Microsoft Introduces DeepSeek to Windows 11 and Unveils New Surface Devices

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This Week in IT, Surface Copilot+ PCs go all in with Intel, Microsoft announces DeepSeek support is coming to Windows, and the WSUS driver sync service is being retired.

Links and resources

Introducing new Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business – https://blogs.windows.com/devices/2025/01/30/introducing-new-surface-copilot-pcs-for-business/
Introducing Edge and Miracast on Surface Hub 3 – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/surfaceitpro/introducing-edge-and-miracast-on-surface-hub-3/4365746
Understanding the Microsoft Pluton security processor – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/understanding-the-microsoft-pluton-security-processor/4370413
Running Distilled DeepSeek R1 models locally on Copilot+ PCs, powered by Windows Copilot Runtime – https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2025/01/29/running-distilled-deepseek-r1-models-locally-on-copilot-pcs-powered-by-windows-copilot-runtime/
PSA: Microsoft to Retire WSUS Driver Synchronization — What It Means for IT Administrators – https://petri.com/microsoft-retire-wsus-driver-synchronization/

Episode overview

This Week in IT covers various updates from Microsoft, including new AI support, device releases, and service changes.

Microsoft Adds DeepSeek Support: Microsoft announced support for DeepSeek R1, an open-source AI model, on Windows 11 Copilot Plus PCs, initially for Snapdragon X devices, with future support for Intel and AMD processors.
DeepSeek AI Model Overview: DeepSeek is a cost-effective AI model developed in China, outperforming some OpenAI models in certain tasks, and is designed to run locally on devices equipped with neural processing units.
Surface Plus Co-pilot PCs: Microsoft is releasing new Surface devices, including the Surface Laptop 7 for business and the Surface Pro 11, both featuring advanced security and AI capabilities.
Surface Laptop 7 Features: The Surface Laptop 7 for business includes an Intel Ultra Core Series 2 processor, Pluton security chip, and Windows Hello for Business, enhancing security and performance.
Windows Server Update Services Changes: Microsoft is retiring the DriverSync service in Windows Server Update Services, requiring manual driver downloads from the Microsoft update catalog starting April 18.
Intune Migration Encouraged: Microsoft encourages organizations to transition from Windows Server Update Services to Intune for better update management and regular cloud service payments.
Security Copilot for Surface Devices: Microsoft is enabling Security Copilot for managing Surface devices, integrating AI to analyze data and resolve issues more efficiently.

Russell Smith

Editorial Director at Petri IT Knowledgebase. Russell has more than 20 years' experience working in IT. From small business to large government IT infrastructure projects. Russell started his writing career for Windows IT Pro magazine in the early 2000s. Since then, Russell has contributed to a variety of publications, including Petri, CDW's list of publications, and various industry blogs including Netwrix, BeyondTrust, and others. In addition to more than 1000 articles Russell has authored, he has also written a book on Windows security and co-authored another for Microsoft's MOAC series. Russell has also authored several courses for Pluralsight.