After months of speculation about an impending Windows 12, the rumor mill has done a complete backflip and is now suggesting that a Windows 12 is unlikely.
The main factor behind the theory involves Microsoft’s desire to limit the fragmentation of the Windows user base. If Windows 12 were to become a reality, we’d see a portion of users jumping to the latest OS, a portion still on Windows 11, and a whole lot of users still running Windows 10 (stuck behind a barrier of ridiculous mandatory requirements).
No doubt the expense of maintaining support infrastructure for each OS would be quite high so, from Microsoft’s point of view, limiting the number of active operating systems does make fiscal sense.
To add fuel to the fire, a recent leak mentioning a Windows 11 24H2, lends credence to the theory that the next version of Windows will be delivered in the form of a feature update rather than a complete operating system upgrade.
(Credit: Xeno)
This is, of course, all supposition and does not necessarily rule out a Windows 12. However, that supposition appears to be well-founded, and, as mentioned earlier, it makes perfect sense that Microsoft would be keen to limit the number of active OSs and associated support infrastructures.
BOTTOM LINE:
One thing is for certain, no matter what the name, the next Windows version will come with heavily integrated AI – perhaps “Windows AI” might be an appropriate moniker?
—
Do you think W10 may get an extended EOL?
For enterprise users, probably. For home consumers, I seriously doubt it.
Thanks Jim, was hoping differently, but that does not surprise me. Mostly all the PC’s I use have been migrated to W11. Still have , a tew that I upkeep, for other users, that refuse to install W11. Do not ask me why!!!
I do think we’ll see windows 12 eventually but I feel windows 11 came at a bad time.
Windows 11 needs specific hardware and a lot of people can’t afford to replace it. My desktop is just over 10 years now so do need to replace it. It struggles as it is so while I could get around the spec issues, it just wouldn’t be smart
I do think we’ll see it but not for a bit.
Windows 11 needs specific specs and it came out at a time where a lot of people are struggling to eat nevermind replacing computer parts.
I do need to replace my desktop which is just over 10 years old. I could get passed the specs issue but it struggles as it is on windows 10 now
I found several sites still mentioning the reality of a Windows 12 later this year. Makes it real difficult to trust what one reads on the web, mainly due to Fake news. Since most operating systems have an end of support and life, and 10 years seems right.
Windows 11 came out in 2021, so it might be here till 2031, Mindblower!