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Refund requests flood Microsoft after tricking users into AI upgrades
6 months ago
- Disgruntled Microsoft customers are requesting refunds after being misled into buying more expensive subscriptions with Copilot AI.
- Microsoft underestimated the demand for compensation, with up to 2.7 million dissatisfied consumers affected.
- Microsoft admitted to sending the wrong unsubscribe link to some customers, delaying refund processing.
Pressured on Israel work, Microsoft asks employees to flag violations
6 months ago
- Microsoft introduces a new system for employees to report concerns about technology use, following reports of mass surveillance data on Palestinian civilians stored on its cloud servers.
- Microsoft's Trusted Technology Review section in its Integrity Portal allows employees to flag workplace behavior, legal, ethical, and security concerns.
- Reports from The Guardian and regional publications prompted Microsoft to investigate Israel's use of Azure cloud technology, leading to the termination of services for Unit 8200 due to violations.
- Microsoft faced protests, including disruptions at company events and campus occupations, with employees demanding severance of all ties with the Israeli government.
- Other tech companies like Amazon and Google also face employee protests over their joint contract with Israel, Project Nimbus, amid allegations of unrestricted data access demands by Israel.
The Linux Kernel Looks to "Bite the Bullet" in Enabling Microsoft C Extensions
6 months ago
- Linux kernel may enable Microsoft C Extensions via -fms-extensions compiler flag.
- Patches in kbuild-next likely to be submitted for Linux 6.19 kernel merge window.
- Microsoft C Extensions allow non-standard C/C++ constructs, useful for anonymous struct/union inclusion.
- Past attempts to enable -fms-extensions failed, but current patches have momentum.
- Rasmus Villemoes argues for enabling -fms-extensions for 'prettier code' and stack space savings.
- Linus Torvalds appears supportive of the change for Linux 6.19.
- Second patch ensures -fms-extensions is applied to CPU architectures with custom CFLAGS.
- Some developers may oppose Microsoft C behavior in the Linux kernel.
How Much OpenAI Spends on Inference and Its Revenue Share with Microsoft
6 months ago
- OpenAI's inference costs on Microsoft Azure were $5.02 billion in the first half of CY2025, doubling from $3.76 billion in CY2024.
- Microsoft receives 20% of OpenAI's revenue, but discrepancies exist between reported revenues and those implied by revenue share payments.
- OpenAI's total inference spend from CY2024 to Q3 CY2025 was $12.43 billion, far exceeding previous reports of $2 billion in 2024 and $2.5 billion in H1 CY2025.
- Sam Altman claims OpenAI's revenue is 'well more' than $13 billion, but documents suggest lower figures, raising questions about financial reporting.
- OpenAI's high inference costs may indicate unsustainable financials for generative AI companies, with potential need for price increases.
How high are OpenAI's compute costs? Possibly a lot higher than we thought
6 months ago
- OpenAI's compute costs may be significantly higher than previously thought, with inference spend alone reaching close to $5bn in the first half of 2025.
- Microsoft and OpenAI have a complex revenue-sharing agreement, with Microsoft reportedly receiving 20% of OpenAI's revenue and OpenAI getting a 20% cut of certain Azure and Bing revenues.
- Despite reported revenues of $4.3bn, OpenAI's cash burn was $2.5bn over the same period, indicating a large gap between revenues and running costs.
- If the data is accurate, OpenAI's business model and that of other general-purpose LLM vendors could be unsustainable without significant cost reductions or price increases.
- Projections based on the data suggest OpenAI's revenue might not cover inference costs until around 2033, and net of Microsoft's share, possibly never.
Agentic Windows
6 months ago
- Microsoft's Windows is evolving into an 'agentic OS', integrating devices, cloud, and AI for productivity.
- The author criticizes Microsoft's direction, citing privacy concerns and unwanted features like Recall.
- The new Windows version may not work well offline and could be bloated with ads and unnecessary functions.
- Microsoft's AI push may drive users to alternatives like Linux or Apple.
- Zorin OS capitalized on Windows 10's end of support, offering a viable alternative for some users.
- The author suggests Microsoft's strategy could backfire, pushing users away from Windows.
The Smartphone Killed the Xbox
6 months ago
- The console wars are over, but the PlayStation didn't kill the Xbox—smartphones did.
- Xbox was originally conceived as a Windows-based PC for the living room but pivoted to a standard console due to feasibility issues.
- Microsoft feared Sony's PlayStation 2 could dominate home computing, leading to Xbox's approval as a countermeasure.
- The Xbox 360 introduced multimedia features, and the Xbox One was marketed as an entertainment-first device, but it failed upon release.
- Smartphones and tablets replaced the need for a communal living room PC, making Xbox's original purpose obsolete.
- Xbox now lacks a clear direction within Microsoft, struggling to define its role in the company's broader strategy.
Microsoft Makes Sysmon Native to Windows
6 months ago
- Microsoft is integrating Sysmon natively into Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025.
- Previously, Sysmon required manual download and installation from Sysinternals.
- Native integration will improve troubleshooting by having Sysmon pre-installed.
