Microsoft has begun subtly hinting at the existence of Windows 12, with the next major version of Windows rumoured to arrive in 2024
Windows 10 was originally described as “the last version of Windows”, with Microsoft providing regular updates rather than launching a brand-new version.
However, that all changed with the release of Windows 11, which went from rumour to official reveal in a matter of weeks. The cancellation of Windows 10X influenced Microsoft’s decision, but the company had clearly been working on a new operating system for a while.
It now looks like the company is shifting to a three-year update cycle for major versions of Windows, meaning Windows 12 would be announced as soon as next year. While nothing has been confirmed by Microsoft, there are plenty of rumours flying around. Here’s everything you need to know.Will there be a Windows 12?
It’s looking likely. There was a six-year gap between the release of Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the latter isn’t expected to be the last major version of Windows.
A July 2022 Windows Central article suggested a Windows 11 successor is in the works, although there’s no guarantee it’ll be known as Windows 12. A subsequent March 2023 article details some of the upgrades you can expect. Both articles cite author Zac Bowden’s ‘sources’, but he has a strong track record for Windows news.
In February 2023, VideoCardz.com reported on a since deleted tweet from leaker @leaf_hobby, where the OS list for an upcoming Intel Meteor Lake desktop CPU apparently included Windows 12. We can’t verify how accurate this is, but the leaker in question has a solid track record for Intel leaks.
Shortly after that, in an interview with The Verge, Microsoft head of consumer marketing Yusuf Mehdi mentioned “develop future versions of Windows” in reference to AI features. That may just mean a future update, but a new major version would make a lot of sense.
Then, in March 2023, Microsoft launched a new fourth ‘Canary’ channel of the Windows Insider Program. This will be more experimental than even the existing ‘Dev’ channel, and Microsoft says it’ll be used to “preview platform changes that require longer-lead time before getting release to customers”.
It means builds in the Canary Channel will be very unstable, but provide access to features that are a long way away from general release. It’s also notable that there’s no mention of Windows 11 in Microsoft’s summary of the Canary Channel below – that could mean it’s only for Windows 12 features.
In an article reporting this development, Windows Latest, said the Canary Channel “would lay the groundwork for the next-gen, likely Windows 12”.
As expected, there was no mention of Windows 12 at Microsoft’s Build developer conference in May 2023. However, as Windows Latest reports, the company did include a screenshot with mention of “the next generation of Windows”.
This didn’t turn out to be a real event, but Microsoft is likely working on “the next generation of Windows” behind closed doors. Will these just be updates to Windows 11, or a brand-new version in the form of Windows 12? That remains to be seen.
As the article goes on to highlight an earlier instance where Microsoft mentioned “Next Valley Prototype Design”. Next Valley is thought to be the internal codename for Windows 12.
The first report on Windows 12 came from German tech site Deskmodder back in February 2022, which suggested Microsoft was making preparations for Windows 12. The article mentions “our information” as the source, although it previously referred to a now-deleted tweet from SwiftOnSecurity which was revealed to be a joke.
However, the hints from Microsoft and Intel, combined with reports from two reputable publications, means it’s likely a major new version of Windows is on the way. It’ll most like to be called Windows 12, but a different name may be chosen.
