Microsoft may release its successor to Windows 11 within two years.
The speculation stems from Windows Central, which shared a report today explaining how Microsoft is going back to the old way of releasing new Windows versions, with major new versions of the operating system being rolled out every three years or so.
The implication, as pointed out in XDA’s coverage, is that Windows 12 could arrive as early as 2024.
According to the report, Microsoft has seemingly canceled what would have been next year’s major update (known as Sun Valley 3) – and instead will wait for 2024, three years after the original release of Windows 11 – to release the next version of Windows (presumably Windows 12).
It’s too early to say how Windows 12 might differentiate itself from Windows 11, but the latest version of the operating system will continue to get substantial updates before its successor rolls out.
Windows 11’s next major version is 22H2, and it will introduce many new features, including Start menu improvements that include the ability to create folders in the Pinned area of the menu. Users will also be able to rename folders.
Other highlights include major changes to File Explorer, such as tabs. The long-requested feature will allow users to work with multiple folders within a single window.
Windows 8.1 was released in October 2013, Windows 10 was released in July 2015, and Windows 11 was released in October 2021.
Source: Windows Central (via XDA)