When preparing to renew a fleet of workstations or configuring a new PC, the question arises quickly: should we wait for Windows 12 or lock in the installation on Windows 11 now? Microsoft has been blurring the lines for several months, and the answer is far from obvious. The name “Windows 12” is widely circulated, but the official strategy of the publisher tells a different story.
Windows 25H2: the update that delays Windows 12
At the end of June 2025, Microsoft confirmed that the next major version would be Windows 11 25H2, not Windows 12. For anyone planning a deployment or a license purchase, this is the most concrete signal to remember: we will remain on the Windows 11 base for at least another year.
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The 25H2 version is built on the same technical foundation as 24H2. No architectural break, no new kernel. Microsoft promises a faster installation than 24H2, which is especially important in environments where dozens of machines are imaged.
For those closely following the release date of Windows 12 on Geekfinity, the observation is clear: no official announcement mentions an OS numbered “12”. The branding may never exist in this form.
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Copilot+ PC and NPU: the real hardware divide behind Windows 12
The real change does not carry a version number. It carries a hardware name: NPU (Neural Processing Unit). Microsoft has created the “Copilot+ PC” label to designate machines equipped with a chip with an NPU that reaches a sufficient AI power threshold to enable advanced local features.
Specifically, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite kicked things off, followed by Intel’s Lunar Lake chips and the upcoming AMD generations. Without this NPU, certain functions remain inaccessible, even when running on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2.
We end up with two classes of PCs under the same operating system: those that enable Recall, local studio effects, AI contextual search, and those that do not have access to them. This functional divide effectively replaces the traditional break between “old OS” and “new OS”.
- Copilot+ PCs unlock local AI functions (Recall, real-time subtitling, studio effects) without mandatory cloud connection
- Machines without a compatible NPU retain full Windows 11, but without the advanced AI layer
- The NPU power threshold is not just a marketing number: it conditions the software activation on Microsoft’s side
Recall and regulators: the brake that no one controls
Among the most visible features of Copilot+ PCs, Recall caused an uproar even before its release. The principle: Windows regularly captures snapshots of the screen to allow for retroactive searches in the usage history. On paper, it’s a productivity gain. In practice, it’s a compliance nightmare.
Data protection authorities are already closely examining this type of feature. Recall could delay or limit the deployment of certain AI functions in countries where privacy regulations are strict, particularly in Europe.
For an IT department, this means that adopting a Copilot+ PC does not guarantee immediate access to all announced features. Feedback on this point varies by region and compliance updates pushed by Microsoft.
What this means for PC purchases in 2025-2026
Before ordering new machines betting on AI capabilities, two things need to be checked: the actual presence of a compatible NPU, and the real availability of Recall and studio functions in the deployment region. A Copilot+ branded PC purchased in France could very well have certain features disabled by default if regulators require it.
Windows 12: a name or a real system change?
During Build 2024 and the Copilot+ PC launches, Satya Nadella and Yusuf Mehdi spoke of a “new generation of Windows optimized for AI” without ever using the term Windows 12. This choice of communication is not trivial.
Microsoft seems to favor a model of continuous updates based on Windows 11 rather than a spectacular launch with a new number. The “Core PC” modular architecture mentioned in several leaks would support this: a lightweight and modular foundation, updated in blocks, without complete reinstallation.
If this model is confirmed, the very notion of “release” of a new OS loses its usual meaning. We would shift from a “license purchase + migration” cycle to a continuous flow of features activated according to the hardware.
- The branding “Windows 12” could just be a marketing name for a major update of Windows 11
- The modular architecture would allow features to be activated in layers, without heavy migration
- The three-year cycle between versions (Windows 10 to 11) is no longer guaranteed as a reference model
Realistic timeline and decisions to make now
With the confirmation of Windows 11 25H2 and the postponement of at least a year for any version numbered “12”, the most likely timeline places a potential announcement at the earliest by the end of 2026, or even 2027. Nothing is set in stone.
For users still on Windows 10, the priority remains migration to Windows 11. Waiting for a hypothetical Windows 12 means staying on a system whose extended support is nearing its end of life.
Migrating to Windows 11 now and choosing compatible Copilot+ hardware is the strongest strategy. If Windows 12 ever arrives as a major update, these machines will be at the forefront to benefit from it. If the name never sees the light of day, we will still have an up-to-date fleet with activatable AI features.