OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — A reader’s question about “Windows 12” ads on Facebook prompts Jeff Werner to set the record straight: Microsoft hasn’t released it — and everything you’ve seen is rumor, speculation, or worse.
QUESTION:
Have you tried Windows 12 which has been advertised on Facebook? If so, what are your thoughts on it.
– John P.
Crestview, Florida
ANSWER:
Wow, John! I’m usually chastising people for hanging onto old and obsolete versions of Windows, and here you are, trying to surf the bleeding edge of a version that doesn’t even exist yet.
I applaud your forward thinking, although I question using Facebook as your source of news. There are plenty of technology trade sites and e-zines out there, and, well, frankly it’s been my experience that Facebook has an agenda that’s not particularly user-centric, so they tell you what they want you to hear, when they want you to hear it.
You’re much better off asking someone in the technology business. I don’t want to toot my own horn too loudly, but you did write in asking the question. Thank you for choosing me. I’m happy to step through the door now that you’ve opened it.
First of all, no, I have not tried Windows 12 yet.
One of the prime reasons is that despite what you might have read on Facebook, Windows 12 is not available yet – not even in Beta. Microsoft is currently focused largely on moving people to Windows 11, and on features of its Copilot and Copilot+ generative AI features and PCs.
Windows 12, though discussed hither and yon on the Internet and social media sites like Facebook, remains a nebulous vision, lurking somewhere just over the horizon where we can’t see it.
No official, formal release date has been set for Windows 12, and the rumors are as varied as the people who start them. I’ve heard “sometime between late 2025 and mid-2026.” I’ve also heard “before the end of 2025” which, given Microsoft’s new propensity for annual feature updates, it might just be that Windows 12 shows up around September or October 2025, which would conveniently match Windows 10’s end-of-life.
Then again, I’ve also heard “not at all in 2025,” so take all of these with the intended grain of salt, please, and then hold your breath like everybody else. No – cancel that, breathe. There you go.
The way for you to keep abreast of rumors and facts such as what you’re asking about is to join the Windows Insider Program. This is a program run by Microsoft that allows you to preview upcoming features and provide feedback, helping to shape the future of Windows.
There are multiple “channels” in the program, depending on just how bleeding edge you want to be (remember, you actually install these versions on your computer – including any bugs or security holes they may be carrying). You can choose from Dev, Beta, or Release Preview, and of course, what you get is more mature and stable depending on which you choose. If you’re interested, visit TinyURL.com/IGTM-0926 to get started.
So, what’s to expect from Windows 12?
First of all, a lot more of the same, which means an operating system that Microsoft works very hard to make work with all of the virtually infinite combinations of hardware that make up the millions of PCs that people around the world use every day. To that, you can expect a deeper integration of Artificial Intelligence, and updates to necessary tools like File Explorer and even Edge, some of which might mean you have to relearn what you know about how to navigate around your files.
There is also talk about toolbars that float around the screen, and system icons in the top corner, rather than slaved to the bottom toolbar. You can always count on Microsoft to keep you on your toes. But all of that is a long way off yet. Or it’s not. Maybe.
In the meantime, feel free to sit back and not worry too much about the future of Windows. You can expect that when Windows 12 does come out, you’re guaranteed to hear about it. It will be on TV, in magazines, in sidebar ads, and yes, even on Facebook. My question is, will you be ready?
There’s no guarantee about upgrades, whether they’ll be free, or what hardware will be required. Microsoft already threw the world of Windows users into a tizzy when they announced Windows 11 would require a TPM module. Who can guess what Windows 12 might require?
To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit my website at ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!)
Jeff Werner, a software engineer based in Niceville, Florida, has been writing his popular “It’s Geek to Me” tech column since 2007. He shares his expertise to help readers solve everyday tech challenges. To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!).
