Windows 12: Rumors, features, and possible release date
What awaits us in Windows 12 (photo: Unsplash)
There are many rumors and speculations surrounding the upcoming version of Microsoft's Windows 12 operating system. Its appearance may change our perception of the usual PC work, and its characteristics promise to please both ordinary users and IT specialists.
RBC-Ukraine takes a look at what to expect from the new OS, as well as when it is rumored to be released, with reference to the Techopedia website, which provides information about modern technologies, terms, trends, and novelties in the IT world.
Contents
- Windows 12 release
- New features of Windows 12
- Will ads be back in Windows 12 Start menu?
- What hardware do I need to run Windows 12?
- Will there be different versions of Windows 12?
- Windows 12 pricing
Windows 12 release
Windows 12 is expected to be released in July-October 2025.
The Windows 11 2024 update, also known as version 24H2, became available for download in early October. For its sake, the corporation postponed the release of Windows to 2025.
New features of Windows 12
Microsoft has never been shy about its intentions to introduce artificial intelligence capabilities into its Windows OS. So no one expects that to change with Windows 12.
Building on the foundation laid by the Windows 11 23H2 update that introduced Microsoft Copilot to Windows, and going deeper into the upcoming 24H2 update, Windows 12 will likely be built with AI at its very center.
Copilot has already demonstrated its ability to provide a more personalized and efficient experience, and future updates could further improve its ability to control and interact with the PC. However, things didn't go so smoothly, as Microsoft's idea of automatically taking screenshots of users' computers was met with instant pushback.
One potential area of improvement is to expand AI-powered search capabilities similar to those seen in the Windows 11 taskbar, where users can easily use the search icon to discover Microsoft 365 content.
Additionally, the Recommendations section in Explorer, which suggests files and folders based on user behavior, could be further enhanced and expanded with more advanced AI algorithms.
Another possible integration is to suggest actions to the user through a virtual assistant that can anticipate the user's needs and make appropriate recommendations.
Will ads return to Windows 12 Start menu?
In April 2024, Microsoft released a Windows 11 update that added ads to the Start menu. Although they have removed this feature, there are still concerns that it may become a permanent addition to future versions, including Windows 12.
The ads displayed in the Featured section promote Microsoft Store apps from a select group of developers to make them easier to discover. While this update may improve the user experience, it remains to be seen if Start menu ads will become a standard feature in future versions of Windows.
What hardware do I need to run Windows 12?
Although Microsoft has not disclosed the system requirements of Windows 12, there are some reasonable assumptions based on current trends and technological advances.
First, due to the expected artificial intelligence features in the new Windows, users will likely need a processor with at least 1 gigahertz (GHz), 64-bit architecture, two or more cores, at least 4-8 GB of RAM, and 16 GB or more of disk space.
In terms of storage, a solid-state drive (SSD) is the best choice, given its faster read and write speeds than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). A minimum of 256 GB of storage is likely to be required, with 512 GB or more recommended for users with large file collections.
Graphics requirements are likely to be higher, with a minimum graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 (DX12) or later.
Windows 12 specifications are expected to be largely similar to those of Windows 11, although a 64-bit processor may be required.
Will there be different versions of Windows 12?
Similar to its predecessors, Windows 12 will likely come in Home and Pro versions, possibly with different monikers. This will be in line with the preferences of end users and high-end users. So it shouldn't come as a surprise if Microsoft decides to release Windows 12 according to this classification.
We can also expect that the levels of features, security, and support in the versions will differ compared to the current version of Windows 11.
Windows 12 pricing
Since many versions of the software are released on a subscription model, it's reasonable to ask whether Microsoft will offer a subscription model for Windows 12 instead of the current license purchase model.
It is safe to assume that Microsoft will offer Windows 12 as a free optional upgrade for Windows 11 users, but it will most likely be a paid upgrade for Windows 10.
For those who wish to purchase a standalone copy of Windows 12, Microsoft will likely follow the same pricing scheme as for Windows 11.
If this happens, Windows 12 Home is expected to cost more than the $139 currently charged for Windows 11 Home. Windows 12 Pro could cost around $199.99 or more.
This pricing structure is consistent with previous Microsoft releases, and it's likely that Windows 12 will follow suit.
