Microsoft could be readying Windows 12 for 2024 in a major shakeup

We could see a Windows 12 release in 2024 because Microsoft is changing how it releases major versions of Windows again. The next major version of Windows will be due in 2024, according to Windows Central. Another big change is how Microsoft develops Windows.

Microsoft moved away from a three year cycle with the release of Windows 10 in 2015. Windows 10 was updated twice a year with big new features instead of every three years. After a Microsoft employee described Windows 10 as the last version of Windows, many Windows watchers thought it was the last big bang release of Windows.

Microsoft said at the time that they were reflective of the way Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates. Microsoft moved to an annual update schedule for both Windows 10 and 11 after the release of Windows 11.

It is reasonable to think that any future major version of Windows will see a branding change. Many will be wondering if Windows 12 is on the way after Microsoft hasn't adopted Windows 11.1 or 11.2 with its major Windows 11 updates.

Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge

Microsoft has a plan to keep Windows 11 fresh in the future. In recent months, the software maker has moved away from its original promise of big annual updates for Windows 11, preferring to ship major features once they are ready. The next major update is expected to arrive in September or October.

Microsoft scrapped plans for a big 23H2 annual update in 2023 and will focus on new features throughout the year. More experiments and prototype features are being tested as a result of Microsoft's recent changes to its Windows Insider program.

Microsoft has yet to comment on its Windows plans. The company put a renewed effort into Windows over the past two years after the Pandemic. Microsoft had originally planned to launch Windows 10X on dual-screen devices, but after declaring "the PC is back" at the beginning of the epidemic it went on to re-release 10X into Windows 11.