WW 985: Putting the Mental in Experimental - Some Linux Learnings for the Windows User

Paul has been testing various Linux distributions and other Windows alternatives for months as part of a Switcher series. The zen of Linux can mostly apply to Windows, too: Install and manage software with package managers, and embrace the command line, especially. And if you're going to use a local account, at least be smart about it. Also, Vivaldi 8.0 looks awesome and appears to deliver what Firefox is promising with its Nova UI. Plus, Discord has a native app for Windows 11 on Arm now.

Windows

• Week D arrives with a surprise: 24H2/26H1 are aligned and getting the same new features
• Shared audio with BT LE, multi-app camera support, many improvements - but the big deal may be the performance and reliability improvements across the board
• This is the next Patch Tuesday, today
• Friday builds - new accessibility features in Experimental and Beta, more
• Microsoft CMO Yusuf Mehdi to leave company after an astonishing 35-year run - started in Windows, but with IE, Bing & MSN, Interactive Entertainment (Xbox), Windows and Devices, and then a SLT position before the end. Incredible run. Paul has three milestones and one throughline to share.
• Lenovo revenues surge 27 percent to $21.6 billion
• NVIDIA revenues really surged 85 percent to $81.6 billion

AI/dev

• Google adds Google Drive sync to NotebookLM, and moves preferred sources into AI Mode and AI Overviews
• Saying no to AI: DuckDuckGo usage surges in the wake of Google I/O's AI tsunami
• OpenAI releases ChatGPT plugin for PowerPoint
• .NET MAUI to get Material You support for Android in .NET 10
• Follow-up on last week's vibe coding adventures: Paul talked about this last week, but a lot has happened since then. The Android app creation capability in Google AI Studio is live. A few thoughts on vibe coding with Android Studio, Claude Code, and more

Xbox and gaming

• XBOX—and, yes, it's XBOX now—has an official merchandise store to go alongside all its other official merchandise stores
• The Steam Deck is back in stock! Also, it's 40 percent more expensive

Tips & picks

• Tip of the week: Understanding the zen of Linux can help a Windows user too
• App pick of the week: A grab-bag of apps for Windows
• RunAs Radio this week: Team Productivity using Loop with Karinne Bessette
• Brown liquor pick of the week: John Sleeman & Sons Rye Whisky

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell

Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly

Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!
Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Sponsors:

• trustedtech.team/windowsweekly365
• webroot.com/twit