Windows 12 in 2024? Intel CFO claims refresh is coming
Is Microsoft going to release a new version of Windows, maybe called Windows 12, in 2024? The company is as usual tight lipped when it comes to new product releases, which means that information about the next Windows is coming from third-party sources and internal leaks at the moment.
Intel Chief Financial Officer David Zinser mentioned a "Windows refresh" that is coming in 2024 in a conversation with Citi. Discovered by PCGamer, Zinser said in the conversation: "We actually think '24 is going to be a pretty good year for client, in particular, because of the Windows refresh. And we still think that the installed base is pretty old and does require a refresh and we think next year may be the start of that, given the Windows catalyst. So we're optimistic about how things will play out beginning in '24."
Microsoft released Windows 11 in 2021 as the successor of Windows 10. Windows 10 is running out of support in 2025. Microsoft raised system requirements when it released Windows 11, which blocks millions of devices from being upgraded to it.
Windows refresh suggests that Microsoft could release a new operating system or a refresh of Windows 11, similarly to how Windows 8.1 is seen as a refresh of Windows 8. While Windows 12 is not mentioned specifically, anything but a major new Windows release would probably not affect Intel's revenue predictions this much.
Windows Central notes that the term refresh was also used to describe Windows 11 before its reveal in 2021. The site claims that development of this next version of Windows is "in full swing" and that its source suggest that "most of the work" could be complete by mid 2024.
The next version of Windows will focus on integrating AI and cloud services deeper into the operating system. There will also be some design and interface changes, but nothing is fixed at this stage.
Whether Windows 11 development is going to end at that point or not is unclear. Microsoft could push Windows 12 as an update for Windows 11, similarly to a feature update. In any event, Microsoft guarantees 2 years of updates for any Windows 11 release. This would give organizations and users enough time to make the upgrade decision, if Microsoft decides to put Windows 11 in the backseat.
2024 will be an interesting year for Windows, if the next version of Windows is really released in the year. Microsoft has about a year left, if true. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft plans to release early copies as Insider builds for testing.
Windows users who are disheartened by recent developments, especially the integration of more and more promotions and ads in Windows 11, may not like the general direction of development, as it promises more of the same.
Still, it is too early to judge an operating system that has not been officially confirmed by Microsoft.
Now You: are you excited about a Windows refresh?
Another piece of junk, even worser than 11 & 10 combined together.
Feeling comfortably fine with Windows 7 ESU backed by 44-thread Broadwell, 3090Ti and fast nvme drive. Planning distant upgrade to Ryzen 8950x.
ps maybe they finally come up with even more frequent updates than modern android trash, like every half year new windows.
Given the not-so-good track record since version 3.1, with a disaster version every other release, I think Windows 12 has a chance.
In addition, many of the innovations announced for Windows 11 have not been realized, so there is a chance that they will be realized in Windows 12.
But it will probably turn out to be another false promise from Microsoft, such as “Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows!
Given the decades of Microsoft release disappointments, I am moving to Raspberry Pi and larger desktop & laptop Linux systems. I love Mint.
“Given the not-so-good track record since version 3.1, with a disaster version every other release”
I’m so sick and tired of this line, it is rolled out every time people talk about windows versions, and is wildly wrong. “Botched rollout” is not the same thing as “disaster version”, go install Vista on a compatible PC right now in 2023, you will find that it works pretty well, go install WIndows 8 (8.1?) right now on a compatible PC and you will find that it also works pretty well out of the box.
Vista’s problem was that people tried to install it on XP-era hardware (or it was sold to people on computers that could barely run it), plus it had to follow-up from XP which no OS could have really done, and Windows 8’s problem was basically just an overly ambitious but bad roll-out (released earlier than it should have), most of Windows 8’s issues were sorted by Windows 8.1.
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That aside, I am really curious what you consider to be some of Windows 11’s “innovations”, because you didn’t seem to be using sarcasm there, and it doesn’t seem like that statement was part of a joke?
Linux is great unless you need to use industry standard software, but if you’re mostly web surfing, I mean duh, anything from an android/apple/smart fridge/linux computer can do web surfing :)
Dare I say it, but I think Martin has fixed the Comments section since none of them are dated before the article was written as is the case with the rest of the articles.
As for Windows Refresh it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that you’ll need a Microsoft account to use it. I’ll be very surprised if login with a local account will still be permitted since that allows you to bypass all the crap Microsoft dishes out these days. So no, I’m not excited.
TelV
The comment bug is linked to “categories”, this is the first post under “Windows 12 News” since the bug happened, which is why comments are clean (still). You can bet any future “Windows 12 News” posts will contain comments from this article, or something stupid like that, as long as issue is not fixed.
I have been using Windows 7 Pro for a very long time. Works good very everything I need.
Vid editing / photo editing and all. OH! and guess what!? No flashing banners and no bloatWare
Microsoft went astray after Windows 7. Satya’s cloud BS is ruining the last product they still have that I’m willing to use. If Microsoft continues along this path, I won’t be using Windows in the future.
Yep, really seeing how far I can take Windows 7, still no issues in 2023, having an “out of date” browser in 2024 will sting slightly but it’s not the end of the world I don’t think.
I just got Firefox 68 for my Android KitKat phone and am highly impressed at how compatible it is with the modern web, almost everything works. So can only imagine Firefox 115 will stay compatible for years to come :) Between last firefox and last chrome I bet web use will be A-okay until maybe 2028 or 2030.
