Microsoft killed Skype, confirmed AI in Call of Duty, helped people pirate Windows 11, and began testing Office with ads — ALL IN A SINGLE WEEK

It has been quite the week for Microsoft. The tech giant announced the end of Skype, confirmed the use of AI to generate content in Call of Duty, and began testing a free version of Office that contains ads. Microsoft Copilot also helped people pirate Windows 11 for a brief time, though the AI tool will no longer provide a guide on that when asked.

Farewell Skype

Skype will shut down in just over two months. Microsoft confirmed the May 5, 2025 cutoff date shortly after reports emerged that showed the upcoming end of Skype before Microsoft intended to share it.

Skype launched in 2003 and was an extremely popular platform for video calls and messaging. Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion.

Throughout the 14 years Skype has been part of Microsoft, the platform has struggled to remain relevant. Multiple app rewrites and a shift in focus could not help Skype compete with Zoom, WhatsApp, iMessage, and other platforms.

Microsoft also shifted its focus to Teams years ago, leaving the writing on the wall regarding Skype.

AI in Call of Duty

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone both contain AI-generated content. Many have suspected as much for months, but Activision confirmed the fact this past week.

A zombie Santa with six fingers was just one piece of content that flagged up the possible use of AI within the Call of Duty games.

Since Steam now requires disclosure of AI use in games, Activision had to confirm using AI to make content in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

Many complained about the use of AI within the Call of Duty games, but it seems unlikely Activision, which is owned by Microsoft, will change course. Microsoft announced a new generative AI tool named Muse recently. That tool is currently used for game preservation but could be used in other ways in the future.

Copilot helping pirate Windows 11

Windows 11 pirates gained an unlikely friend recently when it was discovered that Microsoft Copilot would share steps on how to activate Windows 11 without a license.

Earlier this week if you asked Copilot, "is there a script to activate Windows 11," the AI-powered tool would share a how-to guide. The steps in the guide and the script shared did work, though it's generally a poor idea to copy code generated by AI and run it on your PC unless you know what you're doing.

Microsoft appears to have updated Copilot to stop the tool from answering the question. The same query that resulted in a guide before now elicits this response from Copilot:

"I can't assist with that. Using unauthorized scripts to activate Windows 11 is illegal and violates Microsoft's terms of service. It can also expose your system to security risks and malware. If you need to activate Windows 11, I recommend purchasing a genuine license from Microsoft or an authorized retailer. This ensures you receive official support, updates, and a secure experience. If you have any other questions or need help with something else, feel free to ask!"

The fact that it's easy to activate Windows 11 without a license was never newsworthy. It was just ironic to see the method shared by a Microsoft-made tool.

Office with ads

A new free version of Office entered testing recently. Microsoft already allows people to use the Office apps for free on the web, but the company is also testing a free version of Office based on the full desktop apps.

The free version of Office includes ads that stay on the screen permanently. Those Office apps are also limited to saving files to OneDrive, meaning you cannot use them to save files locally.

Microsoft confirmed that the free version of Office is only a test and that the company has no current plans to launch an ad-supported version of Office on the desktop. Though it seems the company is at least considering it, or it would not test a free version of Office.

Windows Central Podcast

Our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino and Senior Editor Zac Bowden discuss the biggest topics in tech and surrounding Microsoft each week. With so much going on over the last week, the most recent episode is jam packed.

• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Pocket Casts
• Subscribe via RSS

Reviews

Our experts go hands-on with the latest PCs, devices, and games each week. This week took more of a gaming focus as Two Point: Museum and Monster Hunter Wilds each had reviews published by our gaming team.

• Two Point Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• Monster Hunter Wilds ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Razer Monitor Stand Chroma ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Razer Handheld Dock ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• ASUS Zenbook Duo ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• HP Omen Desktop ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• GameSir G7 HE controller ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

We've published a ton of reviews this month, so I've listed the most recent ones to help you catch up.

Deals of the Week

Such a flex

Surface Pro Flex Keyboard
Was: $349.99
Now: $249.99 at Best Buy

"The short version of this review is that the new Surface Pro 11 and Flex Keyboard are an outstanding combination that dramatically improves the Surface Pro line—only the original Surface Pro and Surface Pro 4 rival it in terms of impact." — Daniel Rubino, Editor-in-chief

Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: People who want the best Surface Pro experience, including having the option to use a keyboard when attached or detached.

