If you’re waiting for Windows 12, I’ve got some bad news: Microsoft is apparently focused on cramming even more AI into Windows 11
- Microsoft is targeting AI-powered Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs in the near future
- October 14, 2025 is still the Windows 10 end date, pushing users towards Windows 11 or newer PCs
- Microsoft’s deep AI integration into Copilot+ PCs aims to redefine the way we interact with our PCs, but raises concerns
At CES 2025, we apparently just got confirmation that Microsoft isn’t releasing the next generation of Windows, which many of us assume will be called Windows 12. Instead, Microsoft is moving ahead with its vision of AI-powered PCs (which it calls Copilot+ PCs) and plans to continue integrating artificial intelligence into Windows 11.
Eager to capitalize on the AI buzz, Microsoft is betting big on tools like ChatGPT and its own AI assistant, Copilot, which can be accessed directly from the taskbar and becomes an everyday part of our digital work and personal lives.
According to Windows LatestMicrosoft claims that Copilot+ PCs are up to 50% faster than an M3 MacBook. Of the Copilot+ PCs we’ve tested so far, like the Surface Laptop 7, we’re certainly impressed with their performance, although the jury is still out on whether the AI features are all that useful.
The departure of Windows 10 and Microsoft’s relentless focus on its AI vision
There is also an emphasis on future versions of Windows 11 as Windows 10 approaches its end of support date of October 14, 2025. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, reinforced this at CES 2025. states that Windows 10 is still on track to be discontinued on this date.
When October 14th rolls around, Microsoft will stop releasing regular updates (including security updates) for Windows 10 and after that you’ll either have to buy a newer Windows 11 PC or pay for additional security updates for a limited time (and it’s clear that Microsoft prefers that all Windows 10 users upgrade to Windows 11).
So it looks like Windows 12 won’t be coming in the near future as Microsoft focuses on getting its users to upgrade to Windows 11. It’s also focused on winning people over with its Copilot+ PCs, offering a decent bold vision of what these devices will be capable of and how much they will change the way we interact with our PCs. Windows Latest points out that Windows 11 came out during the pandemic when people were buying new PCs and Microsoft saw an opportunity to boost PC sales, and that it will wait for another opportunity like this to launch Windows 12 (although hopefully not another global pandemic).
I understand why some people might be disappointed that we’re not getting a bold new operating system, or reluctant to switch from Windows 10, which is still Microsoft’s most popular operating system. I also think Microsoft still has a long way to go to actually convince people that its AI improvements are worth people’s time, since so far features like Copilot and Recall have been shown to be somewhat lackluster or downright risky in terms of aspects such as security. I don’t think it is impossible for Microsoft to realize its ambitions, but that will ultimately depend on the innovations it still has to show.
I really think there’s an opportunity here for Microsoft to experiment with integrating AI-powered software and tools into Windows 11, and there’s certainly huge potential for artificial intelligence to redefine the way we interact with PCs.
However, experiments come with risks, and Microsoft would be remiss not to learn from this venture and pay close attention to the feedback of its users. If its involvement in AI doesn’t work out (or at least not immediately), I think it should consider designing Windows 12 with an option to run without heavy AI integration, using Windows 12 as a clean break if the AI gamble doesn’t pay off.
In the meantime, I’m glad Microsoft isn’t getting distracted from creating Windows 12 when there’s still a lot of work to be done to make Windows 11 more popular – especially since there’s a lot of Windows coming soon. 10 users who want to upgrade.