2022---windows-12--new-operating-system-already-in-the-works- May 2026

: Allowing Windows to run lean on low-end hardware while remaining powerful on workstations. Current Status: Windows 11 24H2 vs. Windows 12

While Microsoft has not officially named its next major version "Windows 12," The Origin of the "Windows 12" Rumors (2022) : Allowing Windows to run lean on low-end

: Instead of a "Windows 12" launch in 2024, Microsoft focused on the Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2) . This version includes many of the "AI PC" features originally rumored for Windows 12. This version includes many of the "AI PC"

: Microsoft may stick with the "Windows 11" branding longer to avoid further fragmenting the user base, given that many PCs still cannot officially run Windows 11 due to hardware requirements. Summary of Key Dates Early 2022 First reports of a three-year release cycle. Late 2022 Late 2022 The phrase refers to early reports

The phrase refers to early reports and rumors that surfaced around mid-2022 suggesting Microsoft had shifted its development cycle to a three-year release schedule, effectively putting Windows 12 on the roadmap for a potential 2024 or 2025 release .

In 2022, internal shifts at Microsoft signaled a change in how Windows is updated:

If a brand-new operating system (Windows 12) is released, it is expected to focus on these core pillars: