Windows 11 will be released on October 5th, 2021, more than six years after Windows 10. Microsoft is currently preparing to release Windows 11 version 22H2, but from what we have heard, the next release could very well be Windows 12.
Microsoft appears to be abandoning major annual updates in favour of releasing a major new version of Windows every three years, similar to what happened before Windows 10.
Microsoft has not officially announced a new version of Windows, and it has downplayed reports of Windows 12. The company has officially committed to annual updates and smaller feature updates for Windows 11.
Still, it’s never too early to start planning for the future, and there’s a good chance we’ll see a follow-up to Windows 11 at some point. Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect for the time being.
What’s new in Windows 12?
It is still too early to tell what features will be included in Windows 12. The 2022 Update, also known as version 22H2, recently added a slew of new features to Windows 11. If you’re curious about what’s new in Windows 11 22H2, you can read about it here.
Aside from that, we can see what is on the way by looking at the Windows Insider Program. Every week, Windows Insiders receive new builds, many of which include new features and changes, such as the new search bar designs shown above. We anticipate that many of these will be included.
It’s also possible that most of Windows 12’s changes will be kept under wraps until much closer to launch, as we saw with Windows 11 before its June 24th, 2021 announcement. That’s all we have to say about Windows 12 for the time being. Even the name isn’t set in stone just yet, but it’s the simplest way to refer to the next version of Windows. We’ll be sure to add more information as it becomes available over the next few years, so keep checking back for updates.
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Will Windows 12 be a free upgrade?
One of the biggest concerns is whether you’ll have to pay to upgrade to Windows 12 when (and if) it becomes available, but thankfully, that’s unlikely.
Microsoft has been committed to providing major Windows updates to existing Windows users for free for several years, and it only makes sense for this to continue. Of course, Windows 12 will not be free, so if you don’t already have a Windows license, you’ll have to purchase it.
What might entice you to spend money is whether your PC is compatible with it, but that’s a topic for its own section.
Will Windows 12 be available for a free upgrade?
No, is the most likely answer. Microsoft has significantly softened its push to force users to install new versions of Windows. Windows 11 is still an optional update for Windows 10 users, and this is likely to continue in future releases.
However, if your version of Windows is nearing the end of its support period, updating to a newer version may be required. For example, if you have a Home or Pro edition of Windows, the original release of Windows 11 will be supported for 24 months. While Windows 11 version 22H2 is not required, it will most likely be installed automatically in 2023, allowing you to continue receiving security updates.
The same logic is likely to apply to Windows 12, though it is unclear how support periods will work with the new three-year release cycle. Because major new versions will only be released every three years, having a two-year support cycle for each version makes little sense. We’ll have to wait and see how Microsoft changes its policy for major Windows versions.
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Will Windows 12 have different hardware requirements?
This is a great question to ponder after Windows 11 significantly increased the minimum system requirements compared to Windows 10.
Will Windows 12 abandon older PCs once more? It’s too soon to tell, but there’s a chance that some PCs will be incompatible for one reason or another. Windows 11 currently requires processors released after 2018, and while we don’t see any reason why the next Windows release should require more than that, it’s possible.
It’s difficult to say whether there are any other requirements. Windows 11 requires 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, so Windows 12 will at the very least require the same. You should also not expect Microsoft to back down on things like TPM requirements, though you may still be able to install Windows 12 using an ISO file if some requirements are not met.
In any case, almost all of the best laptops available today will almost certainly support Windows 12 when it is released.
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Microsoft Windows 12 release date
According to reports, the next major version of Windows will be released in 2024, roughly three years after the release of Windows 11. That’s all we have right now, and it could be a while before we get any more information.
If previous releases are any indication, Windows 12 should be available in the fall, or at the very least in the second half of the year, but this is not a given. Microsoft has denied reports that it is working on Windows 12, but given that the release date is still some time away, the company could simply be keeping its cards close to its chest.
Meanwhile, Windows 11 will continue to receive updates, and it may receive new features from time to time so that the operating system does not feel stale. We do have Windows 11 version 22H2 on the way, which will be a significant update with new touch gestures, Start menu improvements, and much more.
If you’re a member of the Windows Insider Program, you’ll notice Windows 12 features appear gradually over the next two years, though Microsoft will most likely continue to refer to them as Windows 11 features until we’re much closer to the release date. Insiders get to try out new features first, and with such a long release cycle, the program makes a lot more sense.
Would you like to read more about Microsoft Windows 12-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!
