Photo: Allbreaknews.com
According to experts, Windows 12 is expected to be released in 2024. Considering that Microsoft's major updates usually occur during the fall in the US, it's believed that the Windows 12 launch will happen between September and November next year.
Keep in mind that Windows 12 has not been officially revealed by Microsoft yet, meaning we don't have an exact release date. The year 2024 is only a rumor for the OS debut and there's a chance this date could change at some point. Furthermore, the name “Windows 12” isn't certain, as there wasn't a Windows 9 release; Microsoft might opt for a different name.
When will Windows 12 be released?
According to Zac Bowden, a journalist from WindowsCentral known for accurate information, Windows 12 will be released in 2024, according to his internal sources at Microsoft. The fact that Microsoft tends to release a new version of its operating system every 3 years also supports this rumor. If the company indeed follows this schedule, we might expect Windows 13 in 2027 and Windows 14 in 2030.
What's New in Windows 12?
During the Microsoft Ignite 2022 event, an image of the possible Windows 12 desktop appeared. At that time, a screenshot featuring Microsoft Teams running on the desktop was shown, which initially appeared similar to the Windows 11 look. However, upon closer inspection, the following changes were noted:
- A floating taskbar instead of an edge-to-edge taskbar.
- A floating search box at the top of the screen.
- System icons (such as the system tray and notification icons) displayed at the upper-right corner of the screen, over the desktop background.
- Weather displayed at the upper-left corner of the screen, over the desktop background.
According to specialized speculators, the above image shows a prototype of the Windows 12 interface. Since the screenshot “mysteriously appeared” during the Microsoft Ignite 2022 presentations, there's a significant chance that it could be a real Windows 12 image, with the intention of exciting Windows enthusiasts.
Photo: New Windows 12
According to WindowsCentral's sources, the image shown at Ignite 2022 is “a representation of a design that Microsoft hopes to use in a future version of Windows.” The informants also mentioned that the company is working on a substantial redesign of other OS elements, including the lock screen and notification center.
It's believed that Microsoft is striving to balance the needs of touch-screen devices with those using mouse and keyboard. Moreover, due to recent updates to Microsoft's productivity programs, along with Bing and the Edge browser, experts speculate that developers might create a floating search box with AI features based on ChatGPT and the new Bing technology. They also discuss the possibility of the search feature communicating with other installed apps on Windows PCs.
Will You Need to Pay for Windows 12?
If your computer already has a built-in license for Windows 10 or Windows 11, it's likely that downloading and installing Windows 12 will be free. Since the practice of free upgrades has been in place for a considerable time, it's believed this practice will continue in the next Windows generations.
Minimum Requirements to Run Windows 12
If your computer doesn't have hardware compatible with Windows 11, it's likely not to support Windows 12 “Next Valley.” However, there's speculation that Microsoft might make Windows 12 more inclusive than Windows 11, offering greater accessibility in its next-generation operating system.
When Will Microsoft End Support for Windows 11?
Speculation suggests that Microsoft plans to stop offering security updates for Windows 11 at the end of 2028. This date is supported by the fact that Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and will have its support ending on October 14, 2025.
With the release of the Windows 11 version 23H2 update between September and November 2023, it's likely that Microsoft will slow down the pace of implementing new features for the operating system. The same happened with Windows 10 when Windows 11 debuted.