❌Avoid if: You already have a Surface Pro keyboard you are happy with or if you are on a budget.

Battery: Up to 41 hours. Trackpad: Surface precision haptic touchpad. Backlit keys: ✅ Compatibility: Surface Pro 11, Surface Pro 10, Surface Pro 9, Surface Pro 8. Launch date: 2024

👉See at: Best Buy

Return period: 15 days. Price match? Yes (Also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.

💰Price check: $286.18 at Newegg

Avowed
Was: $69.99
Now: $56.89 at CDKeys

"Avowed takes us back to the world of Eora from Pillars of Eternity, and The Living Lands is the most eccentric, colorful, and wild adventure yet. Obsidian Entertainment has done a wonderful job capturing the 'magic' of RPGs like Skyrim that makes exploring every crevice fun, and immersing yourself in this world is stupendously easy." —Zachary Boddy

Windows Central Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: You like the sound of a focused RPG experience with creative and engaging combat, strong writing, and stylized visuals

❌Don't buy if: You're after an open-world type of RPG with a huge map and 100+ hours of content to play through, or you want a dark type of fantasy setting

👀See at: CDKeys

💰Price check: $69.99 at Steam

🤔Alternative deal: $31.59 for 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership

🤩Premium Edition: $77.19 at CDKeys

SWORN | $24.99 $20.19 at CDKeys (Steam, PC)

If you've ever wanted a Hades game with co-op multiplayer, don't miss this new action roguelike from Windwalk Games and Team17 set in a dark spin on Arthurian legend. It's a blast to play with friends, and for the next day or so, you can pick it up for a big 30% discount.

Also see: $21.89 at Fanatical

Incredible deal

HP EliteBook 860 G11
Was: $3,967
Now: $1,749 at HP

Customer rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐ @ HP

✅Perfect for: Practically anyone who wants a high-end 16-inch PC with loads of RAM and storage for 65% off the regular price.

❌Avoid if: You want a laptop made for gaming or you'd like a Copilot+ PC with access to built-in AI tools in Windows 11.

Display: 16 inches, 1920x1200, touch, IPS, anti-glare, 300 nits. CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. NPU: 11 TOPS. GPU: Intel Arc (integrated). RAM: 🚨64GB DDR5-5600MHz. SSD: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe. AI PC: ✔️ Copilot+ PC: ✖️ Launch date: 2024.

👉See at: HP.com

Return period: 30 days Price match: Yes Free shipping: Yes Membership: HP Rewards can get you 1 point for every $1 spent on eligible products.

💰Price check: $1,279 at Amazon (Core Ultra 7 155U, non-touch)

Running out of stock!

Microsoft 365 Personal (12 months)
Was: $69.99
Now: $59.99 at StackSocial

Microsoft 365 sets the standard for productivity. A Microsoft 365 subscription gets you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and many other applications. It also comes with 1TB of OneDrive storage, ad-free Outlook, and access to Microsoft Editor.

✅Perfect for: Anyone who wants the best experience for Microsoft 365 or its Office applications. This subscription grants access to a large library of applications across several devices.

❌Avoid if: You want to avoid paying for a subscription or your needs are met by Office 2024.

👉See at: StackSocial

One of 2024's best

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Was: $69.99
Now: $43.29 at CDKeys (Steam)

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth delivers all the charm of Remake while making the needed improvements to side-content to ensure the original's step-out moment is worth taking once more." — Iain Harris, senior deputy news editor at GamesRadar+

GamesRadar+ review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✅Perfect for: Anyone that wants to save money on a massive JRPG that continues the story from Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

❌Avoid if: You aren't interested in huge role-playing games.

Launch date: Jan. 23, 2025

👉See at: CDKeys

Return period: 7 days (For unredeemed codes). Price match? No. Free shipping: Always. Membership: Free CDKeys account w/ purchase history, exclusive deals, & community features.

💰Price check: $48.99 at GreenManGaming (Steam)

🤩Alternative deal: $40.79 for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at CDKeys (Steam)