Microsoft is working on developing Windows 12 to replace Windows 11 after three years of service. The new operating system should notably highlight the AI.
Microsoft is working behind the scenes on Windows 12, the next PC operating system. The firm has not yet unveiled this new version, but rumors of the corridors already allow us to learn more about the project.
What’s new: what can we expect from Windows 12?
Known by the code names ” Next Valley ” Or “Hudson Valley“, the update to Windows 12 is for the moment shrouded in mystery.
AI, always AI
Windows 12 should emphasize the integration of AI into the system. Microsoft will already offer a first version with Windows Copilot for Windows 11 in 2023, but the firm would like to go even further.
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One can imagine integration with many native applications, to generate photo retouching intelligently or that the system can help organize files in the explorer.
CorePC: a profound change
One of the fundamental changes in Windows 12 would be an overhaul of its lowest layers to modernize the system and strengthen its security. We are talking here about Windows Core OS whose update would be nicknamed “CorePC”. This is the component of Windows that includes the system kernel as well as drivers and APIs.
With the evolution of the system, Microsoft to create a more modular Windows, and therefore adapted to each device. One could imagine a version of Windows without win32 support with only access to Microsoft Edge or the Microsoft Store for example.
These changes could also allow easier installation of updates. Indeed, the CorePC partition would now be separated from that where we find the Windows folders, Program Files and user data.
New gaming news?
Gaming has become an important focus of Windows development, especially to push PC Game Pass.
Thanks to statements from Microsoft, it is understood that Windows 12 should take inspiration from the best functions of the Xbox. In particular, we could see the arrival of “Quick Resume”, the function that allows you to pause and resume games almost instantly on Xbox.
We would also like to see Microsoft finally offer an interface optimized for PCs in portable game console format like the ROG Ally or the Steam Deck. Today, Windows represents the weak point of this kind of machine and creates great frustration among players.
We can also expect a major update for DirectX which could, finally, integrate a standard API for the techniques ofsupersamplinglike AMD FSR, Nvidia DLSS, and Intel XeSS to make developers’ jobs easier.
And optimization for ARM
Since 2020, Apple has demonstrated that a transition to an ARM architecture could do a lot of good in the world of laptop PCs. Unfortunately, the path taken by Microsoft since Windows 8 has not yet enabled the PC ecosystem to release a truly convincing machine under ARM.
With Windows 12, Microsoft should once again offer optimizations for the ARM platform. This is what job offers published by the firm suggest. In addition, Qualcomm is preparing with Oryon a brand new platform with an architecture optimized for PCs. On paper, it promises to be much more efficient. Microsoft could also end Qualcomm’s exclusivity with Windows and let competitors like MediaTek also offer their chips.
On the side of Chromebooks, Google and Nvidia seem to be maneuvering to offer PCs with ARM processor and Nvidia GeForce graphics chip. Microsoft could also draw inspiration from it for Windows.
Is it already the end of Windows 11?
With the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft decided to return to a shorter development cycle for major Windows releases. The reign of Windows 10 between 2015 and 2021 had particularly displeased the manufacturing partners of Microsoft who lost a strong argument to suggest a renewal to customers.
Of course, this does not mean that Microsoft is starting from a blank page for the development of its system. On a technical level, Windows 12 will be above all an update of Windows 11 as the latter was for Windows 10. However, we can expect significant changes to accompany this launch.
Which processor or configuration for Windows 12?
The launch of a new version of Windows may allow Microsoft to change the minimum technical configuration to run the system. The firm had notably cut official support with many PCs at the launch of Windows 11 by requiring the use of a recent processor.
For Windows 12, the integration of AI-related functions could allow Microsoft to justify more recent hardware support with processors optimized for this system. A leak concerning Intel’s Meteor Lake platform goes in this direction, as does Microsoft’s communication around its partnerships with ARM and AMD.
When will Windows 12 be released?
We do not yet know the precise release date of Windows 12. On the other hand, rumors around the development of the system point to a release scheduled for the fall of 2024.
We can expect a commercial launch in the month of October 2024 with a series of new devices.
How to download and try Windows 12?
While waiting for the launch of Windows 12, it will be possible to test the new features of the system in beta. To do this, you must register for the Windows Insider program and use the Canary channel that Microsoft has launched on purpose for the occasion.
Be careful, these versions will be very unstable at first and all the new features tested by Microsoft will not necessarily be deployed in the commercial version.
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