Windows 12 Archives - Gizmochina

Microsoft confirms upcoming release — it’s Windows 11 24H2, not Windows 12

Rajesh Regmi — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:36:11 +0000

Previous speculation about Microsoft moving away from a three-year update cycle for Windows turned out to be true. In an official blog post, Microsoft announced that “Windows 11 24H2” will be the major feature update for 2024, pushing the anticipated release of Windows 12 into 2025 or later.

Microsoft subtly revealed this strategy shift in the changelog for a recent Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. The changelog states:

“Starting with Build 26-xx today, Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels will see the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to version 24H2. This denotes that Windows 11, version 24H2 will be this year’s annual feature update. As mentioned here, Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence that releases in the second half of the calendar year.”

The company is now clearly committed to one annual feature update for Windows 11, scheduled for release in the second half of each year. This marks a change from smaller, more frequent “Moments” updates seen in the past.

This decision may stem from Microsoft’s concern about exacerbating userbase fragmentation. Windows 10 continues to hold a dominant 66% market share, while Windows 11 trails behind at 28%. Introducing Windows 12 in 2024 could further divide the Windows ecosystem, a situation Microsoft likely wants to avoid.

Instead, users can expect substantial AI-powered features and other advancements with the Windows 11 24H2 update. The exact details of what these AI features will be are still up in the air, but we can expect more details to come out in the coming months.

However, previously rumored concepts, like a redesigned desktop interface with a “floating taskbar” as a characteristic of Windows 12 won’t materialize in the immediate future. So a significant visual overhaul for Windows is unlikely before 2025.

Regarding release timing, Windows 11 24H2 builds will reach manufacturers (RTM) in April 2024. General public availability is tentatively expected sometime between September and October 2024.

Let us know your thoughts. Are you disappointed about the Windows 12 delay?

Windows 12 is likely to debut in the second half of 2024 with AI-focused features

Soumyakanti — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 11:54:00 +0000

Microsoft is gearing up to launch a new version of Windows, tentatively codenamed “Hudson Valley,” potentially to be marketed as Windows 12. This new update, as per multiple sources, is expected to be released in the latter half of 2024 and is set to revolutionize the operating system with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI).

AI at the Core of Windows ‘Hudson Valley’

Early versions of Hudson Valley are currently undergoing testing in the Windows Insider Canary channel, with the RTM version slated for release in April 2024.

Hudson Valley’s primary focus is on enhancing the user experience through AI. Key features include an AI-driven Windows Shell and an “advanced co-pilot” Copilot AI assistant. This assistant is designed to operate continuously in the background, improving functions such as search, application launches, workflow management, and context understanding. AI will be deeply integrated across the operating system, requiring new NPU (Neural Processing Unit) hardware for optimal performance. Consequently, the hardware requirements for computers will increase significantly, potentially making older computers incompatible with some of the AI-focused features.

The assembly rate of AI PCs, equipped with NPUs, is expected to rise sharply, reaching 81% by 2027, according to IDC’s forecast. This indicates a trend towards mainstream adoption of AI in the PC market.

Recent updates in Windows 11, including the Copilot AI update and Background Removal in Paint, hint at Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to AI-powered improvements. Additionally, a new roadmap for Windows update cycles is reportedly in the works.

Besides the advanced Copilot, Hudson Valley is rumored to introduce AI-powered wallpapers with dynamic parallax effects and interaction capabilities, a Super Resolution feature enhancing image quality in photos, videos, and games, improved energy-saving mode, and a potential redesign of the desktop interface with the system tray positioned at the top. The final name and features of Hudson Valley are yet to be confirmed though.

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Microsoft reportedly working on web-focused variant of Windows 12

Rajesh Regmi — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 11:17:44 +0000

Microsoft is reportedly working on a new web-focused variant of Windows 12, according to multiple sources close to the company. The new variant is said to be a “true” answer to Chrome OS, and it will be tailored for specific markets, such as the educational sector.

The web-focused Windows 12 will not replace the traditional Win32 desktop experience, but it will offer a more modern, modular, and lightweight version of Windows for low-end educational devices.

Microsoft has already confirmed that in an internal memo that it is forming a new team, “Windows and Web Experience”, to develop the next generations of Windows and web products. Job listings for the team also confirm that Microsoft is planning to “define and deliver the next generation of Windows experiences and applications that span across Client and Cloud”.

Moreover, according to Windows Latest, the web-focused variant of Windows 12 is expected to rely heavily on Microsoft Edge and AI. For example, Microsoft is reportedly exploring ways to use AI to make Microsoft Edge more intelligent and to understand web content and user behaviors. This integration is expected to significantly influence the development of Windows 12.

Microsoft has been working on modernizing Windows and decoupling its component layers in recent years, in an effort to create a more lightweight version of the operating system. One example of this work is Windows 10X, which was intended to be a competitor to Chrome OS. However, Windows 10X never made it to market, remaining in the experimental stage.

