Our Take
Build 2026 is a logistics story, not a news story: the conference exists, it streams free, and AI will dominate the agenda—but Microsoft hasn't disclosed what it will actually announce.
Why it matters
Developer conference keynotes often preview platform shifts and new tools. If you build on Azure or Windows, the next 48 hours will show you what Microsoft is prioritizing for 2026.
Do this week
Register free at microsoft.com/build before sessions start so you can use the scheduler planner to queue talks relevant to your stack.
Build 2026 opens today with free virtual access
Microsoft is hosting its yearly Build developer conference in San Francisco starting today, June 2nd. CEO Satya Nadella will deliver the opening keynote at 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT. The in-person event is sold out, but Microsoft is streaming all sessions online for free.
Registration is open and gives attendees access to a session scheduler to filter the two-day program. The keynote will also stream directly on Microsoft's YouTube channel without registration.
According to the session catalog, the conference will focus heavily on AI. Nadella and other Microsoft leaders will discuss how the company is "creating new opportunity for developers across our platforms in this era of AI," though specific announcements have not been detailed in advance.
Build sits between Google I/O (held recently) and Apple's WWDC (coming later). Microsoft's timing in the middle of the three major developer events positions it as a checkpoint for where the company stands on developer tools and platform strategy in 2026.
Undefined announcement agenda works against you
Build keynotes typically announce new developer tools, SDKs, and sometimes hardware. Microsoft recently confirmed a Surface Laptop Ultra with Nvidia's RTX Spark superchip launching this fall, so product details may appear on stage. However, Microsoft has released no agenda details beyond the theme.
This opacity means you cannot pre-read technical specs or evaluate relevance before tuning in. If you depend on Azure, GitHub, or Windows tooling, the keynote may contain information that affects your roadmap—but you won't know until it airs.
The AI focus is unsurprising for a 2026 developer event, but it is also vague. "AI" spans model access, fine-tuning infrastructure, agent frameworks, and cost models. Without knowing which areas Microsoft is addressing, practitioners cannot judge whether the announcements will change their tool choices.
Register now and set calendar blocks
Register free at microsoft.com/build before the keynote starts. Use the session planner to tag talks on your platform stack (Azure, Windows, GitHub Copilot, etc.) so you can watch live or review recordings without hunting later.
Keynotes run long and product reveals often bury technical details in marketing. Have a second screen open with your current tool licensing and vendor contracts; if a new service or pricing model gets announced, you can immediately assess switching costs.
If you attend only the keynote, you will see what Microsoft wants to highlight. If you pick three to five breakout sessions afterward, you will learn how developers are actually using the new tools. Both matter.