Windows Weekly 991

Microsoft’s latest round of layoffs and game studio shakeups reveal deep cracks in the XBOX business, as years of unprofitability and missed expectations force the company into tough decisions. Are industry icons like Game Pass and big-name studios on borrowed time? Also, Paul's made major progress on the Windows 11 Field Guide updates! Plus, a desktop and mobile web browser that now blocks YouTube ads by default.

Layoffs

• Microsoft announces 4800 layoffs, 3200 at XBOX
• Analysis: What Sharma said and didn’t say. Many interesting details revealed here. Many questions unanswered
• Great outcomes for four studios, id Software reportedly laid off half its staff
• Interesting alternative analysis: The Game Pass thesis, XBOX can’t do everything

Windows

• Four new builds yesterday, one major new feature: Cloud restore
• Microsoft Edge is adding support for Google account sign-ins
• Opera One adds clipboard attack prevention
• Google and Samsung have announced new hardware launches, both with new foldables on the way - Apple’s first foldable expected in January

AI

• Microsoft is reportedly transitioning to its in-house MAI models where possible
• Latest Corey Doctorow book takes on the future of AI and is surprisingly middle-of-the-road. Unlike his last book, he explains how he handles this and has some ideas for doing so yourself

XBOX and gaming

• Gears of War Reloaded, more head to Game Pass
• The oldest rumor in XBOX history is back, with Microsoft working (again, or as always) on a disc-to-digital program in the wake of the Sony PS5+ physical media announcement
• Nintendo to end OG Switch sales, make Switch 2 changes in the EU
• You can play Half-Life 2 in a web browser now

Tips and picks

• Tip of the week: All Mint Mobile Plans Are Now Just $15 Per Month
• App pick of the week: DuckDuckGo browser
• RunAs Radio this week: Implementing Azure Policies with Barbara Forbes
• Brown liquor pick of the week: Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey

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Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com

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Links

• Microsoft Announces 4,800 Job Cuts, Including 3,200 at its Xbox Division
• Microsoft Xbox is the new Burning Platform | Jon Kimmich guest post
• All the Things She Said, Some of the Things She Didn’t ⭐
• Doom Developer id Software Has Reportedly Lost Half of Its Workforce
• A new burning platform?
• Microsoft Releases Four New Insider Builds
• Microsoft Edge is Adding Support for Google Account Sign-ins
• Opera Brings Clipboard Attack Prevention to Opera One
• Google Announces Pixel 11 Event on August 12
• Samsung Announces Galaxy Unpacked Event on July 22
• Microsoft is Reportedly Transitioning to In-House AI Models
• Review: The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI by Cory Doctorow
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+ 2, The Planet Crafter, and More are Coming to Game Pass
• Microsoft is Reportedly Working on Disc-to-Digital Program for Xbox Games
• Sales of the Original Nintendo Switch to Stop in Europe in February 2027
• Sony to End Production of Physical Discs for New PlayStation Games in January 2028
• Now You Can Play Half-Life 2 in a Web Browser
• Tip: All Mint Mobile Plans Are Now Just $15 Per Month
• Status Update 2: Windows 11 Field Guide 2026 Edition
• DuckDuckGo Browser Now Blocks Most Video Ads
• Implementing Azure Policies with Barbara Forbes
• Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey