Windows 12 will not be released in 2024, as Microsoft announced that the next version of Windows will be Windows 11 24H2, under the Hudson Valley codename. The corporation specified that testers in the Dev/Canary channels would observe the new version of Windows appearing in Settings, Winver, and other areas.
Highlights
- Release: Expected in late 2024 or early 2025.
- Availability: There are rumors that it might already be in testing on the Windows Insider program’s Canary channel, but this has not been officially confirmed.
- Windows 11 Update: The release of Windows 11 24H2 (or 2024 update) in October 2024 might indicate a delay for Windows 12.
- System Requirements: These are likely higher than those of Windows 11. Hardware virtualization still requires TPM 2, Secure Boot, and a recent processor (2018 or later). A minimum of 8GB RAM and 64GB storage (SSD is preferred) are required. An optional requirement might be a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for full functionality, but it is currently very expensive.
- Subscription: Unclear, but most speculations suggest it won’t be required.
Important Note: This information is based on rumors and speculation, not official announcements from Microsoft.
Windows 11 24H2 is expected to be the most significant update for artificial intelligence features in the operating system and will carry a build number in the 26xxx range. Details about the OS update will be accessible under Settings > System > About after installing build 26052 or a newer version.
Microsoft has announced that the upcoming version of Windows 11 will be integrated into an annual feature update cycle. This new operating system will follow a yearly feature update schedule, with releases scheduled for the second half of each year.
Qualcomm hinted at a potential Windows 12 release during the Snapdragon X launch in October last year. However, Microsoft has opted to proceed with developing Windows 11 instead.
The corporation’s executives are keen on increasing the adoption of Windows Copilot and other artificial intelligence features. To accomplish this, Microsoft intends to concentrate on delivering updates to Windows 11 rather than developing a new version like Windows 12.
The company has not canceled Windows 12; its release could be in 2025 or later. Sources from Windows Latest shared that Microsoft is also working on a new version of Windows similar to ChromeOS to compete with Chromebooks in the education market.
