Windows 12: What to expect, new features we want to see
Windows 12 is likely to be the next big update for Windows 11 β with an even bigger push from Copilot to boot.
Microsoft announced a number of Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 in May 2024, bringing AI to the forefront of the company’s operating system. ‘Recall’ is an AI-powered feature that tracks everything you do on your PC, and can find any file or app you may have lost. Think of it as Apple’s Time Machine feature on the Mac, but supercharged.
There’s also Windows 11 24H2, the next major update about to launch. This offers better HDR support for supported displays, Wi-Fi 7 support, the ability to create zip archives in File Explorer such as 7-zip and TAR archives, as well as many more improvements.
But where does that leave Windows 12? Admittedly, Microsoft’s annual conference, Build, has been going on for a year now, without the number 12 being mentioned. With the company relentlessly trying to push AI into almost every facet of Windows, as evidenced by the latest updates to Copilot, it seems like Windows 12 could debut in 2025 instead.
Regardless of this possible date change, there’s still plenty to look forward to in this next major update to one of the most popular operating systems in the world. With that in mind, here’s everything we’ve found so far about the next major update for Windows, in addition to five features we’d like to see appear in Windows 12 as well.
Windows 12: Get to the point
- What is it? Windows 12 is the rumored successor to Windows 11
- When would be a good time? Possibly 2025 due to the enormous focus on Copilot
- How much is it? Should be free like Windows 11 currently is
Windows 12 release date rumors
We expect Windows 12 to arrive in 2025, just after Windows 10’s end of support. Plus, this has been the chatter in the rumor mill for a while now. We also got a glimpse of the next generation of Windows (dubbed the ‘Next Valley Prototype Design’) at Build 2023, indicating that this may be on track for next year β although plans may have changed after seeing the announcements of Microsoft about Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11 built in 2024.
However, it’s worth noting that an Intel executive previously confirmed that the next version of Windows is expected to arrive in 2024 (although admittedly without naming it Windows 12).
Windows 12 supported devices
When Microsoft announced the availability of Windows 11 in 2021, the key requirement was that machines have a hardware feature called TPM enabled, a security functionality found on most motherboards.
Although Microsoft will likely ask for the same requirement again, almost every PC may still have TPM enabled.
There is a rumor that Microsoft plans to increase the RAM requirement from 4 GB (for Windows 11) to 8 GB with the next operating system. Apart from that, Windows 12 should support the same CPUs as Windows 11, and probably have similar requirements:
- 64-bit processor
- Clock speed of 1GHz
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB disk
- UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
- A screen larger than 9 inches with HD resolution (1366×768)
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics card / WDDM 2.x
- Internet connection
What we want to see
We don’t know much about Windows 12 yet, or whether the rumored upgrade will even materialize, but we do have a good idea of ββwhat we want from it, with the following features at the top of our list.
1. Merge Skype and Teams in MSN Messenger 12
It’s no secret that Microsoft’s efforts in video calling and collaboration via messaging apps haven’t exactly been stellar in recent years. At a time when people had to communicate more remotely, it was Zoom that led the way and Skype was bafflingly left aside.
Although a number of new features have been added to both Teams and Skype, there is still confusion about which one to use. For example, if you need to participate in a job interview via Teams, chances are you’ll need to quickly install the app and make sure it works.
Instead, let’s see them both retire, marking a fresh start for Windows 12, with the return of MSN Messenger to do the work these two apps have continued.
Not only would we like to see the return of nudges, winks, and classic sounds if users want them, but we’d also like powerful features to make it work with Zoom, Google Meets, and FaceTime. Maybe integration with Slack, so if a video meeting is needed, it can be requested in a channel and one button will launch MSN Messenger with the required invitees.
Microsoft needs to reboot how it sees itself in messaging apps, and the return of MSN Messenger could be a good start to that.
2. Live Wallpaper
A request from Matt Hanson, Ny Breaking’s Senior Computing Editor, and an intriguing one at that. There have been similar features on iPhones and Android phones for several years, with animations moving across these devices. But for PC and Mac, they are relegated to third-party apps such as Wallpaper engineto have animated wallpapers with the ability to display information from your PC.
To achieve something similar in Windows 12, Microsoft could further ramp up its efforts in the theme space, something that has seen improvements thanks to the dark themes in Windows 11.
Having a dedicated section for wallpapers, where you can place static bytes of information on the desktop that works with an animated live wallpaper, could appeal to all kinds of users.
Microsoft could also bring back previous wallpapers, like Windows XP’s hill, but animate them, alongside some clouds that show battery status or weather.
This allows the desktop to be significantly updated and made much more current, without having to rely on widgets or a taskbar to show changes.
3. Dedicated podcast app
While it was great to see the return of Microsoft’s Windows Media Player, having additional features like podcasts seems irrelevant to what Media Player is for.
macOS has had its own podcast app since Big Sur in 2019, but if you want to use a similar app on Windows, it’s not clear where to start as Microsoft doesn’t offer a dedicated podcast app.
This is why Windows 12 should include a dedicated podcast app that can also be used on other platforms, such as iOS and Android, so that your subscriptions can be synced across all your devices.
Podcasts are extremely popular and it would be great for Windows users to manage them all in one first-party app. It’s something that could really boost the company’s efforts to make content available on virtually any device.
4. Dedicated streaming app
A storming idea from our computer writer Jess Weatherbed, as there isn’t yet an integrated option in Windows to stream what you’re playing.
For years, there have been apps like OBS and Twitch that offer ways to stream what you play or watch with others. However, these apps have always required extra effort to ensure that you stream to the viewers in good quality and with low latency.
Then there’s the added aspect of the peripherals that streamers use to put them in a better light, or Stream Decks to easily control their settings with keyboard shortcuts.
It can be overwhelming to manage multiple apps just to control them all. Therefore, Windows 12 could benefit from having one app that can manage your streams and the peripherals.
Microsoft has been pushing gaming in Windows 11 since its announcement in June 2021, with a redesigned Xbox app and HDR support. But countless gamers also stream these games via Windows, so there is a big opportunity here.
It’s attractive to have one app to control the ring lights and the streams for viewers, for example, moving the heavy lifting to one app. It could automate streams based on the schedule and games being played, in addition to different lighting scenarios for different times of day.
This could encourage more gamers to view Windows as a service, as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has stated since the release of Windows 10 in 2015, while Windows 12 would also become an attractive prospect for streamers to earn more followers and revenue for their career. .
5. Companion app for Android
A suggestion from our Ny Breaking editor-in-chief, Desire Athow β this could be an extension of Your Phone, Microsoft’s attempt to sync your mobile with Windows. But when you open this new app in Windows 12, it would have a layout reminiscent of Windows Phone and the tile layout, allowing for a desktop experience from your phone.
This would be similar to Samsung DeX, which can turn your Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22 Ultra into a desktop once connected to a peripheral.
However, this new app would go beyond DeX and Microsoft’s Your Phone efforts. When you connect to a monitor, it becomes a full-fledged Windows 12 desktop, where you can see everything from your main PC. And when you click an icon, the content is downloaded from the cloud and displayed in its original resolution.
It would be an innovative extension of the cloud, where you can access your files wherever you are. Here you carry your desktop with you and all you have to do is connect your smartphone to a monitor, with touchscreen functions or a keyboard and mouse.
As with the streaming feature above, this would again further Nadella’s plans to see Windows as a service. Having your PC in an app is an enticing thought, and can help in situations where you only have a brief opportunity to get some work done with an extra monitor, keyboard, and mouse somewhere.