Windows 11 was announced in 2021 and had its fair share of praise and criticism for the various changes it introduced (especially the controversial hardware restrictions introduced for security reasons). I should know, I’ve written extensively about the many Windows 11 features I hate and love, as well as the implementation and UX of specific capabilities in the OS. I with many close-up look pieces.
However, for the past year, rumors about Windows “12” have been surfacing, with claims that Microsoft is going back to its three-year release cycle and its next major OS in late 2024. plans to release , which isn’t really that far off. In just the past few weeks, we’ve seen a number of hints at what changes could be coming to this coveted version of Windows, including tighter cloud PC integration, a stronger focus on AI-powered capabilities, and an emphasis on modularity.
However, while this all sounds really exciting and futuristic, I think it’s important to realize that if Windows 12 is released in 2024, it will be barely three years since the initial release of Windows 11. This means that users should not expect fundamental changes to Windows, either in terms of design or in terms of new features.
In fact, when it comes to the aesthetics of Windows 12, we’ve already seen an intended prototype of the OS, and it’s not all that different from Windows 11. And that’s perfectly fine and understandable. There is no point in reinventing the wheel every three years. Windows 11 introduced some major changes to the UI and UX of Windows, but that was six years after the release of Windows 10. A major change was due in 2021, not to be expected in 2024.
I think it’s important to manage expectations. I’ve seen based on comments from my readers on Neowin as well as many users on social media, there is a significant portion of Windows users who believe that Windows 11 was a colossal failure and that Windows 12 is the “mess”. Going to fix it. .
I know some of my detractors here think I hate Windows 11 and can’t miss an opportunity to complain. This could not be further from the truth. Windows 11 is a solid 7/10 OS in my book (closer to the review score I gave it on release day) and yes, I mention its limitations because I think they help us. may attract the attention of Microsoft. Encourage readers and the company to fix issues quickly, but I also praise the OS when I find something noteworthy.
The point I’m trying to emphasize is that Windows 11 is Just fine. It doesn’t require a radical change and I’m pretty sure Microsoft isn’t planning one either. In fact, some alleged system requirements for Windows 12 have indicated that the hardware restrictions will be the same as Windows 11.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Windows 12 won’t be interesting. If Microsoft’s recent investment and innovation in AI and cloud PCs is anything to go by, we should expect to see AI copilots and cloud-enabled mechanisms sprinkled throughout the UX.
However, I believe that Windows 12 should be presented and treated as an incremental upgrade to Windows 11, especially if it comes next year. Windows 11 has great enhancements and various issues, and Windows 12 will likely be more of the same. Microsoft will continue to make incremental additions (and possibly bad decisions) through its Windows Insider program as it is doing now, and people will find things to complain about, or conversely, praise. To summarize with a modification of meme worthy Disney’s iconic line Wanda Vision: But what is Windows 12, if Windows 11 is not persistent?
What are your expectations from Windows 12? Do you believe this is a basic preview of Windows 11 or do you think this is going to be an incremental upgrade? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