- Sysmon is a powerful tool but requires configuration for specific environments.
- Examples of custom configurations include monitoring DNS queries and process tampering.
- Sysmon can also be installed on Linux via Windows Subsystem for Linux.
- Widespread use of Sysmon will lead to better configuration examples being available.
Is 30% of Microsoft's code AI-generated?
6 months ago
- Satya Nadella claimed 30% of Microsoft's code is AI-generated, sparking hype around tools like Copilot and Cursor.
- The author uses AI tools but questions the claim, as tweaking AI-generated code often makes it feel like their own work.
- Nadella's statement was less definitive in the actual interview, filled with qualifiers like 'maybe' and 'probably.'
- Tracking AI-generated code is unclear—there's no distinct signature, unlike written content with identifiable patterns.
- Senior developers treat AI suggestions as drafts, refining them thoroughly, while juniors' AI-generated code is caught in reviews.
- Previously, Stack Overflow snippets were hard to trace; similarly, AI-generated code lacks clear attribution without tracking mechanisms.
- The distinction between AI-generated and human-written code is blurrier than headlines suggest, making percentage-based metrics potentially meaningless.
The Microsoft/Hotmail Debacle (2003)
6 months ago
- Microsoft allegedly failed to convert Hotmail servers to Windows NT/IIS/Exchange in 1998 after acquiring Hotmail.
- Despite claims, Hotmail continued running on Solaris and FreeBSD for three years before Microsoft published whitepapers advocating migration to Windows 2000.
- The whitepaper contained FUD tactics, including dubious claims like language portability issues as a reason to switch from FreeBSD.
- Observers noted FreeBSD still ran most servers, casting doubt on Microsoft's migration claims and Windows' capability.
- In 2001, Microsoft falsely claimed no FreeBSD servers remained at Hotmail, but a developer proved otherwise.
- A 2002 security breach revealed an internal Microsoft document praising Unix over Windows for Hotmail's needs.
- By 2003, Hotmail's front end ran on Windows 2000, but backend database servers' OS remained undisclosed.
Microsoft has 'ripped off the NHS', amid call for contracts with British firms
5 months ago
- Microsoft accused of 'ripping off the NHS' in UK parliament.
- UK government spent £1.9bn on Microsoft licenses in 2024-25.
- MPs call for more contracts with British tech firms over US giants.
- Concerns raised about being locked into expensive contracts with Microsoft.
- UK urged to develop sovereign tech capacity and support local providers.
- Criticism of outdated contracts, like Defra's Windows 10 renewal.
- Government acknowledges fragmentation in public sector tech spending.
- Labour MP highlights security risks of relying on US tech firms.
- Minister emphasizes need for UK-based tech capabilities and fair procurement.
Microsoft makes Zork I, II, and III open source under MIT License
5 months ago
- Zork, Zork II, and Zork III have been released under the MIT License.
- The open-source initiative was a collaboration between Xbox, Activision, and Microsoft’s Open Source Programs Office (OSPO).
- Only the game code is open-source; commercial packaging, marketing assets, and trademarks remain proprietary.
- Microsoft contributed directly to historical repositories, adding an MIT License via pull requests.
- Microsoft acquired the Zork IP through its 2022 purchase of Activision, which had previously acquired Infocom in the '80s.
- The Zork source code was previously uploaded to GitHub in 2019 but lacked a clear license until now.
Microsoft AI CEO Puzzled by People Being Unimpressed by AI
5 months ago
- Mustafa Suleyman expressed surprise at the negative reaction to Microsoft's AI integration.
- Suleyman finds it 'mindblowing' that people are unimpressed by AI's capabilities like fluent conversation and media generation.
- Critics argue that Microsoft's focus on AI is more about shareholder appeasement than addressing user concerns like UI improvements and security.
- The debate highlights the divide between tech leaders' enthusiasm for AI and public skepticism.
Are consumers just tech debt to Microsoft?
5 months ago
- Microsoft appears to be shifting focus away from consumer tech, prioritizing AI and web services for businesses and developers.
- A rumored affordable MacBook in 2026 could attract consumers due to Apple's consumer-first approach and competitive pricing.
- Gamers, who primarily use Windows out of necessity, may switch to Linux-based alternatives like the upcoming Steam Machine, given Valve's success with the Steam Deck.
Bill Gates sells Microsoft shares
5 months ago
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust significantly reduced its stake in Microsoft by 65%.
- The Trust's portfolio is valued at $37 billion, with Berkshire Hathaway as its largest holding.
- Microsoft is now the fourth-largest holding in the Trust's portfolio.
- The Trust focuses on long-term growth and stability to fund the Foundation's charitable goals.
- The Foundation and Trust operate separately, with the Trust managing investments independently.
- The Trust's portfolio includes major investments in companies like Waste Management, Canadian National Railway, and Coca-Cola.
Fara-7B by Microsoft: An agentic small language model designed for computer use
5 months ago
- Fara-7B is Microsoft's first agentic small language model (SLM) designed for computer use with 7 billion parameters.
- It achieves state-of-the-art performance in its size class and competes with larger models.
