Tom Warren

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella opened Build 2026 with Windows as a centerpiece, unveiling the Surface RTX Spark Dev Kit alongside Nvidia's return to Windows on Arm with new RTX Spark chips. The hardware is positioned to enable local AI workloads on PCs. This marks a notable shift in Microsoft's Build conference priorities, though the keynote did not address specific Windows 11 issues the company is working to resolve.

Microsoft has launched Scout, an always-on AI personal assistant built on OpenClaw technology that integrates across Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams. Unlike the existing Copilot offering, Scout functions as a dedicated personal assistant with broader capabilities, handling tasks such as calendar organization, expense reporting, and email drafting. The move mirrors Google's similar approach to deploying OpenClaw-based assistants in enterprise productivity tools.

Microsoft announced Majorana 2, the next generation of its topological quantum chip, claiming qubits that are 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor Majorana 1. The advancement uses a new material stack and represents progress toward making quantum computing more practical. The announcement follows skepticism from physicists about Microsoft's initial quantum computing claims last year.

Nvidia has officially retired its GeForce Control Panel application after 20 years of service, completing a transition that began over two years ago. The company has migrated all actively supported features to its newer Nvidia App for Game Ready and Studio Driver users. RTX PRO users will continue to have access to the Control Panel, indicating a phased retirement approach based on user segment.

Microsoft is launching the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 with Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors, reversing its previous strategy of prioritizing Arm-based models. The new devices are available for business customers starting at $1,949.99 for the Surface Pro 12, with consumer Snapdragon X2 variants expected later in 2026. This marks a shift in Microsoft's hardware refresh cycle, with Intel chips arriving first this generation rather than months after Arm alternatives.

Microsoft is testing a new Windows 11 feature called Low Latency Profile that improves app launch times and menu responsiveness by ramping up CPU frequency in short bursts, similar to how macOS optimizes performance. Testers over the past week have reported noticeable speed improvements when launching File Explorer, the Start menu, and applications like Outlook, Microsoft Store, and Paint. The feature remains unannounced but is actively being evaluated in Windows 11 test builds.

Microsoft is launching a specialized AI agent within Word designed specifically for legal teams to handle contract review, document negotiation, and clause-by-clause analysis. Rather than relying on general-purpose AI models, the Legal Agent follows structured workflows based on actual legal practice, managing defined and repeatable tasks. The tool integrates with existing Word documents and tracked changes, positioning Microsoft to capture workflow adoption within enterprise legal departments.

Microsoft is rolling out Agent Mode across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint this week, a more capable evolution of its Copilot experience that can now take direct action within documents rather than just answer questions. The feature, previously referred to internally as 'vibe working,' addresses a limitation of earlier Copilot versions where foundation models lacked the power to execute commands on the canvas. Microsoft executives acknowledge that early Copilot deployments were passive partners in documents, unable to act on user requests directly. The rollout targets businesses that have been slow to adopt AI-assisted productivity tools.