Windows 12 Delayed as Microsoft Prepares Windows 11 25H2 Update

[AleksandarK]

Microsoft has quietly set aside plans for a standalone "Windows 12" release and will instead introduce its next major feature update as Windows 11 version 25H2 later this year. On Friday, the company confirmed that the latest Insider Preview build is now available for testers, with a broader rollout scheduled in the second half of 2025. From a technical perspective, version 25H2 builds on the same platform and servicing stack as the current 24H2 release. This shared‑branch strategy allows devices already running 24H2 to receive a small enablement package and then restart. The entire process is designed to feel no different from installing a routine monthly update, avoiding a lengthy reinstall. At this stage, the 25H2 preview offers the same feature set that appeared in the 24H2 Beta Channel.

Microsoft has explained that upcoming enhancements are already staged within the 24H2 branch in a disabled state. As each feature reaches maturity, its code will be bundled into the monthly cumulative updates for 24H2 and then activated via the enablement package, following the model first introduced with Windows 10 version 1909. As official support for Windows 10 ends in October 2025, launching version 25H2 in the September-October window could encourage any remaining Windows 10 users to upgrade. Enterprises and educational institutions will benefit from a renewed 36-month support cycle, while consumer editions will gain 24 months of servicing. Microsoft has not yet provided an exact date for general availability, but Windows Insiders can begin exploring the 25H2 preview today and submit feedback. When the update becomes widely available, users can perform a simple restart to activate Windows 11 version 25H2.



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[Ruru]

"Windows 10 will be the last Windows"

That statement from several years ago aged very well.

 

[texh]

25H2 and 26H2 lol.... why not windows10 > windows12

 

[Guwapo77]

Windows 12 already?

 

[mechtech]

I miss the days of using an OS for at least 7 years with maybe 2 to 3 service packs.............

 

[Vayra86]

Windows 12 already?

Of course, they need to fully encapsulate you in the new Copilot ecosystem. Can't be having tons of installs that are on older Windows 11s that don't upgrade and don't have Copilot bits.

 

[phanbuey]

prepare for a 20% decrease in FPS to get you to buy Zen 6 and Nova lake, but yet maintain the same performance from windowss 11.

Maybe instead of just abstracting and hashing the memory addresses via a virtualized kernel, we can have the AI mask addresses, since it's recording everything you're doing anyways. Perfect use for those NPUs.

 

[texh]

Yes copilot and fully AI would be the main thing

 

[QuietBob]

consumer editions will gain 24 months of servicing

Has that changed recently? The FAQ section of this MS end of support article says one year.

 

[Hecate91]

I miss the days of using an OS for at least 7 years with maybe 2 to 3 service packs.............

Or an OS that isn't full of AI garbage and ads.
All MS needs to do is sell a trimmed down version of W10 for enthusiasts & gamers.

 

[MrDweezil]

"Windows 10 will be the last Windows"

That statement from several years ago aged very well.

Its not like they're doing scratch rewrites here. 11 is a lightly tweaked 10. 12 will almost certainly be a lightly tweaked 11. I'd say they're trying to squeeze more money out of me with the named versions, but they've historically offered free upgrades so it seems like its mostly marketing.

 

[Legacy-ZA]

Definitely doing a clean install, it has never ever gone smooth otherwise. First I need to find a safe way to remove some of it's guts though.

 

[GhostRyder]

Jeez, I didn't think I would hear about 12 for the next couple of years at least...

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Its not like they're doing scratch rewrites here. 11 is a lightly tweaked 10. 12 will almost certainly be a lightly tweaked 11. I'd say they're trying to squeeze more money out of me with the named versions, but they've historically offered free upgrades so it seems like its mostly marketing.

That depends on if they go through with rebuilding the kernel to eliminate legacy cruft, which would break win32 compatibility entirely. They keep threatening to do it.

Or an OS that isn't full of AI garbage and ads.
All MS needs to do is sell a trimmed down version of W10 for enthusiasts & gamers.

You mean the enthusiasts and gamers that run windows 11 while complaining?

What would they gain from this?

 

[Daven]

Windows 12!!! Lolololol! ROFLMAO! Lolololol! No.

