What Do We Know About Windows 12
Windows 11 released on 5 October 2021, over six years after Windows 10 made its debut. At the moment, Microsoft is gearing up to release Windows 11 version 22H2, however according to what we’ve heard, the next big thing on the cards could very well be Windows 12. It sounds as if Microsoft is doing away with major annual updates, and rather, we’re going to get a big brand new version of Windows every three years which is similar to what took place before Windows 10.
Microsoft hasn’t formally announced a new version of Windows, or even this new release cycle, so there’s a lot that we don’t know. Still, it’s never too early to begin looking ahead, so let’s talk about what we do and don’t know about Windows 12 – if it even ends up existing.
Windows 12 Release Date
If you’re speculating about when Windows 12 will be released, then you need to first understand everything that there is to know Microsoft’s new Windows development roadmap.
It seems that Microsoft is doing away with the long development cycles of its desktop operating system (OS). With the release of Windows 11, the software company has already given up on its Windws-as-a-service dream and is very ready to release more new versions of its desktop OS.
Based on a new update roadmap, Windows will migrate to a three-year release cycle. As Windows 11 was released in 2021 it means Windows 12 should launch sometime in 2024, most likely in the autumn, just like Windows 11.
Windows 12-Supported Devices
When Microsoft made the announcement of availability for Windows 11, the chief requirement was for machines to possess a hardware feature called TPM enabled. This is a security feature which can be found on most motherboards.
While the same requirement will most probably be requested by Microsoft again, it could be at a point where nearly every PC, whether used for work or gaming at Big Dollar online casino has TPM enabled anyway.
Other than that, it will likely have quite similar requirements to Windows 11:
- 64-bit processor,
- 1Ghz clock speed,
- 4 GB of RAM,
- 64 GB drive,
- UEFI, Secure Boot capable,
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0),
- A display that is larger than 9-inches with HD Resolution (1366×768),
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x, and
- Internet connection.
Will The New OS Be Free To Upgrade?
Microsoft concentrates on making many of its services free and easily accessible. In the current OS, for instance, you could perform a free upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 Home edition. This is as long as the PC meets the minimum system requirements. But you will need to buy a product key to upgrade to the Pro version of the operating system (OS).
In older versions – such as 7 and 8 – you normally would have to pay for the keys. Will Microsoft go back to making all Windows 12 editions paid or – alternatively – will there be a free Home version as well as a paid Pro version?