However, the web-focused Windows 12 is expected to arrive in 2024. It remains to be seen what other features and improvements Microsoft will include in the new variant, but it is clear that the company is serious about competing with Chrome OS in the education market.

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Microsoft announces the end of WordPad

Chetan — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 11:23:28 +0000

Microsoft WordPad is a basic document editor that’s been around since 1995. It comes with almost all versions of Microsoft Windows, starting from Windows 95. WordPad is mainly used for editing text documents with basic formatting. After all these years of constant updates and features from Microsoft, recent reports suggest that WordPad will be discontinued. Let’s go ahead and check the post.

A recent post on X (formally Twitter) by Xeno indicates that the WordPad will no longer receive any updates from Microsoft and will be removed in a future release of Windows. The post shares a link that takes you to the official Microsoft Website, where the details are mentioned. It is yet to be confirmed when the future windows will be released. However, Leaks suggests that Windows 12 will most likely be released in late 2024.

The post also confirms that the company recommends using Microsoft Word for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf types or Notepad for plain text documents like .txt. It is worth mentioning that Windows 12 is currently being developed and is expected to bring significant platform upgrades. This will give us plenty of time to switch and get used to different text editors, such as MS Word (Microsoft Word).

In related news, the possible Windows 12 hardware requirements have surfaced online. Those who wish to know about this can check out our Windows 12 Hardware requirement story here.

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Windows 12 Rumors: A Modern OS with AI, Faster Updates, and Better Security

Oğuz Çakır — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 11:25:30 +0000

Rumors about Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 12 operating system are buzzing, as leaks of its system requirements surface. Just two years after Windows 11’s release, the company seems to be gearing up for its successor. Windows 12 is expected to bring major platform upgrades, modernizing the OS with AI, quicker updates, and enhanced security. Here are the details…

Microsoft plans major platform upgrades for “Windows 12” that will modernize the OS with AI, faster updates, and better security

For years, Microsoft aimed to modernize the Windows platform. Windows Core OS was an attempt to create a lightweight, secure, and fast-to-update platform. However, Microsoft never launched a version for traditional PC form factors. Windows 10X, the last attempt, was canceled in 2021 after extensive testing and development.

Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans indicate that the company is working on a new project called CorePC. This project intends to modernize the Windows platform with similar innovations as Windows Core OS, but with a focus on compatibility for legacy Win32 applications. CorePC is designed to be modular and customizable, allowing Microsoft to configure different “editions” of Windows with various feature and app compatibility levels.

CorePC is rumored to implement state separation, allowing for faster updates and a more secure platform by creating read-only partitions. State separation also enables quicker and more reliable system reset functionality, crucial for competing with Chromebooks in the education sector. Microsoft’s approach with CorePC is to deconstruct the full Windows desktop into a modular, adaptable system while maintaining support for legacy apps and workflows as needed. This strategy could enable Microsoft to deliver a Windows version that rivals Chromebooks in terms of OS size, performance, and features.

Microsoft is also reportedly exploring a “silicon-optimized” version of CorePC, focusing on AI capabilities and vertically integrated hardware and software experiences, similar to Apple Silicon. AI-driven features under development include context-aware prompts, object and text recognition within images, and dedicated hardware support for specific AI functions. As plans and features may change before the launch, tech enthusiasts and industry experts eagerly await further announcements and developments regarding the much-anticipated Windows 12.

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Microsoft Set to Disappoint Users with Windows 12 Hardware Requirements

Oğuz Çakır — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 23:57:47 +0000

Windows 11 has been on the scene for some time now, but the focus has been less on its features and more on its system requirements. Microsoft’s “high standards” have made it incompatible with many hardware configurations, affecting its popularity. Rumors suggest that Microsoft is developing a new version. Possible Windows 12 hardware requirements already leaked. Will users find these more satisfying? Here are the details…

User Backlash Expected for Windows 12 Hardware Requisites

As Windows 11’s system requirements have been controversial, people are eager to learn what Windows 12 might bring. While its official release is still a few years away, some early hardware requirement details have surfaced, hinting at what the next Windows generation could involve. German publication Deskmodder reports that Microsoft has been working on Windows 12, codenamed “Next Valley,” since February 2022.

Rumors indicate that Windows 12 could require at least 8GB RAM, doubling Windows 11’s requirement. There’s no word on storage requirements, but some speculate Microsoft might drop hard disk drives (HDD) in favor of solid-state drives (SSD) for software installation – a rumor that didn’t pan out for Windows 11 but could still happen for Windows 12.

The operating system is expected to be compatible with Intel’s 14th Gen Meteor Lake-S desktop processors. Devices with these CPUs may be among the first to run Windows 12. However, limited information is available on Meteor Lake-S, and no direct connection has been made between the component and Windows 12 yet.

