Do you recall when Microsoft claimed that Windows 10 would be the final iteration of their operating system, only to unexpectedly release Windows 11 in 2021? It seems that Microsoft is considering supplanting Windows 11 as soon as 2024 with the introduction of Windows 12, according to hints from both Intel and Microsoft. If this comes to pass, we may begin to see significant Windows versions being launched every three years once more.
Intel’s forthcoming Meteor Lake CPUs are referenced in a tweet from known leaker @leaf_hobby (via VideoCardz), which has since been removed. Windows 12 is listed as a supported platform in the internal Intel documentation.
While neither Microsoft nor Intel have commented on the post, Microsoft has been evasive when it comes to the possibility of a Windows 12 release. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of consumer marketing, has hinted that artificial intelligence (AI) may play a more significant role in the operating system’s user experience.
It is unclear what Windows 12 might bring beyond a renewed emphasis on AI. This week, Microsoft integrated the new Bing AI chatbot directly into the Windows 11 taskbar, which may have been done prematurely. The firm has also made significant strides in adding iMessage compatibility to the Windows 11 Messages app, albeit in a limited capacity, thanks to a new Phone Link app for iOS.