On October 5, 2021, Windows 11, which had been in development for more than six years, was made available. Currently, Microsoft is preparing to deliver Windows 11 version 22H2, but based on what we’ve heard, Windows 12 may be next in line. According to reports, Microsoft will no longer release significant annual updates and will instead release a major new version of Windows every three years, just like it did prior to Windows 10.
There is a lot we don’t know because Microsoft hasn’t formally announced a new version of Windows or even this new release schedule. However, it’s never too early to start planning for the future, so let’s discuss what we do and don’t know about Windows 12 — assuming it actually materializes.
When will Windows 12 be made available?
According to rumors, the following major release of Windows would debut somewhere in 2024, or around three years after the release of Windows 11. That is all the information we truly have at the moment, and it could be some time before we learn anything further. Windows 12 should be released in the autumn, or at least the second part of the year if previous releases are any indicator, but that is not a guarantee.
To prevent the operating system from seeming stale in the interim, Windows 11 will continue to get updates and occasionally new features. Coming soon is Windows 11 version 22H2, which will be a significant upgrade that will bring new touch gestures, enhancements to the Start menu, and much more.
While Microsoft will probably continue to refer to them as Windows 11 features until we are much closer to the release date, if you are a member of the Windows Insider Program, Windows 12 features will gradually start to appear over the following two years. Insiders gain early access to new features, and the program makes much more sense with such a lengthy release cycle.
Will the upgrade to Windows 12 be free?
When (and if) Windows 12 is released, one of the major concerns you’re sure to have is whether you’ll have to pay a fee to upgrade. Fortunately, this seems unlikely. It only makes sense for Microsoft to keep providing significant Windows upgrades without charge to current Windows customers, as it has done for a number of years. You will still need to pay for Windows 12 if you don’t already have a Windows license, as it is probable that it won’t be free.
If your PC is compatible with it, it may convince you to invest money, but that is a distinct issue that deserves its own area.
Can My PC Compitable To Run Windows 12?
This is a really interesting subject to think about as Windows 11 dramatically increased the minimum system requirements compared to Windows 10. Will Windows 12 once again fall behind older PCs? It’s too soon to say, but there’s a risk that certain PCs won’t work together for a variety of reasons. While we presently don’t see a cause for the following Windows version to demand more than that, it’s likely that may happen. Windows 11 now requires CPUs launched from roughly 2018 onward.
Again, it’s difficult to determine if there are any further criteria. Windows 12 will at the absolute least need the same amount of RAM and internal storage as Windows 11, which is 4GB and 64GB respectively. Though you might still be able to install Windows 12 using an ISO file if you don’t fulfill some criteria, you shouldn’t anticipate Microsoft to back down on things like TPM requirements.
