Neither of those products ever saw the light of day, but word from Zac Bowden at Windows Central is that Microsoft is trying once again, this time with “CorePC:”

The project is codenamed CorePC and is designed to be a modular and customizable variant of Windows for Microsoft to leverage different form factors with. Not all Windows PCs need the full breadth of legacy Win32 app support, and CorePC will allow Microsoft to configure “editions” of Windows with varying levels of feature and app compatibility.

The big change with CorePC versus the current shipping version of Windows is that CorePC is state separated, just like Windows Core OS. State separation enables faster updates and a more secure platform via read-only partitions that are inaccessible to the user and third-party apps, just like on iPadOS or Android.

Bowden reports that a version of Windows running only Edge, web and Android apps, and Office apps, planned to compete with Chromebooks with an OS that is “60-75% smaller than Windows 11 SE” is already in internal testing, and the plan is for CorePC to become avialable in time for Windows 12, which is widely expected to launch sometime in 2024.

Of course AI will be a big part of this next version of Windows, as Microsoft has been AI-ing all the things:

Some AI features being developed include the ability for Windows to analyse content on display and provide contextual prompts to jumpstart projects or apps based on the information that’s currently being viewed. Windows may also be able to identify objects and text within images, and allow the user to easily cut out and paste those items elsewhere. Some AI features will require dedicated hardware to function.

Microsoft has been chasing the modular, lightweight core OS idea for ever, yet the desire to continue to support legacy apps and backward compatibility have always gotten in the way for a company that relies on corporate and enterprise business. From the sounds of it, Microsoft might be closer than ever to a newer more modular Windows, but we’ll have to wait and see.

We already have a separate post that details everything we know about Windows 12 so far, but new information regarding the operating system’s system requirements has surfaced. Here’s everything you need to know:

Just like Windows 11, you’ll need Trusted Platform Module to run Windows 12 on your device. However, Microsoft is expected to up the RAM requirement from 4 gigabytes to 8 gigabytes. Deskmodder suggests that the raised standard could be in place to facilitate Microsoft’s Cloud PC service.

Microsoft has already started making headway as far as its Cloud PC service is concerned. Recently, it released build 23419 to the Windows 11 Dev Channel which shipped with a hidden feature dubbed CloudPC connections. It is designed to let users transition from a host PC and a Cloud PC.

Additionally, the processor’s requirements remain the same (1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip). There’s no word on the storage capacity required for the new OS, but it could be anything from 64 GB.

Per the specs shared, it’s apparent that most users running on Windows 11 will be able to transition to Windows 12 since most of the requirements are the same aside from the increased RAM. However, a RAM upgrade could easily fix this issue.

There have also been indications that Microsoft plans to use Pluton as its security chip for Windows 12, though Deskmodder indicates that this isn’t the case. The first devices with the chip first shipped early last year, meaning not very many people have them. This will in turn serve as a deterrent limiting users from making the upgrade to Windows 12.

Not very many users have been able to upgrade their devices to Windows 11 from Windows 10 because of the strict system requirements. Windows 10 is set to hit its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. Microsoft has even stopped selling licenses for its Home and Pro editions.

Microsoft could possibly debut Windows 12 as early as 2024. This is quite applicable seeing as to how the company intends to start shipping major versions of the Windows client every three years again.

Of course, there are still a couple of Moments updates in store for Windows 11 users. We expect to see Microsoft deeply integrate AI in Windows 11 as it has been doing with its products and services lately as well as cloud-related entries.

What are your thoughts on Windows 12’s set system requirements? Let us know in the comments.

Recently, the company has taken up a new approach to how it runs things, particularly with Windows 11. It has been pushing major updates to its latest OS, as is the case with the recent Windows 11 22H2 Moment 2 update that included tons of new features as well as key improvements.

Additionally, Windows 10 continues to get security updates from Microsoft, the company has already started phasing out the OS. Setting the first nail in the coffin, the company announced that Windows 10 licenses are no longer up for sale, that is, Pro and Home Editions. The OS is slated to hit its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025.

That said, there have been some indications that Microsoft could be getting ready to make another major release, “Windows 12.” Till now, there have been numerous indications that the OS is in the works and the release could be made as soon as next year.

