Everyone's Freaking Out About Microsoft's Leaked AI Windows. They Shouldn't Be
Everyone's talking about Project Aion this week because of a leaked video from 2024 in which Microsoft shows off an AI-focused Windows desktop experience. In this experimental OS, Copilot replaces the Start menu, and only Microsoft Edge web apps can run. Is this the future? I don't think so, and I'll tell you why.
Microsoft made no secret about its plans for the future at Build. Yes, the company thinks agentic AI is the destiny for Windows . But Microsoft is also betting on Windows desktop apps and improving the desktop experience first. Based on conversations I've had with Microsoft executives over the past few months, I doubt they have plans to launch a Copilot-focused AI operating system that exclusively runs web apps. Even if the company was moving in that direction a few years ago, it's just not the focus right now, as far as I can tell.
Windows will surely get more AI features in the years to come, just like Google's Googlebook OS , macOS Golden Gate , and even the Ubuntu Linux desktop . But Microsoft probably won't delete the Start menu or force you away from traditional Windows applications any time soon.
Read on for my take on what Project Aion means for Microsoft and other big news from the company this week.
Don't Worry: Project Aion Isn't Windows 12
A video of Microsoft's Project Aion leaked in early July, showing an AI -focused "Copilot OS." The video's narration starts by saying, "Aion is an example of a web-based agent OS that natively builds Copilot into the core of the shell." The video says Aion is "built from Microsoft Edge" and can replace the desktop shell experience on Windows 11. Project Aion apparently doesn't run traditional Windows desktop apps; it only supports Copilot AI experiences and web applications. As mentioned, Aion also replaces the Start menu with a Copilot Start menu.
What's unclear is whether this was an experimental internal project or something Microsoft ever planned to release. The company hasn't commented either way. The good news is that, based on conversations I've had over the last few months, I don't believe Microsoft plans to debut anything like this. If it is, it's not talking about it publicly.
Over the coming months, Microsoft is making Windows 11 less annoying . Only then is it planning to integrate agentic AI more deeply in Windows. The planned OpenClaw -style AI agents will be able to use your PC and Windows desktop applications; they won't force you into a Copilot-driven web experience. Additionally, Microsoft already has plans for an AI-centric operating system experience called Project Solara . It's meant for smaller devices, such as badges and smart displays, not traditional Windows PCs like Project Aion supposedly was. Still, Microsoft seems to like the Aion name. At Build, Microsoft announced a family of small language models for on-device AI with names such as Aion 1.0 Instruct and Aion 1.0 Plan.
Check Your PC's Secure Boot Status Now
Windows 10 PCs are getting another year of security updates , but Secure Boot could be a problem for some devices. Modern PCs use Secure Boot to protect the startup process from rootkits and other malware . Secure Boot certificates began expiring near the end of June, putting some machines at risk. Although Microsoft can automatically update older Secure Boot certificates on many PCs, others will need an update from their manufacturer. I recommend checking to ensure your PC is secure, especially if you're using a Windows 10-era PC.
To check the status of Secure Boot on your PC , open the Windows Security app from your Start menu. Click Device Securityand look under Secure Boot. The message here will inform you of the status of Secure Boot on your PC. On most PCs, you'll see a message indicating that Secure Boot is enabled and up to date. If it needs an update from the hardware manufacturer, you'll see a message about the problem with a link to get more information.
Microsoft Is Gutting Its Xbox Division
Microsoft's Xbox division announced plans to lay off 3,200 employees this week and to shut down four studios in the process. Compulsion Games and Double Fine are becoming independent studios once again, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are heading to new owners. Microsoft is also discussing selling or closing Arkane Studios.
Microsoft has spent billions of dollars acquiring game studios over the past few years. Previous Xbox CEO Phil Spencer also wanted to acquire both Nintendo and Valve, the creator of Steam, according to an internal memo revealed during the FTC v. Microsoft trial. Now, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma writes that "It is neither possible nor desirable to own every great independent studio," noting that Microsoft's Xbox business is "not healthy."
Sharma previously said that the next-generation Xbox, codenamed "Project Helix," would run PC games as well as Xbox games . Matthew Ball, Chief Strategy Officer of Xbox, recently said the company is "working very hard to rethink everything that we can about Helix" given the RAM crisis driving up component prices. Sharma is discussing " radically different business models " for the gaming business, and the future of Xbox is up in the air.
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