 

[Hecate91]

You mean the enthusiasts and gamers that run windows 11 while complaining?

What would they gain from this?

And all of those complaints are valid. The only ones not complaining are the hardcore windows fans who spend hours tweaking the registry then out of touch attacking everyone who says windows is a bloated mess.
MS would gain a lot of positive feedback, but its not like they even remotely care about the consumer market anymore, just shovel a bunch of AI copilot BS in everyones faces. And then there's the fact that Linux has better performance in gaming than W11, if MS cared they would fix things instead of moving on to windows 12.

 

[MrDweezil]

That depends on if they go through with rebuilding the kernel to eliminate legacy cruft, which would break win32 compatibility entirely. They keep threatening to do it.

They're never going to do that.

 

[Frick]

Wait what? Has there ever been plans from MS to release Windows 12? As in something that has been known?

 

[Daven]

Wait what? Has there ever been plans from MS to release Windows 12? As in something that has been known?

I know right. You would think that MS would be too embarrassed to release a version of Windows ever again.

 

[mb194dc]

What will break first I wonder.

 

[halcyon]

My guess is that MS wants to ship Win12 with:

1. Rentable Services Layer (AI + other services) as a built-in feature that you can't remove (like you can remove Co-Pilot on Win11))
2. Configurable ad platform with deep tracking of all user activity (depending on edition)
3. 100% Windows Login-in sign on required and with deep tracking and no ability to opt out
4. Control the installable software / drivers for it (Windows Store) and earn commission on those sales (like Apple, like Google)

They probably can't push all of these into Win12 and the enterprise editions for corporate customers will be able able to opt out some of these features.

Just watch this happen. The future is monetization of everything as a service and no opportunity left unused.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

"Windows 10 will be the last Windows"

That statement from several years ago aged very well.

Perhaps it’s just the usual MS communication breakdown. W10 was the last Windows for their defunct smartphone line, and it will be the last Windows you can officially install and operate on millions of perfectly usable PCs. It was more a prognostication, but we mistook it for a mission statement.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Of course, they need to fully encapsulate you in the new Copilot ecosystem. Can't be having tons of installs that are on older Windows 11s that don't upgrade and don't have Copilot bits.

Didn't you need a CPU with NPU for Copilot?

And all of those complaints are valid. The only ones not complaining are the hardcore windows fans who spend hours tweaking the registry then out of touch attacking everyone who says windows is a bloated mess.
MS would gain a lot of positive feedback, but its not like they even remotely care about the consumer market anymore, just shovel a bunch of AI copilot BS in everyones faces. And then there's the fact that Linux has better performance in gaming than W11, if MS cared they would fix things instead of moving on to windows 12.

They could probably make good money partnering with Steam to promote a stripped down non-bloated windows gaming OS and license that for $15 per device.

 

[RejZoR]

Windows 12, with more BS arbitrary hardware requirements, mandatory online account that can't be bypassed and MOAR Ai bs. Boy, can't wait for that!

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

They're never going to do that.

They're never going to require online accounts either. Right?

And all of those complaints are valid.

I never said they were not valid. I simply pointed out all those complaining are still using the product so.....what would MS gain from catering to them?

The only ones not complaining are the hardcore windows fans who spend hours tweaking the registry then out of touch attacking everyone who says windows is a bloated mess.

Nope. There are tens of millions of users who just use their computer and go about their life. The vast majority of PC users do NOT care at all.

MS would gain a lot of positive feedback, but its not like they even remotely care about the consumer market anymore, just shovel a bunch of AI copilot BS in everyones faces.

You're so close to getting it. If the consumer already uses their product.....why would they cater to them when they can use AI to make even more money?

And then there's the fact that Linux has better performance in gaming than W11, if MS cared they would fix things instead of moving on to windows 12.

The multi trillion dollar MS doesnt care about the scraps moving to the penguin OS. The overwhelming majority of PC gamers use Winblows. Until that changes in some significant way, MS has no pressure to listen to their consumers.

It is a monopoly, built not by MS, but by consumer's ignorance and refusal to learn. They have nobody to blame but themselves.