Here’s everything we know:

Windows 12 Release date

Several reports have indicated that Microsoft could be ready to release a new OS, Windows 12 (name yet to be confirmed) in 2024.

In retrospect, this might not be farfetched, there have been indications highlighting Microsoft’s intent to start shipping major versions of the Windows client every three years.

With this in mind, Microsoft’s last major release was back in 2021, and the next one could possibly be made sometime in 2024. Windows Central’s Zac Bowden has also reiterated the same sentiments numerous times, a reliable source especially when it comes to matters Windows and Microsoft in general.

New Canary Channel

Earlier this month, Microsoft made some major changes to its Windows Insider program and debuted a new channel dubbed Canary. With the new channel in place, the current Dev Channel has been split into two categories; the Canary and Rebooted Dev Channels.

The first category, Canary will mainly focus on providing technical users with early looks at platform changes that require long lead times, whereas, the Rebooted Dev Channel will focus on providing a bit more stability than the new Canary Channel, though just like the Canary Channel, the changes won’t be tied to a Windows release.

Something that stood out with Microsoft’s announcement, is that it didn’t mention Windows 11 anywhere in the Canary Channel’s description. The company played it safe and also didn’t mention Windows 12. It only mentioned that the Dev Channel will be getting the latest for Windows 11.

However, to set it aside from the rest of the other channels builds shipping to the Canary Channel will be numbered in the 25000 series. The new builds will mainly focus on major changes to the Windows kernel, new APIs, and more.

The company also indicated that some of the features shipping to the Canary Channel might never hit general availability. The company further highlighted that there are those that could ship in future releases when they are ready.

We will announce builds when they are launched to the Canary Channel but they won't receive the more detailed documentation that has been available in other channels to date.

— Windows Insider Program (@windowsinsider) March 7, 2023

Microsoft already released the first Canary Channel build earlier this week coming in at 25314, as part of the 25000 series builds. The release featured LSA Protection Enablement on Upgrade. Additionally, the Remote Mailslot Protocol was disabled by default.

Always a fun question! We don't have a specific date to announce, but we are validating a candidate build internally as is the usual process. Hope to have more to share soon.

— Windows Insider Program (@windowsinsider) March 7, 2023

All this factored in, the new Canary Channel is a lot like the Dev channel. But it appears to be Microsoft’s “hidden” way of testing Windows 12.

Cost implication

A lot of you might be wondering whether Microsoft’s Windows 12 will be free to download. Well, it seems that users will be able to get it for free, however, your device must meet the minimum system requirements set by the company.

We already know that Microsoft offered free updates for existing PCs allowing users to upgrade to Windows 10 and Windows 11. And if this is anything to go by then Windows 12 is likely to follow suit. However, if you don’t have an existing Windows license you still need to make the purchase.

Hardware requirements

There’s little to go about as far as system and hardware requirements are concerned. It is highly likely that Microsoft will favor modern PCs over older ones seeing as to how technology is ever-evolving.

But if Windows 12’s requirements are anything like Windows 11’s, not very many users will be able to make the upgrade. According to a report by Lansweeper, as of October 2021 43% of Microsoft devices still can’t run Windows 11 based on 30 million Windows devices scanned at 60,000 enterprises.

According to @leaf_hobby on Twitter, a well-known source when it comes to intel hardware leaks, Windows 12 is featured on the supported OS list for Intel’s Meteor Lake-S desktop chipsets.

However, the Tweet has since been deleted. Videocardz did capture the details before the Tweet was deleted. Here’s everything that was spotted:

MTL-S has additional 5.0 x4 from CPU(for M.2?)
5.0 x16
5.0 x4
4.0 x4
From CPU Direct
No AVX512

Z890 has additional 4.0 x4 from chipset, x24 Gen4 lanes total
Wi-Fi 7 debut

It says support windows 12 on OS list(?)

Now only 6P+8E and 6P+16E, 8P under dev?
That’s everything I know”

The (Z980) chipset will be paired with Intel Meteor Lake and Arrow Lake CPUs. Meteor Lake processors are set to ship sometime during 2024’s second quarter according to a report by BenchLife.