I am developing some private use programs with user interfaces and it’s so fun using Aero glass, truly beautiful. Microsoft’s main schtick is backwards compatibility, yet they couldn’t keep the Win 7 Aero theme as a customisation option hidden in the settings.
Article URL : [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/08/windows-12-in-2024-intel-cfo-claims-refresh-is-coming/#comment-4574807]
@bruh wrote “Yep, really seeing how far I can take Windows 7, still no issues in 2023, having an “out of date” browser in 2024 will sting slightly but it’s not the end of the world I don’t think.”, taking the words out of my keyboard : couldn’t agree more. Still allows all features I need, no fuss, no problems, no OS updates … Tranquility base here, flying me to the Moon night & day :)
About next Windows, 12 would it be? Just wondering if they’ll skip 13 though if Apollo 13 had been labeled 14 I doubt it would have had any chance to avoid the near-to drama. No idea here as if I’ll ever upgrade to a “modern” Windows OS. Wait and see, Carpe Diem.
Hey Tom,
Thanks for the reply – I totally agree, most of the time I am reading this news about Windows 10/11 just for entertainment purposes, but a little sad to see how far MS has fallen. The thing is, they had a great thing, and it takes actively making steps in the wrong direction to mess things up this bad.
It is a genuine pleasure to use Windows 7 (and not just Windows, also Office 2007!), but to be honest, every now and then I get a little worried, a voice in the back of my mind nagging saying “how long will this last?”, luckily for me, I am in the IT industry, I have to keep up with the latest and greatest anyway, and ensuring that Windows 7 stays functional for my needs is a bit of a hobby at this point (not that it takes much work, yet)
I think all this trouble started when they decided they need to focus more on tablet/touch/ARM support. You will notice in a lot of user interfaces nowadays (not just Windows) are more spaced out, buttons are further apart, there’s more white space everywhere, it looks like amateur design but it’s all made with tablets/touch in mind – this is combined with the “simplification” of things (“the user can’t see too many settings all at once, their poor little brain will get overwhelmed!”), but ironically, we have an Acer Aspire from 2009 with a touch screen and Windows 7, it works really well! (You just need a stylus instead of using your finger).
The trouble with Windows is that, it’s almost as if they are putting in the bare minimum, getting really lazy with it – how many redesigns have things had? Most of the redesigning was focused on the few things that regular users interact with, day to day, the things that most users don’t interact with have been left in 2009 (or 2006). Task Manager and Resource Monitor are two great pals, yet only one of these programs has received any kind of attention over the past 14 years, take a look at Registry Editor, or Disk Management, it’s just embarrassing really, and has made me lose faith and respect in their modern operating systems.
I can make some predictions: Windows 12 will make it even harder to set up a PC without an MS account, they will do something special like linking the license key to the setup process – do you have a corporate license? You can skip MS account, do you have a regular license because you bought your PC at a store? MS account cannot be skipped. Then they make the corporate licenses non-perpetual (maybe they already are), and boom, every regular joe is forced to have one.
I can predict that minimum requirements to use the OS might also go up (although they may not actually write as such in the specifications). Also, how long will it be until they start making 32 bit programs harder to use? Android has stopped allowing them, iOS has as well, MacOS also, Windows is the last hold-out, they might make it a “corporate-only” feature too!
Basically, expect to see another iteration of an OS where you, the end user, has even less control over your own computer. Doesn’t sound like fun to me!
Sorry for the wall of text… I have real problems with writing too much. Soon I will set up my own website for blogging (to no-one) where I can get all of this out of my system :)
Now we have a gossip column; if there’s no factual basis for an article other than a term “refresh,” it’s not even worth the time to read. And wasn’t there another article on a “Basic” version of Windows 11? Not Home, Not Pro. “A subscription-based version of Windows.” Another gossip fantasy. Oh my! Think it’s time for a walk to see the changing colors of autumn.
Lol!
I believe that Microsoft is working hard to have the OS no longer on your own private ssd/hard drive, but completely online.
This will of course lead to all kinds of security problems, lack of privacy and your OS being offline. These three points are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many disadvantages, but I would need several pages to list them all, so I have tried to give you an idea of where things are going.
Refresh in the sense of firing all the existing fools at Microsoft and hiring individuals who are aware of what Windows users actually desire? They need Windows-experienced devs, not these moron iPad users who spend their days trying to imitate Apple’s cringe.
The “refresh” already happened years ago on my system. it’s called Linux. M$ can go to hell!
We need a CEO 4 before Windows 12
Windows Cloud might be a better name. No thank you. Farewell.
“The next version of Windows will focus on integrating AI and cloud services deeper into the operating system.” To me, that translates into M$ engaging in social engineering that will eventually lead to everybody being forced to use dumb terminals eventually. This will result in them being able to charge users rental fees for their garbage OS and for access to consumers’ own data, which will be stored on M$ corporate servers. This will be seasoned with a healthy dose of advertising as well, since the greed of Microsoft know no limits.
HA! You beat me to it. I need a copy of Windows for 2 programs I own, and the ability to modify 2 government PDFs (which I can download via Linux). Otherwise Softie and go scratch. My Windows copy need never go online, so updates are irrelevant.
The solution for me is to use Linux. For those programs that I need Windows for, I have Windows installed in Virtual Machine under a different name.
Just go back to windows as a purchase. Drop all the ads, ai, and cloud stuff.
Businesses and home users want to have thier data local and not have to have a internet connection to use thier computer.
If it is true that Win12 will be mostly cloud based, I’ll probably have to give up my efforts to delete all that kind of unwanted garbage already in 11 and face the fact that Windows will be finally dead to me.