- Fara-7B interacts with computers using mouse and keyboard inputs, performing tasks like scrolling, typing, and clicking.
- The model is trained using synthetic data from the Magentic-One multi-agent framework with 145K trajectories.
- Fara-7B can automate tasks such as searching, form filling, booking, shopping, and job hunting.
- It outperforms comparable models in benchmarks like WebVoyager, Online-M2W, DeepShop, and WebTailBench.
- WebTailBench is a new evaluation benchmark with 609 tasks focusing on real-world, underrepresented scenarios.
- Fara-7B can be deployed locally using VLLM or on Azure Foundry without needing GPU resources.
- The model includes robust error handling, task verification, and supports LLM-as-a-judge evaluation.
- Microsoft recommends using Fara-7B in a sandboxed environment for security and privacy.
Microsoft Signing Transparency: Secure Software Supply Chains
5 months ago
- Microsoft announces Signing Transparency preview to enhance software supply chain security.
- Signing Transparency uses an append-only log and secure enclaves for verifiable signature records.
- Modern software supply chains face threats like compromised build systems and stolen certificates.
- Transparency logs make every signed artifact's signature publicly auditable, deterring malicious activities.
- Signing Transparency acts as an impartial notary, ensuring software releases are not secretly modified.
- The service uses COSE envelopes and complies with IETF SCITT standards for open security.
- Countersigning and Merkle tree ledgers ensure tamper-proof records and verifiable receipts.
- Confidential computing (TEE) and CCF back the ledger, ensuring integrity and immutability.
- Benefits include tamper-evident releases, independent verification, and compliance audit trails.
- Signing Transparency extends to firmware and hardware, supporting broader supply chain integrity.
- Enterprises gain security through policy enforcement, accountability, and protection against key compromise.
- The service helps detect supply chain attacks quickly and builds trust through transparency.
The SWE-Bench Illusion
5 months ago
- Microsoft's main navigation includes products like Microsoft 365, Teams, Copilot, Windows, Surface, and Xbox.
- Support and deals are highlighted for small businesses and general users.
- Software offerings include Windows Apps, OneDrive, Outlook, Skype, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Edge.
- PCs & Devices section covers computers, Xbox accessories, VR & mixed reality, and phones.
- Entertainment options include Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Live Gold, and various games and movies.
- Business solutions feature Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and industry-specific tools.
- Developer & IT resources include .NET, Visual Studio, Windows Server, and developer documentation.
- Additional sections cover Microsoft Rewards, education, store locations, and gift cards.
Microsoft drops AI sales targets in half after salespeople miss their quotas
5 months ago
- Microsoft lowered sales growth targets for AI agent products after missing quotas.
- AI agents perform multistep tasks autonomously and were central to Microsoft's 2025 sales pitch.
- Microsoft promised AI agents could automate complex tasks but faced challenges delivering on these promises.
- Sales targets for Azure AI Foundry were reduced after many salespeople missed initial ambitious goals.
Windows Telemetry
5 months ago
- The article tests network connections made by different Windows editions and versions after a default install.
- Methodology involves using virtual machines on a MacBook Air with Little Snitch for network logging.
- Tested versions include Windows 11 and 10 (Consumer, Business, IoT Enterprise LTSC), Windows Server editions, and legacy Windows versions.
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 and Windows 11 Enterprise connect to Google servers.
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC shows the least network connections (20), while Windows 11 Consumer 24H2 shows the most (68).
- Legacy Windows versions like Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 show minimal network connections.
- Domains like www.msftconnecttest.com, login.live.com, and settings-win.data.microsoft.com are commonly contacted.
- The article provides detailed lists of network connections for each tested Windows version.
- No conclusions are drawn, but the data highlights the extent of telemetry in modern Windows versions.

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#microsoft

Refund requests flood Microsoft after tricking users into AI upgrades

Pressured on Israel work, Microsoft asks employees to flag violations

The Linux Kernel Looks to "Bite the Bullet" in Enabling Microsoft C Extensions

How Much OpenAI Spends on Inference and Its Revenue Share with Microsoft

How high are OpenAI's compute costs? Possibly a lot higher than we thought

Agentic Windows

The Smartphone Killed the Xbox

Microsoft Makes Sysmon Native to Windows

Is 30% of Microsoft's code AI-generated?

The Microsoft/Hotmail Debacle (2003)

Microsoft has 'ripped off the NHS', amid call for contracts with British firms

Microsoft makes Zork I, II, and III open source under MIT License

Microsoft AI CEO Puzzled by People Being Unimpressed by AI

Are consumers just tech debt to Microsoft?

Bill Gates sells Microsoft shares

Fara-7B by Microsoft: An agentic small language model designed for computer use

Microsoft Signing Transparency: Secure Software Supply Chains

The SWE-Bench Illusion

Microsoft drops AI sales targets in half after salespeople miss their quotas

Windows Telemetry