What’s likely to happen is that Microsoft will still favor modern PCs over older ones and probably stick to the same hardware and system requirements as Windows 11 with some tweaks.

New features

During last year’s Microsoft Ignite event, there was an odd occurrence that wasn’t quite expected. It was an image of Microsoft’s communication platform Teams running on a Windows 11-style desktop.

But if you look closely, you’ll notice a few key elements that set it aside from the usual Windows 11 user interface that we are used to.

A notable feature spotted was the floating taskbar which is different from the current setup. The status bar was also at the top and featured some system icons like Wi-Fi and battery indicators.

A similar concept that we’ve seen in macOS and even Linux offerings. There’s also a weather widget that is featured at the top-left corner of the screen.

AI-powered Windows 12

Microsoft has not made any announcement confirming that Windows 12 is in the works despite the numerous hints suggesting that it is. But one thing that’s for sure is that moving forward, the company will deeply integrate AI across its products and services.

At the beginning of the year, Microsoft extended its partnership with OpenAI by making a multibillion-dollar investment. Since then, the company has deeply integrated AI across its services and products and even debuted the New Bing, the AI copilot for the web, which has had its fair share of setbacks as well as milestones. Perhaps, Microsoft could be looking to further integrate AI technology with the new OS and unlock more capabilities.

While on an interview with the Verge, Yusuf Mehdi, the Corporate Vice President, of Modern Life, Search, and Devices at Microsoft confirmed that the company is looking to incorporate AI into future versions of Windows. For all we know, he could be talking about Windows 11.

According to Mehdi:

As we start to develop future versions of Windows we’ll think about other places where AI should play a natural role in terms of the experience.

Panos Panay, Executive Vice President, and Chief Product Officer at Microsoft also shared the same sentiments at CES stating that “AI is going to reinvent how you do everything on Windows.”

In essence, Microsoft has already taken the first step toward this new reality with the latest Windows 11 update. The Windows 11 taskbar now features the new AI-powered version of Bing. What’s more, the Start menu now recommends content for business users by leveraging AI capabilities.

That’s all we know for now, it is important to take all this with a pinch of salt as Microsoft has not made any announcement regarding a new OS but we’ll keep tabs on any developments and equally keep you posted.

To this end, Microsoft continues to intensify how it rolls out new features to users. Case in point, the company’s recent Windows 11’s next Moments update which featured AI, iOS support, screen recording, and more.

What are your thoughts on Windows 12? We’d love to hear them in the comment section.

Earlier today Microsoft announced Windows Insider build 23403 for the Dev Channel, which is now expected to be focused on the latest Windows 11 innovations, and there’s been somewhat of a reset: offering features previously in the 25300 and 25309 builds to 23403, and now bringing over new features in 23403 like Access Keys in File Explorer, File Recommendations in File Explorer, and Narrator Outlook support to the 25000 series of builds with this new 26314 Canary Channel build.

One new feature coming to 25314 is LSA Protection Enablement on Upgrade, which will check devices running 25314 and beyond for Local Security Authority (LSA) incompatibilities, and if none are found, will automatically turn the LSA protection on.

One change of note too with 25314 is that Remote Mailslot Protocol will be disabled by default:

The legacy Remote Mailslot Protocol is a simple, unreliable, insecure, and unidirectional inter-process communications protocol between a client and server and was introduced in Windows NT 3.1 and will be deprecated in a future Windows release.

Just a reminder that the Canary Channel is Microsoft’s new “hot off the presses” channel, with some caveats:

The builds that will be flighted to the Canary Channel will be “hot off the presses,” flighting very soon after they are built, which means very little validation and documentation will be done before they are offered to Insiders. These builds could include major issues that could result in not being able to use your PC correctly or even in some rare cases require you to reinstall Windows. We will offer limited documentation for the Canary Channel, but we will not publish a blog post for every flight – only when new features are available in a build.

If you were current with your build installs and were on build 25300 or 25309, you should have already been moved to the Canary Channel, so if you want to get back to something a bit more stable, you’ll have to clean install either a Dev, Beta, Release Preview, or Production build of Windows 11. If you want the earliest look at what may come to be Windows 12, hang on it should be a fun ride!