Windows 12 is expected to be released in Fall 2025. Microsoft is deep into Windows 12 development, with the next version of the most popular desktop OS in the world expected in 2025.We have one more revision of Windows 11 to come first — Windows 11 24H2, which will bring HDR background support, Wi-Fi 7, and artificial intelligence features — but once that arrives before the end of 2024, Windows 12 is the next operating system to keep your eyes on.In this article, we’ll explore everything we know so far about Windows 12, from its expected release date and pricing to its rumored features and system requirements.Windows 12 is expected to be released in July to October 2025.Original estimates considered 2024 to be the year until Microsoft announced Windows 11 24H2. Based on the company’s previous release playbook, a release date in Q3 aligns with Microsoft’s traditional launch windows.Other than Windows Vista, every major OS launch has happened in October, or occasionally September. Perhaps Fall season is a lucky charm for Microsoft?Microsoft has never been shy about its intention to bring artificial intelligence capabilities to its Windows OS. So, we don’t expect this to change in Windows 12.Building on the foundation laid by Windows 11’s 23H2 update, which introduced Microsoft Copilot to Windows, and going deeper with the upcoming 24H2, Windows 12 is likely to have been built with AI right at the center.Copilot has already demonstrated its ability to provide a more personalized and efficient experience, and future updates could further enhance its ability to control and interact with the PC. However, it’s not been a smooth run, with Microsoft’s idea to automatically screenshot users’ machines getting instant pushback.Windows 11 24H2, coming soon, also includes a better version of HDR support, additional compression tools in Windows Explorer, and eagerly anticipated Wi-Fi 7 support, so we can expect these features to be baked in to Windows 12.One potential area of improvement is the expansion of AI-powered search capabilities, similar to those seen in Windows 11’s Taskbar, where users can easily use the search icon to look up content across Microsoft 365.Additionally, the Recommended section in File Explorer, which suggests files and folders based on user behavior, could be further refined and expanded with better AI algorithms.Another likely integration is to suggest user actions using a virtual assistant that can anticipate user needs and provide recommendations accordingly. Just please, not Clippy 2.0.What Will Windows 12 Look Like?

Read more: Windows 12 2025 Expected Release Date, Latest News & Features

Microsoft has confirmed that “Windows 12” won’t be released in 2024. Instead, the Microsoft plans to give Windows 11 another upgrade with the rollout of version 24H2 during the second half of 2024, which means we’ll likely not get a brand new version of the operating system until at least the second half of 2025.One of the reasons for keeping the “Windows 11” branding is that there is currently a fragmentation of versions, and the software giant wants to stop the further division of devices based on product releases due to users’ slow pace of adoption. At this point, the operating system has around 1.4 billion active users, and only 400 million are running Windows 11. The remaining billion are still on Windows 10, primarily due to unsupported hardware that doesn’t allow users to upgrade.As a result, if the company rolls out Windows 12, the fragmentation will increase, and the adoption rate could drop even more.However, the next version of Windows 11 won’t be a minor update either. Actually, the software giant will offer a major refresh for its operating system, much like those feature updates we used to see that even required complete reinstallation. In other words, you can now expect everything we have heard about Windows 12 to arrive as Windows 11 24H2 instead.So, the next feature update for Windows 11 will focus heavily on AI integration, meaning that in 2024, you can expect Copilot and other AI features to be more integrated into the operating system.Windows 11 24H2 is set to introduce new features and several visual changes, including a more advanced version of Copilot that will enhance search, help you understand context, and help you jump-start a new project quickly. This update may also include features such as Timeline, Super Resolution, and desktop background powered by AI.The company plans to finalize the feature update sometime during the summer when many computer manufacturers will start introducing new devices with more capabilities focused on AI.In other words, the improvements and the new innovations on AI that we have been hearing about are still on the table to ship in 2024, but they will now roll out as an update for Windows 11 (version 24H2) instead of the company releasing the so-called “Windows 12.”
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