game resolution settings, to 1440p for Game Pass Ultimate customers • ROG Xbox Ally is getting default game profiles, in preview for 40 titles now • Microsoft open sources the source code for Zork, Zork II, and Zork III • New Chromebook buyers get one year of Nvidia GeForce NOW with Fast Pass

Tips and Picks

• Tip of the week: Finding experts is more important than ever • We live in the age of stupid. Find the smart and never let go • Also, Xbox is having a good Black Friday sale • App pick of the week: Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge • Also: Perplexity Comet on Android

RunAs Radio this week: Christmas Gifts for SysAdmins with Joey Snow and Rick Claus

• https://runasradio.com/Shows/Show/1012

Brown liquor pick of the week: Sidetrack Stone Whisky

• https://www.huskdistillers.com/shop/sidetrack-stone-whisky

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/960 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

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