Microsoft is reworking its Windows update release schedule with the intention of delivering a new ‘major’ version of Windows 12 soon.
Microsoft is moving forward with plans for future versions of the operating system. Windows 12 may even come out faster than most people expect.
The release of Windows 11 was not necessarily the success that Microsoft wanted. While the launch of Windows 11 saw a significant number of PC users upgrade the operating system from Windows 10, the number of people updating to Windows 11 has slowed down surprisingly after months. . Only about 20% of Windows users in general are already using Windows 11. Although the number of Windows 11 users is growing slowly, Microsoft is moving forward with plans for future versions of the operating system. Windows 12 may even come out faster than most people expect.
According to a report from WindowsCentral, Microsoft is changing its technical schedule so that a “major” release of Windows will be offered every three years. That could mean Windows 12 or whatever name Microsoft decides to give the next version of Windows will be out as early as 2024. The report claims that a new version of Windows is currently being worked on. called “Next Valley,” seems like a temporary name for Microsoft to continue assessing what the 2024 release of Windows will bring.
Between now and 2024, Microsoft plans to release more frequent feature updates for Windows in addition to the significant annual updates announced in 2021. These smaller updates will be released. up to four times a year starting in 2023 and referred to as “Moments”. WindowsCentral says that Microsoft’s release of the Taskbar weather button for Windows 11 earlier this year is an example of what these Moments look like.
It seems that for Microsoft, 20% of people who update Windows every 3 years or so with a particularly successful release could be more appealing than 75% of Windows users still using Windows 10 like this. Currently.
While a major Windows release may be coming soon in 2024, it’s actually a delay on Microsoft’s part. Previously Microsoft planned to release the next big Windows for 2023 internally called Sun Valley 3. Now the features of Sun Valley 3 are being broken down and will be included in updates. Moments for Windows 11. These new Windows 11 features are yet to be confirmed.
The next version of Windows may now launch late in 2024 instead of 2023, but the move to a 3-year release schedule for major Windows releases is an acceleration from previous plans. there. Gamers may have noticed that it has been 7 years since Windows 10 was released.
The last time Microsoft tried such a rushed release schedule was with Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 that were released between 2006 and 2012. Adopting the new operating system was a thorny road, though. But maybe that’s what Microsoft wants in the future. It seems that for Microsoft, 20% of people who update Windows every 3 years or so with a particularly successful release could be more appealing than 75% of Windows users still using Windows 10 like this. Currently.
See also: Valve offers to partner with Steam Deck competitor GPD
