Windows 12 could be Released in 2024

In this article, we will talk about everything we know regarding the release of the Next Windows Version, also known as Windows 12.

Microsoft has started hinting in the past few months at a New Windows Version that they started working on, which should include some major design changes and AI Integration across the System. For this article, I’ve gathered some information that will be helpful in case you want to learn more about what’s coming next in Windows.

First of all, Windows 12 is not yet confirmed to be the final name, the codename is Hudson Valley, so until Microsoft confirms it as “12”, we can just assume that Microsoft will follow the trend and name the Next Version of Windows, Windows 12.

In August, Development Semesters switched from Gallium to Germanium with no build jump or release branch. Gallium won’t be used for any release while Germanium is expected to be the platform for both major 2024 Windows releases (Client, so “12” and Server, Server 2025).

Germanium development is expected to be forked into a release branch in late January, though this doesn’t mean builds from the new branch will flight immediately after to Canary.

Internal Development of Windows “12” is now in full swing, as the Intel CFO has teased a “Windows refresh in 2024”.

CorePC is still in the works and will deliver state separation, faster updates and increased security among the big changes. It is still expected alongside the next version of Windows, but the platform changes will mean it’s unlikely you can upgrade to CPC (but a traditional desktop variant of Windows “12” is also in the works, which you should be able to upgrade to).

You can also expect to see more Rust in the kernel tested in the Canary Channel and possibly implemented into the next version of Windows.

Windows 12 is expected to integrate AI across the whole OS, including a desktop background parallax feature, seeing text on the screen and providing contextual actions, and more.

The Lock and Login screens are expected to get an update of some kind, likely to be more touch-friendly. You should also expect a more touch-friendly desktop and File Explorer as well.

Other Major UI Changes are expected since there was also a prototype shown in the last year’s Ignite conference, that includes search/weather info at the top, a floating Taskbar and more.

The Desktop should let you pin widgets to it in Hudson Valley, Vista Gadget-style and the notification center may get an update to support grouping by people.

Also, more Modern UI elements should be included, the new Settings dialogs in Canary for instance, which is the channel believed to be the starting point for the Next Version of Windows.

Windows on ReFS could also be a thing, but it’s very unclear when that will be the case.

There could also be some other version of Windows as well, as XenoPanther on Twitter noticed some Windows WNC references that started showing up recently.

And finally, there’s a new “Windows and Web Experiences” team that will work on a special “lighter” version of Windows Chrome OS competitor.

For more information about Windows 12, feel free to watch the video below from the YouTube channel.