Windows 11 has been around for more than a few years now, and it periodically gets new features called "moments" as well as annual updates. But what about the new version of Windows that will come after Windows 11?

Earlier leaks from Intel and Qualcomm have mentioned Windows 12, leading some to speculate that Windows 12 may be in development at Microsoft and will arrive in 2024.

Regardless of whether it's called Windows 12 or Windows 11 24H2, it's in for a big update. Here's what we know so far.

Windows 12 name and release date

 

Microsoft hasn't announced a release date for Windows 12, nor has it revealed that it's working on the OS at all. The most we can rely on is a report from Windows Central's Zach Bowden, who claims that Microsoft likely won't release Windows 12 this year. Instead, Microsoft will keep the Windows 11 name and continue to update it with new features. Windows 12 is expected to be codenamed "Hudson Valley."

Some Windows 12 features have already been tested and are expected to appear in Windows 11 later this year in Windows 11 24H2, which will be released later this fall. So, in a sense, consider that Windows 11 24H2 features are things that could appear in Windows 12.

That may not be entirely true, but if Microsoft wants to announce Windows 12, it could do so during its Build developer conference. The company has confirmed that it will hold a media-only event on May 21, and it's expected to reveal more about its "vision for AI in hardware and software."

The departure of Windows head Panos Panay from Microsoft seems to have shaken up the idea of Windows 12. The company has changed the direction of Windows 12 and wants to focus on Windows 11. After all, Windows 10 still reigns supreme with 1.4 billion monthly active devices, while Windows 11 lags far behind with only 400 million devices.

Compatibility

 

Again, we don't expect Windows 12 to arrive this year. Instead, we'll see Windows 11 24H2, but we believe that everything that applies to the Windows 11 update could also apply to Windows 12 when Microsoft wants to release it.

Windows 11 received a lot of censure for requiring the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to be installed on a computer, as well as strict processor requirements. According to Microsoft, it was an attempt to raise the bar on security across the entire Windows ecosystem by combining modern security with a modern OS.

It was jarring at the time, but since the announcement of Windows 11, Microsoft has made significant strides (gamers, who mostly experienced the TPM issue, have started to migrate to Windows 11). We expect that with Windows 12, Microsoft will stick to the same security framework as Windows 11, so upgrading won't be as difficult, especially on custom-built PCs.

If Microsoft wants to raise the requirements again, at least we hope there will be fewer restrictions on installing Windows 12. The annoying watermark continues to appear on Windows 11 PCs that aren't properly configured to work with the OS, even if they are fully supported. Hopefully Microsoft can handle the next version with more grace. Already today, custom PCs that support Windows 11 say they are not supported due to customization issues.

Will be update free?

 

It probably goes without saying, but whenever Windows 12 comes out, it should be a free upgrade for Windows 11 users. That's how Windows 11 gets a free annual upgrade to a new version, which this year will be update 24H2.

Microsoft is still selling new licenses for Windows 11, but anyone using a licensed version of Windows 10 can upgrade for free. Hopefully, Microsoft will keep this system in place for Windows 12 as well.

The main reason I'd like to see this happen has to do with the growing amount of data Microsoft is collecting on Windows users. Starting with Windows 8.1, Microsoft has offered subsequent versions of the OS for free, and mostly because the OS has evolved into a service that Microsoft can monetize by thinking about data collection and advertising. I don't think that situation will change with Windows 12.

While some privacy-minded people justify Microsoft's data collection, these efforts mean that Windows updates remain free for license holders, rather than costing $100 or so as they did with previous versions of Windows.

Characteristics

 

AI is the next big thing for Microsoft as well as its partners. The new wave of Surface PCs are expected to ship with Intel Core Ultra and Snapdragon X Elite chips equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). We expect Windows 12 to be all about artificial intelligence and how these devices can use the NPU to their advantage for performance tasks. Again, we expect some of this to show up in the Windows 11 24H2 update as well.

We expect an enhanced version of Copilot to appear in the OS. Rumor has it that Copilot in Windows 11 24H2 will better understand your workflows thanks to the "AI Explorer" feature. Similar to the discontinued Timeline feature in Windows 10, AI Explorer can contextualize what's happening on your screen and help you jump into your workflow with search moments. This is in addition to gaming features we know will be coming in Windows 11, such as "Super Resolution," which can use artificial intelligence to enhance graphics in games.

Microsoft's multi-billion dollar investment in OpenAI has already revolutionized everything from Bing Chat to artificial intelligence features in Skype. In Windows 12, AI is expected to further impact all parts of the OS.

Design

 

Windows 11 has given Microsoft's OS a much-needed facelift. Rounded corners, a centered taskbar, and updated icons all around make Windows 11 a much more modern OS. Windows 12 could be even more modern when Microsoft is ready to release it. The company shared a mockup of a new version of Windows with a floating and semi-transparent taskbar. It's unknown if this will appear in Windows 12, but it looks very nice.

But we'd still like to see deeper customization options. There are several tools that make Windows 11 look like Windows 10, and Microsoft could integrate these features into Windows 12 itself. Options to move the taskbar to different sides of the screen, change the style of the Start menu, and disable system features like widgets would be very useful.