In terms of security, Windows 12 will likely use the same TPM 2.0 Trusted Platform Module as its predecessor for its security crypto-processor. Microsoft has been testing SHA-3 (Secure Hash Algorithm 3) support in a recent Insider Build, which might make its way into the new OS. Windows 12 might also support the Pluton coprocessor, which debuted on Ryzen 6000 mobile CPUs in January 2022. This feature would further enhance the system’s capabilities and offer increased compatibility with next-gen hardware.

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Windows Rapidly Losing Market Share in the US, Market Share Drops to Historic Low of 57 Percent

Leo Wong De Quan — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:54:03 +0000

Microsoft’s Windows has always dominated the desktop OS space globally, as the operating system is widely available with many PC manufacturing partners such as Dell, HP and Lenovo. However, a recent trend shows that Windows, the operating system by Microsoft, is rapidly losing popularity in the US, due to the rise of macOS and ChromeOS in the country.

Top 3 Desktop Operating Systems

The data comes from Statcounter by GlobalStats, which shows that Windows has dropped to a historic low desktop OS market share of 57.37% in the United States of America in February 2023, a far cry from its all-time high of 92.37% in January 2009. And the trend line does not show signs of slowing down, as Windows is expected to lose more market share in the country throughout 2023.

The rapid drop in market share can be attributed to stiff competition from its competitors, which are macOS from Apple, and Chrome OS from Google. As of February 2023, Windows holds 57.37% of the desktop OS market in the US, macOS holds 29.62% and Chrome OS holds 7.47%. Linux holds 2.55%, whereas other miscellaneous desktop operating systems hold 2.97%.

Source: Statcounter by GlobalStats

The rising popularity of macOS and ChromeOS is definitely one cause of Windows’ current downtrend. macOS is routinely found in Apple’s Macbooks and Mac Desktop lineup, such as the Mac Mini, Mac Studio, Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. And with the introduction of Apple SIlicon in 2020, the general public was very shocked by the improved performance and staggering battery life that Apple Macbooks offered over their Intel CPU-powered predecessors.

In turn, many previously Windows laptop users jumped ship over to Apple for superior battery life and faster CPU performance for their workload. However, the wave of Windows users jumping over to Apple seems gradual as it took until 2023 to see a significant change in the market.

As for the rise in Chrome OS, Chromebooks are normally offered in pre-K, primary and secondary educational institutions in the US in the 2010s. Students studying in those institutions have grown up into adults today, and they are more familiar with Chromebooks compared to Windows devices, and would suggestively buy something that they are more accustomed to than one that they are a stranger to.

In addition, Chromebooks are generally cheaper in the laptop market than Windows laptops, leading to many schools buying Chromebooks in bulk for cheap, or either a typical family buying a Chromebook for their child as a first laptop experience because it is more affordable.

Thus, it is clearly seen that Microsoft’s monopoly on the desktop market with Windows is starting to lose its momentum as competition heats up. And recent announcements such as adding Bing to Windows 11, and leaked documents suggesting Windows 12 show that Microsoft is currently developing something in-house to compete with Apple and Google soon.

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Intel & Microsoft Are Preparing for Windows 12 as Per Latest Leaks

Anubhav — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 08:29:41 +0000

Recently, rumors have surfaced about Intel and Microsoft seemingly gearing up for the launch of Windows 12, which has not yet been officially announced. @leaf_hobby, a known hardware leaker who previously revealed the specs of Intel’s Xeon chips, has disclosed information about Intel’s Meteor Lake desktop platform, which is expected to support Windows 12. However, Intel and Microsoft have declined to comment on these rumors.

While Microsoft has not announced any plans for Windows 12, there are indications that the company is looking to incorporate AI-powered features in future versions of Windows. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of consumer marketing, recently commented on the potential for AI in the Windows experience. Mehdi discussed the latest Windows 11 update, which includes AI-powered features such as Bing integration and recommended content for business users. Microsoft is also reportedly working on AI-powered smart snapping features for Windows 11.

If Microsoft intends to make more extensive use of AI in the next version of Windows, it would need to work closely with hardware partners such as Intel and AMD to optimize chips that can handle AI workloads. AMD has recently launched its Ryzen 7000 mobile processors, which are the first x86 chips to contain a dedicated AI engine that can support Microsoft’s Windows Studio Effects. Similarly, Intel’s Meteor Lake is expected to include AI capabilities similar to those introduced by AMD in its Ryzen 7000 mobile CPUs.

Both AMD and Intel are racing to catch up to Apple and its latest M2 chips, which have a dedicated AI chip that can handle 15.8 trillion operations per second. Microsoft has reportedly shifted back to a three-year release cycle for Windows, meaning that the next major version of Windows could be due in 2024.

Microsoft has also begun to focus on updating Windows 11 more frequently than the original annual updates it promised at the launch of the operating system in 2021. The latest update includes AI-powered Bing integration, improvements to widgets, touch mode, screen recording, and more.

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