AI computing Archives

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Microsoft drives developers toward native Windows apps at Build 2026

Microsoft is focusing on increasing native applications and components in Windows 11 to improve performance and user experiences. At the Build 2026 conference, Microsoft encouraged third-party developers to create native applications through a series of sessions and provided tools and resources for this purpose. The Windows K2 initiative aims to transform key elements like the Start menu into native components. A session titled "Use agents to build WinUI 3 apps" discussed strategies for developing native applications, including the use of AI tools like the WinUI agent plugin for GitHub Copilot. Microsoft also introduced WinUI 3 templates to streamline native app creation and emphasized the modernization of applications beyond just code rewriting. The Surface Laptop Ultra, announced at Computex, is designed for AI workloads, featuring up to 128GB of RAM and built on the NVIDIA RTX Spark platform, which includes a 20-core Arm N1x CPU and an RTX GPU with up to 6,144 cores, delivering 1 petaflop of AI computing power. This device aims to attract developers to Microsoft's ecosystem.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

Build 2026: Furthering Windows as the trusted platform for development

Build is an annual event focused on connecting with the global developer community and sharing innovations. Feedback from developers emphasizes the need for a frictionless and adaptable platform for seamless development across various environments. Key announcements include: - Coreutils for Windows: A suite of Linux-like command line utilities available natively on Windows. - WSL containers: A forthcoming public preview feature for creating and interacting with Linux containers. - Windows Development Skills: Structured knowledge for building native Windows apps using WinUI3 and WinApp CLI, now generally available. - Intelligent Terminal: An experimental feature integrating context-aware intelligence into the terminal for improved debugging and task execution. - Windows Developer Configurations: A WinGet-powered setup for distraction-free development, now generally available. - Windows 365 with Developer Configuration: A pre-configured cloud-based development environment in public preview. For security, the announcements include: - Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC) SDK: A policy-driven execution layer for agent access and containment, available in early preview. - Agent 365 integration: Enhances security for agents with protections from Defender, Entra, Intune, and Purview, available in preview. - OpenClaw: Runs securely on Windows using MXC for easy installation of agent connections. - NVIDIA's OpenShell: A deployment package for autonomous agents on Windows, built on MXC. - Windows 365 for Agents: Secure Cloud PCs for executing enterprise workflows, now generally available. For AI capabilities: - Aion 1.0 Instruct: An on-device small language model for local workloads, available soon. - Expanded Windows AI APIs: Now accessible on more Windows 11 PCs, enhancing local AI capabilities. - Surface RTX Spark Dev Box: A device for developers featuring NVIDIA RTX Spark silicon for local AI workloads. - DGX Station for Windows: A powerful AI supercomputer for developing agents, coming in Q4. - Project Solara: A platform for agent-driven experiences, simplifying development across environments. - New Speech Recognition API: Real-time, on-device transcription capabilities. - Expansion of Windows AI APIs across GPUs and CPUs: Now available for broader hardware support. Windows is enhancing its security framework to reduce risks and ensure robust protection for applications.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

Microsoft, Nvidia launch RTX Spark Windows AI PC lineup

Microsoft and Nvidia have launched a new series of Windows PCs powered by the Nvidia RTX Spark platform, featuring devices from manufacturers like Surface, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. The RTX Spark platform delivers up to 1 petaflop of AI performance, with up to 20 Arm-based CPU cores, 6,144 Blackwell RTX cores, and 128GB of unified memory. Microsoft has optimized Windows for this architecture, enhancing scheduling, power management, and memory handling. The new workload profile scheduling feature optimizes task distribution across the cores, while the Microsoft Power and Thermal Framework improves performance, battery life, and heat management. Windows' support for unified memory has been enhanced, allowing for larger AI models and demanding creative tasks. Microsoft's Prism emulator for x86 applications has been optimized for RTX Spark systems, improving compatibility and speed. Creative applications like Blender, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Photoshop are supported, along with MATLAB for technical users. Gaming support includes native anti-cheat software and compatibility with popular titles such as League of Legends and Valorant. The new systems are categorized under Microsoft's Copilot+ PC line, which combines AI processing with enhanced graphics capabilities. Devices showcased include Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra and models from Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. Microsoft also plans to scale Windows to the Nvidia DGX Station for Windows, enabling larger AI models and workstation-class workloads. The initiative aims to unify AI workloads across consumer PCs, creator laptops, and workstations, allowing users to run larger models locally and integrate AI computing into their workflows.

