What we know so far about Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 12 version.
Support for Windows 10 is set to end in Fall 2025 — a strategic moment aimed at accelerating the shift to Windows 11. But what about its possible successor, Windows 12? Many users, especially those dissatisfied with Windows 11, are hoping for an early release. While Microsoft has remained tight-lipped officially, there are signs that internal development of the next Windows generation is already underway. Here’s a summary of what’s currently known, along with rumors regarding system requirements, pricing, and potential new features in Windows 12.
To be clear: there is no official announcement for Windows 12 at this time — not in the form of a statement, preview, or beta release. Microsoft has avoided making concrete comments about a successor to Windows 11 for quite some time. This ongoing silence has only fueled speculation about the future of the operating system. Enthusiastic fans continue to release concept videos and wish lists outlining features they’d like to see in Windows 12.
While imagining an improved Windows experience is certainly appealing, the current reality is different. The majority of users still rely on Windows 10. Adoption of Windows 11 has been slow and hasn’t met expectations. Even at CES 2025, Windows 12 wasn’t mentioned at all — a clear sign that Microsoft currently has other priorities.
However, the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 this fall could mark a turning point across the Windows ecosystem. And the more aggressively Microsoft pushes its marketing efforts to get users onto Windows 11, the less likely it is that we’ll see Windows 12 anytime soon. For now, the main focus is on:
- Migrating as many PCs as possible from Windows 10 to Windows 11
- Closing the adoption gap for Windows 11
- Increasing user acceptance of the current operating system
Rumors about Windows 12 have been circulating for quite a while. One major driver behind these speculations is Microsoft’s strong push into artificial intelligence. Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, the tech industry has seen dramatic changes. Microsoft has emerged as one of AI’s biggest champions, embedding its Copilot features into nearly all of its products. After years of relatively modest updates to Windows, the company now seems intent on transforming the OS into a platform centered around AI. This led many observers to believe that Windows 11 might soon evolve into a “AI-Windows” under the name Windows 12. So far, however, that hasn’t happened.
Another basis for the Windows 12 speculation is Microsoft’s broader strategy of shifting Windows toward the cloud. While Windows 365 has been available to businesses for some time, the concept is still largely unknown among everyday users. The idea here: if Windows is no longer installed locally but instead streamed, that shift could warrant a new name and version number. Again, no official confirmation has emerged on this front either.