This year's 'Windows 12' might just be nothing more than a large update for Windows 11, rather than a whole new operating system

SoftwareOperating SystemsWindowsThis year’s ‘Windows 12’ might just be nothing more than a large update for Windows 11, rather than a whole new operating systemWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft Windows 11

To the casual observer, the story of the next version of Windows seems to be slowly turning into a 1990s-style sitcom: Will it come out in 2024? Will it be called Windows 12? Will it be full of AI gimmicks? Will Copilot finally get that date with Monica? Adding to the never-ending mystery of it all are reports that Windows 11 will receive a large update later this year and thatthiscould be ‘Windows 12’ and not a whole new operating system.

But the wording issuspiciously similar to what Intel said in October last year, where the phrase ‘Windows refresh’ was used. I see this as being open to interpretation in one of two ways: A new piece of software that’s based on Windows 11 but is launched with a new name, or a significant service pack/update that breathes new life into Microsoft’s current OS.

It’s the timing of the update that’s made folks think that this could actually be Windows 12. It obviously wouldn’t be called that and we’d still have Windows 11 for another year, at the very least. Not that it’s especially old, as it was only launched in October 2021. Normally, Microsoft makes a huge fuss about new versions of Windows, with months of hype building up to the official launch.

Thinking of upgrading?(Image credit: Microsoft)Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

Thinking of upgrading?

(Image credit: Microsoft)Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 Square logo

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

We’ve heard absolutely nothing of specific note from the software behemoth concerning the future of Windows and unless it springs something upon us this month, it’s safe to say that Windows 12 (or whatever the next version is going to be called) won’t be appearing mid-2024 or at the start of Autumn.

So what exactlyiscoming later this year? More importantly, what’s coming that has all of the major PC hardware vendors in such a tizzy? Surely Qualcomm can’t be pinning its hopes on a mere service pack to massively boost sales of itsSnapdragon X Elite?

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First of all, given thedominance of Windows 10 in the operating system market, it probably wouldn’t make sense for Microsoft to degrade Windows 11 with another version so soon. And it could test the waters, so to speak, with regards to additional features or hardware support far better in the form of a major update, rather than a whole new product.

So for AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, this is probably the best way for Microsoft to add support for the new hardware features without resorting to spending a huge fortune on a marketing campaign for a new version of Windows. It can just release the service pack and let others hype it up.

But whatever lies in store for us, I can guarantee you one thing:AI will be front and centreof it all. Oh, joy.

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A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

Windows 11 Task Manager showing 11 GB RAM use with a sad face drawn on top

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run apps

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Windows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

LatestValve’s Steam page currently lists a second mystery game alongside Deadlock, sending Half-Life 3 theorists into another frenzy of speculationSee more latest►

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Valve’s Steam page currently lists a second mystery game alongside Deadlock, sending Half-Life 3 theorists into another frenzy of speculation

Half-Life: Alyx

Valve’s Steam page currently lists a second mystery game alongside Deadlock, sending Half-Life 3 theorists into another frenzy of speculation

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