Winsage

October 27, 2025

Windows 10 is dying — and Apple’s Macs are cashing in — but one Windows PC maker remains in the lead

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, leading to approximately 50% of Windows users still using the obsolete OS. This situation has resulted in a shift towards macOS, with Apple’s MacBook shipments increasing by 14.9% in Q3 2025 compared to the previous year. Lenovo saw a 17% increase in sales year over year, while ASUS reported a 14% gain and HP a 10% increase. Dell experienced a slight decline of 1%. Nearly 40% of PC users were still on Windows 10, but this figure is declining as users upgrade. The broader PC market saw a global shipment rise of 8.1% in Q3 2025. The growth in AI computing is expected to drive future increases in PC shipments, particularly after 2026, with advancements in new silicon technologies.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft Copilot+ Recall: who should disable it, and how

Microsoft's Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs was initially announced a year ago but delayed due to privacy concerns raised by cybersecurity experts. The updated version was released in April 2025 for Windows Insider Preview builds and rolled out more broadly in May. Key updates include requiring user permission for activation, encrypting database files with hardware-based Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and implementing a filter to prevent saving sensitive information. Recall is enabled on a per-user basis, can be uninstalled, does not require a Microsoft account, and processes data locally. However, it still has vulnerabilities, such as allowing access with a regular Windows PIN after initial biometric authentication and failing to consistently filter sensitive data. Recall can log interactions during calls and capture self-destructing messages, posing privacy risks. It can impact performance and battery life, especially during gaming. Users handling sensitive data or frequently using video conferencing may want to disable or remove Recall. Instructions for disabling or removing Recall are provided, along with precautions for those who choose to use it.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Available today: DeepSeek R1 7B & 14B distilled models for Copilot+ PCs via Azure AI Foundry – further expanding AI on the edge

Microsoft is launching the DeepSeek R1 7B and 14B distilled models via Azure AI Foundry, following the introduction of NPU-optimized versions of the DeepSeek-R1 1.5B model for Copilot+ PCs. These models will be available on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra 200V, and AMD Ryzen processors. The NPUs in these PCs can execute over 40 trillion operations per second and are designed for efficient local AI model execution, minimizing battery and resource consumption. The DeepSeek models utilize 4-bit block-wise quantization and int4 per-channel quantization for enhanced performance. Developers can access all distilled variants of the DeepSeek models through the AI Toolkit VS Code extension, allowing for local deployment and experimentation. Copilot+ PCs combine local computing capabilities with Azure's resources, facilitating a new paradigm of continuous computing for AI applications.

Winsage

October 30, 2024

Best use cases for an NPU in your Windows 11 laptop

In 2024, many Windows laptops are equipped with dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to enhance computing capabilities by efficiently handling AI workloads. Laptops featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, or AMD 7040 series or later utilize NPUs. Windows Studio Effects allows users to enable features like background blur and eye contact during video calls, utilizing the NPU for energy-efficient processing. Amuse 2.1 is a generative AI application that performs text-to-image generation on-device using an NPU, although it currently lacks support for Intel's NPUs. Adobe Premiere Pro incorporates AI-driven features leveraging Ryzen AI hardware, and GIMP offers text-to-image generation through the OpenVINO plugin for Intel Core Ultra CPUs. Users with Snapdragon-powered laptops have access to features like live captions and image enhancements, with more AI capabilities expected in Windows 11 by 2025.

Winsage

October 10, 2024

AMD’s new Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series powers Copilot+ PCs

AMD has introduced its third generation of commercial AI mobile processors, the Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series, which offer three times the performance of previous models. These processors enhance business productivity and are designed for seamless management of everyday workloads, prioritizing security and manageability through AMD PRO Technologies. Microsoft has also announced AI advancements for Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11, including features like Recall (Preview) and Click to Do (Preview). OEM partners such as HP and Lenovo are launching new Windows PCs powered by these processors.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

Windows 11 AI features are coming to Intel PCs this November – gHacks Tech News

The 2024 feature update for Windows 11 is currently available for ARM-based Copilot+ PCs, with no clear timeline for broader access. Intel will launch its Lunar Lake processors in October 2024, promising improved performance, power efficiency, and graphics capabilities, while maintaining application compatibility and enhancing security and AI computing power. Intel's Core Ultra 200V series processors will support Copilot+ PC features, with a free update expected in November. Two potential timelines for the Windows 11 feature update include a late September optional release or a late October release with wider availability in November. Intel's processors will officially launch on September 24, 2024, with over 20 manufacturers preparing compatible devices. Key features of the new processors include enhanced performance in ultra-thin designs, extended battery life, integrated security, built-in Intel Arc graphics, rapid connectivity through Wi-Fi 7, support for multiple monitor connections, instant wake capabilities, and sustainability certification. Benchmarks for these processors are anticipated in September, while AMD has not yet announced a launch date for its Strix Point processors.

Winsage

May 23, 2024

Intel’s next-gen Lunar Lake processors will launch in new AI PCs sooner than you think, hot on the heels of Snapdragon X and ARM

Intel's Lunar Lake processors are expected to be integrated into OEM devices between July and September 2024, with a focus on AI capabilities including upgraded NPUs and the Battlemage GPU.