Release Date Estimate:
Windows 12, is the potential successor to Windows 11. Is rumored to be released in 2024, although Microsoft has not officially confirmed its existence or release date. Code names associated with this version include Hudson Valley and Next Valley. The release pattern suggests a three-year cycle, with the next major release expected in 2024.
Price Rumors:
There IS speculation that Windows 12 may be offered. As a free update for Windows 11 users, possibly for Windows 10 users with a valid license. For those requiring a new license. The expected pricing might mirror that of Windows 11: $139.99 for Windows 12 Home and $199.99 for Windows 12 Pro.
Possible Features:
While no features are confirmed, potential updates include a new user interface with a floating taskbar and search bar, AI integration, a modular and customizable variant called CorePC, a shift away from the Control Panel, animated wallpapers, Android APK installs, and the return of MSN Messenger. These features aim to enhance overall performance, provide a more consistent interface, and incorporate new functionalities.
System Requirements:
Anticipated system requirements for Windows 12 may be similar to Windows 11, with suggestions including 8 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 64-bit processor, 1 GHz CPU clock speed, an internet connection, and a Microsoft account for initial setup. Continued use of TPM 2.0 and UEFI with Secure Boot is expected.
Windows 12 Download:
As of now, Windows 12 is not available for download. No pre-release builds or beta versions have been made public. If released, it is likely to follow the updated pattern of earlier Windows versions, available as a free update for existing users through Windows Update, with ISO files accessible from the official Microsoft website.
The Latest News:
Recent news suggests that Windows 12 might debut in 2024, with a focus on a major release every three years. Speculations about a new user interface, AI integration, and other features are based on leaks and rumors. Microsoft’s event in New York on September 21, 2023, may provide more information on Windows 11 updates, but Windows 12 details are unlikely.
Will Windows 12 be a Free Upgrade?
One of the big questions you are likely to have is whether you will have to pay to upgrade to Windows 12 when (and if) it releases, but gratefully, that is unlikely. Microsoft has been set on offering major Windows updates for free to existing Windows users for a few years now, and it only makes sense for that to continue. Of course, Windows 12 itself likely would not be free, so if you do not have a Windows license at all, you are still going to have to buy it.
It is been suggested by some reports that Microsoft might introduce a subscription service for Windows 12, but that is not going to happen. You would not have to pay a recurring fee to use Windows 12. Of course, you will still need to buy a license. If you are building a custom PC. And do not have a valid Windows 10 or 11 license right now, just as with previous releases.
What might get you to spend money is whether your PC is compatible with it. But that is a different matter worthy of its own section.
Different Hardware Requirements:
While specific hardware requirements are not confirmed, there are rumors suggesting a possible increase in RAM requirements to 8 GB. Security features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are expected to continue. The final hardware requirements will be clarified by Microsoft closer to the release.
Will I be forced to upgrade?
The most likely answer to this is no. Microsoft has significantly eased up on its push to get users to install new versions of Windows by force. Windows 11 is still an optional update for Windows 10 users. Most likely, that approach will continue with future releases.
Updating to new versions of Windows can be required if your version of Windows is nearing the end of its support period. For example, the original release of Windows 11 will be supported for 24 months if you have a Home or Pro edition of Windows, so by now, you need to have updated to a newer version, since those two years have passed.
Summary:
Windows 12 is still in the realm of speculation. With potential features and release details based on leaks and industry insights. Stay tuned for official announcements from Microsoft for accurate and up-to-date information on Windows 12.
However, if you look at what’s happening with Windows 10, Microsoft is still delivering security updates for that operating system, and you don’t have to upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 10 as a whole is supported until October 2025, and instead of pushing users to Windows 11, Microsoft is keeping them on Windows 10 unless they want to upgrade. It’s likely that Windows 11 will receive the same treatment once Windows 12 is released, so you won’t be forced to upgrade.
