Windows 12 will be out very soon. Although Microsoft hasn’t spilled the beans officially, sneaky leaks and trustworthy rumors are pointing toward a 2024 release. That’s pretty speedy, especially when you compare it to the gap between Windows 10 and 11.
We’re talking six years versus just two! But before Windows 10, new Windows versions used to pop up every three years or so. So, the buzz about Windows 12 might not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Stick around as we dive into the juicy details about the potential release date and all the gossip surrounding Windows 12!
Windows 12 release date
Microsoft seems to be shaking things up by planning to release major updates for Windows every three years. If they stick to this new schedule, we could be getting Windows 12 in 2024.
The freshest leak about Windows 12 is courtesy of the Taiwanese newspaper Commercial Times, and it’s got the inside scoop that the big launch is set for June 2024. Microsoft Build is just around the corner in late May, so there’s a chance we might get an official announcement at Build, followed by the grand release the next month.
The most convincing sign pointing towards a 2024 launch for Windows 12 comes from Intel’s chief financial officer. In a recent statement, he hinted at a surge in PC sales, all thanks to the anticipated new version of Windows set to hit the scene next year.
Now, here’s the lowdown: previous predictions were leaning more toward a fall release. However, it seems like Windows 12 wants to make an entrance a bit earlier. According to a report from Windows Central, the folks over at Microsoft are even giving it a cool internal nickname – “Next Valley.”
Rumors of revamped desktop interface
We have a glimpse into the potential future of Windows 12, courtesy of Microsoft Ignite—the ultimate conference for the IT community. During the event, eagle-eyed observers caught sight of a revamped Windows desktop interface, raising speculation that it could be a preview of what’s to come in Windows 12.
The image, although a bit intentionally blurry, showcases some interesting alterations, including a floating taskbar, a search bar at the top, and relocated system icons now residing in the top-right corner. And don’t miss the weather button staking its claim in the top-left corner.
But before you get too excited, these design tweaks might not be enough to justify a whole new Windows version. They’re not as drastic as the overhaul we saw from Windows 10 to 11. Plus, moving around system information, a trick familiar to Mac users, might feel like an unnecessary shake-up for the loyal Windows crowd.
Enhanced AI features
Windows 12 is set to take artificial intelligence (AI) to the next level. It will likely build on the powerful tools introduced in Windows 11’s 23H2 update, like the impressive Windows Copilot. While Copilot has already proven its worth, Windows 12 aims to step it up with even more PC-control capabilities.
In the upcoming version, user-facing predictive and assistive tools are expected to become stronger. Not just stopping at user interface enhancements, AI technology will also improve the nitty-gritty aspects. This could include code stability and update delivery in the back end.
Before Copilot, Windows had already dipped its toes into the AI pool with conversational search in the Search panel and default Edge web browser. And if a recent Windows Insider blog post is any indication, get ready for a Recommended section in File Explorer.
This nifty feature suggests files and folders you’re likely to want to open, initially designed for users with Active Directory accounts but possibly extending to anyone with a OneDrive login.
Is Windows changing its update style?
Back when Windows 10 made its grand entrance, Microsoft promised a steady flow of updates between the major ones, coining the term “Windows as a service.” Following suit, Windows 11 has stuck to this plan, and Windows 12 is not going to be an unchanging, one-size-fits-all system.
Nope, it’s going to evolve and introduce new features regularly. Just think about how different and more capable Windows 10 became in 2020 compared to its 2015 version. All thanks to those in-between feature updates!
Even though Microsoft once called Windows 10 “the last version of Windows,” they want to make it clear that they’re not done with the update game. The tradition of major feature updates and smaller interim updates is very much alive with Windows 11. And all signs point to this strategy sticking around for Windows 12 too!
Windows 12 might come with a subscription
Some sharp-eyed code watchers have spotted interesting terms like “subscription edition,” “subscription type,” and “subscription status” in the code for a Windows Insider build. This build is in the earliest release channel, the Canary channel.
This discovery has sparked speculation about Microsoft potentially introducing a subscription requirement for the OS in the future. Surprisingly, this could even lead to lower PC prices. Additionally, there’s chatter about the possibility of a free, ad-supported version of Windows 12.
Before we all jump to conclusions, there’s another angle to consider. These subscription references might be geared towards business users, much like the existing Windows 365 Cloud PC option.
If a subscription becomes a necessity, it’s bound to stir up some commotion among the loyal Windows user base. We’ve seen similar reactions before, like when Adobe Photoshop shifted to a subscription model. Despite initial outrage, many users eventually subscribed, boosting Adobe’s profits and paving the way for impressive new features in the software. The Windows 12 subscription saga is one to keep an eye on!
