Microsoft, the other big U.S. tech company in the race, had big news this week at its Build 2025 conference. The event showcased the company’s commitment to open-source software by unveiling several applications and tools designed to enhance developers’ experiences. One of the most notable innovations was “Edit,” a new, full-screen command-line text editor for Windows. It saves time, reducing coding burdens and creating a more user-friendly experience.
The Build 2025 conference served as a platform for Microsoft to demonstrate its focus on accessibility and collaboration within the developer community. The company introduced Edit, providing a new option for those who prefer a command-line interface over traditional graphical user interfaces. This announcement is another step in Microsoft’s clear and consistent mission to bolster developer productivity, regardless of stack or environment.
This week, Microsoft launched Edit. They shared plans to begin migrating new AI-powered features from the wildly successful GitHub Copilot extension over to the open-source Visual Studio Code (VS Code) repository in the coming months. This process will help to increase the power and functionality of VS Code. As a result, it will be an even more powerful tool for developers. With the addition of AI coding tools that give smart suggestions and help automate repetitive coding tasks, the process will become even quicker and easier.
Microsoft’s open-source initiatives announced at the Build 2025 conference highlight its commitment to creating innovative pathways for the next generation of software developers. The firm releases a variety of research and planning tools for public use. This launch encourages teamwork and increases efficiency among coders worldwide. This last point, and the overall alignment with open-source principles is as much a strategic play to put Microsoft at the forefront of the modern tech industry.
TechCrunch, a national technology media outlet and a leader in that field, dedicated significant in-kind coverage to the event. Here, the publication’s AI Editor Kyle Wiggers breaks down the new AI-focused offerings and what they might mean for the developer landscape. Wiggers and his partner, a music therapist, live on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He emphasized the positive impact these strides have had among the tech community.
Getty Images, used with permission TechCrunch’s full coverage of Microsoft’s announcements is here. We must recognize this ownership. Chesnot/Getty Images Pedestrians walk by Microsoft’s logo on the campus of the tech giant in Issaquah, Washington. This picture reinforces the firm’s outsized influence in the technology ecosystem.