Hands-On Windows (Audio)

Hosted by TWiT

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Hands-On Windows, featuring Paul Thurrott, will help you adapt to the changes made in Windows 11. From visual tweaks to performance boosts Hands-On Windows will show you how to get the most out of your Windows 11 PC. You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month. New episodes every Thursday.

Listen to episodes

10 recent

June 11, 202614 min

HOW 193: Windows 11 Update Overhaul (6/2026) - Major Changes to Windows Update and Taskbar

Windows 11 finally answers persistent user requests with updates that let you shrink the oversized taskbar and pause updates almost indefinitely. Find out why these long-denied features matter now. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT

June 4, 202615 min

HOW 192: Windows Insider Gets a Reboot - Why Microsoft's Big Shift Finally Makes Sense

Microsoft is overhauling the Windows Insider program, streamlining its confusing channels and finally letting you enable new features on demand. Find out why this long-awaited change could get veteran enthusiasts—and frustrated dropouts—back in the game. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit

May 28, 202622 min

HOW 191: The Snapdragon X2 is Here - Real-World ARM Power

Next-gen Snapdragon X2 Copilot Plus PCs are finally here, delivering real gaming performance and major CPU/NPU upgrades that could shake up your expectations for ARM laptops. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT

May 21, 202622 min

HOW 190: Copilot PCs in 2026 - Worth the Investment?

Are Copilot Plus PCs truly delivering the local AI power Microsoft promised, or are buyers still ending up with hardware that can't keep pace? Paul breaks down the latest specs, features, and what the next wave of chips means for your next upgrade. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit bitwarden.com/twit

May 14, 202620 min

HOW 189: Running Local AI on Windows 11 - A First Look at Running AI Directly on Windows

What if powerful AI tools could run entirely on your Windows PC, with no internet required? This episode puts local small language models to the test and reveals just how close they are to their cloud-based rivals. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit

May 7, 202621 min

HOW 188: Native vs. Modern Apps - Microsoft's Native Apps Plan: Fact, Fiction, or Just Marketing?

Microsoft promises "more native apps" for Windows 11, but what does native even mean today—and are these new apps truly different from web-based ones? Paul Thurrott breaks down the blurred lines and why it matters for Windows users. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: outsystems.com/twit

April 30, 202613 min

HOW 187: What Microsoft Isn't Fixing in Windows 11 - Forced Telemetry, Edge, and More

Despite Microsoft's promises, real Windows 11 annoyances like forced telemetry, aggressive Edge defaults, and stubborn online account requirements remain unaddressed. Paul Thurrott calls out what isn't changing and why power users should care. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

April 23, 202618 min

HOW 186: Microsoft's Promises for 2026 - Microsoft's Vision for Windows 11

Microsoft has finally pledged to tackle the biggest Windows 11 pain points in 2026, from letting you move the Start menu to eliminating those endless Copilot icons. Could long-requested fixes turn everyday users into fans again? Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: bitwarden.com/twit

April 16, 202622 min

HOW 185: Windows 11's new Features 4/2026 - Inside Windows 11's Latest Tweaks

Windows 11 is quietly rolling out subtle but genuinely useful features this year, favoring reliability and long-term usability over flashy gimmicks. Find out which updates are actually making a difference for power users and everyday fans alike. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT

April 9, 202618 min

HOW 184: Power Toys Update 4/2026 - The Best Windows Utilities Just Got Smarter

PowerToys just leveled up with a feature-packed update, transforming Command Palette into a slick, customizable toolbar that could replace your Start menu and taskbar. Tune in to see what shifts for power users and why this release feels like PowerToys' biggest leap yet. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows 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 Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit