Now it is out. Microsoft has confirmed that the new version of Windows expected this fall will be called “Windows 11, Version 24H2”. This means that speculation that Microsoft would release Windows 12 this fall is off the table. The information comes from Microsoft’s own Windows Blog.
The published changelog of the Windows 11 Preview build confirms that this year’s feature update will continue to be called Windows 11. Literally:
“Starting with Build 26-xx today, Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels will see that versioning has been updated to version 24H2 under Settings > System > About. This means that Windows 11 version 24H2 will be this year’s annual feature update. As already mentioned, Windows 11 will be released as a feature update on an annual basis in the second half of the calendar year.”
Windows 11 Update: AI features and QoL focus
Previously, it was speculated that this upcoming version, which will be based on a new version of the Windows platform called Germanium, would ship as “Windows 12” due to the next generation’s focus on AI, which is expected to lead this version. However, Microsoft has now confirmed that this will not be the case.
But the step that the Redmond company chose makes perfect sense. A third version of Windows on the market so early would have meant that Microsoft would have supported three Windows operating systems at the same time. Because Windows 10 support officially ends on October 14, 2024. In addition, the release of the fall update as another Windows 11 feature update means that all Windows 11 users can easily update to it.
However, this does not mean that the next Windows 11 update will not be a big one. This next release will focus on next-generation AI experiences and improvements to QoL (quality of life) features. We can look forward to some innovations.
Further articles on the topic:
