The release date of Windows 12 may have recently been leaked and could make its way to computers in the near future
Windows 12 is anticipated to be the successor to Windows 11, which was launched in October 2021, featuring visual enhancements to elements like the taskbar, Windows Explorer, and the introduction of widget support. It’s important to note that Microsoft has not officially disclosed any details regarding the launch of the next version of its Windows desktop operating system.
During a recent fireside chat at the Citi 2023 Global Technology Conference, Intel’s CFO, David Zinsner, hinted at the release date for Windows 12. In the transcript, Zinsner is quoted as saying, “We actually think ’24 is going to be a pretty good year for the client, in particular, because of the Windows refresh.” This statement suggests that a new version of Windows is in the pipeline.
Zinsner further elaborates, stating, “And we still think that the installed base is pretty old and does require a refresh, and we think next year maybe the start of that, given the Windows catalyst. So, we’re optimistic about how things will play out beginning in ’24.” He made these remarks in response to a question about Intel’s expectations for its market share gains.
It’s noteworthy that Intel’s mention of a Windows “refresh” and “catalyst” comes shortly after the company introduced its Intel Core Ultra processors, set to debut on December 14. While Intel’s Meteor Lake chips are primarily aimed at laptops, the anticipated release of Intel’s Arrow Lake-S CPUs, featuring up to 24 cores, in 2024 suggests that Intel might have new desktop CPUs ready in time for the next Windows version.
Intel’s latest Meteor Lake chips represent the chipmaker’s first processors equipped with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) for improved on-device AI performance. The chiplet design also incorporates the first integrated NPU AI engine. Given that the Windows 11 23H2 update is already introducing new AI features like Windows Copilot, it’s likely that Microsoft will further emphasize AI features and technology if it plans to release the next Windows version in the coming months.