For several months now, announcements about the release of Windows 12 have been flooding the web. Some claim it’s imminent, others speak of a postponement or even a false alarm. Faced with this avalanche of contradictory information, how do you distinguish fact from fiction? Here’s an overview based on the most reliable sources.
Windows 12: When will Microsoft’s new OS be released?
Microsoft is preparing to launch Windows 12, a system that could mark a break with Windows 11, not least because of the latter’s difficult adoption. If we look at the release history, a cyclical trend is emerging, and we could estimate that Windows 12 will be released in the autumn of 2025.
| Version | Release date | End of extended support | Deviation from next release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 | October 22nd, 2009 | January 14, 2020 | 3 years before Windows 8 |
| Windows 8 | October 26th, 2012 | January 10th, 2023 | 3 years before Windows 10 |
| Windows 10 | July 29th 2015 | October 14, 2025 | 6 years 3 months before Windows 11 |
| Windows 11 | October 5, 2021 | ??? | ??? |
The history of Windows releases shows two distinct phases in Microsoft’s strategy:
Microsoft alternates between long cycles (6 years) for stable versions and short cycles (3 years) to replace a poorly adopted system.
- Windows 8 (2012) was a failure and was replaced after 3 years by Windows 10 (2015).
- Windows 10 (2015) lasted 6 years before the arrival of Windows 11 (2021).
- Windows 11 follows the trajectory of Windows 8, with limited adoption due to hardware restrictions.
If Microsoft kept to a 6-year cycle, Windows 12 would be released in 2027. But with Windows 11 being a failure, a quick replacement is more likely, as with Windows 8. Windows 12 should therefore be released in autumn 2025, probably in October 2025 (the date of my birthday). However …👇
At CES 2025, Microsoft announced that no new major version of Windows was planned in the near future. The company prefers to focus on enriching Windows 11 with AI-based features through Copilot+ PCs.
Windows 12: Does Microsoft want a fully AI-copiloted OS?
For several months now, Microsoft has been stepping up the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its products with the Copilot assistant. This raises a major question: is Microsoft planning to develop a fully AI-driven operating system?
Notable innovations include the enhancement of Windows search with AI models, enabling users to search for photos using descriptions, even if these words are not included in the file name. This feature, dubbed Click to Do, facilitates interaction with diverse content such as images, e-mails, documents and videos.
Although Microsoft has not announced plans for a fully AI-driven operating system, current developments indicate a trend towards ever deeper integration of AI into Windows. The aim seems to be to create an environment where AI proactively assists the user, anticipating needs and simplifying interactions.
Although the idea of a fully AI-driven operating system is still hypothetical, Microsoft’s current initiatives show a clear desire to integrate AI at the heart of the user experience.
Microsoft has not officially announced the release of Windows 12. No official communication or major leak has confirmed its development. However, given the usual release cycles, it’ s highly likely that Microsoft has already started work on Windows 12 internally.
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