What to Expect in Windows 12 Download: Leaks, Rumors!
We can’t say Windows 12 is the next big update of Windows. Because it will be Windows 11 24H2. It will be seen in the second half of 2024. It will be based on a new platform called “Germanium”. But we are not disappointe because we will see Windows 12 at some point. Microsoft hasn’t officially commented on Windows 12 development, but indicators suggest it’s coming at some point.
When is Windows 12 coming?
Microsoft has announced that it has moved to an annual feature update cadence for the OS. They say Windows 12 could arrive around September or October 2025.
Microsoft has confirm that the 2024 update of the operating system will not be called Windows 12, but instead will be called 24H2. The next Windows will be base on the Germanium platform, which powers artificial intelligence features in the new Copilot+ PCs.
Windows 12 may arrive sooner than expect as Microsoft starts implementing a new update cadence for Windows. In a September 2023 interview, Intel’s chief financial officer said in a statement that he predict an increase in PC sales due to the “Windows refresh”.
Another point to consider is that Windows 11 has only surpassed 33% market share among Windows versions. Windows 10 still leads with 63%. Introducing another version will further split the pie.
Later versions of Windows will have more AI built into the OS. It will switch to a lighter modular code and is codename “Hudson Valley.”
A peek at the Windows 12 desktop at Ignite
Another glimpse of a possible Windows 12 came at Microsoft Ignite, a conference focused on the IT community. The company let slip a Windows desktop interface with a modified look, which many believe represents Windows 12.
- A hypothetical Windows 12 desktop layout shown at Ignite 2023
- Windows 12 desktop layout at Ignite 2023 (Credit: Microsoft)
- Gone is Windows as a Service?
Does Windows 12 require a subscription?
Eagle-eyed code watchers notice references to “subscription version,” “subscription type,” and “subscription status” in the Windows Insider build’s code on the Canary channel. This suggests that Microsoft will require subscriptions for future OSes. A free, ad-support version of Windows 12 may also be available.
But all the above sentences can only be speculations. A strong possibility is that these references to subscriptions are for business users. Like the already available Windows 365 Cloud PC option. Bowden even publish an article debunking the subscription rumor.
Windows 12 will have more built-in AI
Windows 11’s 23H2 update last October brought powerful new AI tools in the form of Windows Copilot. It is already impressive and powerful. Although it may have more power to control your PC. Such user-facing predictive and assistive tools may only be applicable to Windows 12. AI technology can also improve back-end things like code stability, update delivery and security.
All the AI coming to Windows 12 is thought to benefit from NPUs for native AI processing like machine learning. Even with the Copilot+ PC, AI functions on the device are limite to things like video call effects, image generation, and the aforementione recall. We can expect more AI functionality to be handle by your own PC hardware in the future, rather than Microsoft’s servers.
In the new Recall feature
We’ve seen this with feedback on Copilot+ PC’s new Recall feature, which lets you search your computer to find everything it’s done before. Although Microsoft says that all data encrypted with BitLocker remains on your local machine, not sent to servers over the web. Does not record sensitive things like passwords or private browsing. Safety experts raised an uproar, prompting the recall. But many found this feature fascinating and helpful.
Finally, decent ARM processor support?
Microsoft has been embarrassing itself for years with really poor performance on non-Intel/AMD-powered PCs, especially when you consider that the great speed benefits its main desktop competition.
