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[LectureMaster]

Windows 12 Reportedly Set for Release This Year as a Fully Modular, Subscription-Based, AI-Focused OS

Reports suggest that Microsoft may be gearing up to launch Windows 12 this year, which will be a modular and AI-focused OS.

tech4gamers.com

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As PCWorld's new report goes, the new OS, codenamed 'Hudson Valley Next,' is set to release later this year, right around the time when Windows 10's support ends.

The modular aspect of the OS is Microsoft's CorePC architecture project that they've been working on for years. It will redefine the Windows experience by allowing the addition and removal of components. This will help customise the OS for each build, whether it's a lighter-weight system, a gaming-prioritised build, etc.

Generally, Windows 12 will be a much more adaptive and customizable OS than any of its past versions. Visually, we may also see a major leap, as a new visual layout is expected to include transparent glass elements and a floating taskbar.

Unfortunately, these are the only bright sides to this new OS. Microsoft's Copilot, the AI assistant the company has been aggressively injecting across the ecosystem, will now be a core part of the next Windows iteration rather than a supplementary feature.

Some parts of the OS might also be locked away behind a subscription model that are expected to be "advanced AI services", etc.

These AI features won't come cheaply, with Windows 12 set to debut a new hardware requirement just as its predecessor did with the TPM 2.0 requirement. This time around, a dedicated NPU would be required, a specialized processor designed to handle AI tasks.

NPUs are still early-stage chips and not widely adopted across all systems. This requirement will lock out millions of PC owners from updating to Microsoft's next OS, but fortunately, Windows 11 support will last for another few years.

Editor's note: This article is a translation of a German article by PC-Welt. It does not meet PCWorld's standards and should not have been published. The first version did not include any source links or attributions and was written in a way that suggested it was original reporting. It is not. We contacted PC-Welt and added sourcing after the initial publication. It still does not meet PCWorld's publication standards, but we're keeping the article live for the public record. We're examining internal processes for PC-Welt and PCWorld alike to ensure a situation like this never happens again. I'm sorry. – Brad Chacos, PCWorld executive editor

No, an AI-focused "Windows 12" is not coming this year — here's the plan

A new report has caught the internet's attention, claiming that Windows 12 is coming this year and will be a modular, AI-powered OS. Here's why that's wrong.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Mr Moose]

AI-Focused OS

LOL, fuck off.

 

[LectureMaster]

 

[RoboFu]

Sounds absolutely horrible



Edit: also if you haven't realized yet " AI " is just cover to push people towards " compute as a service " for the data center owners. That's the big goal .. get everyone on your subscription.

 

[Diseased Yak]

*laughs in Linux*

(I finally have a reason to use that meme)

 

[Steve Holt]

No one wants this

 

[Gudji]

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

Sounds like much needed push for Linux to finally go mainstream, especially for gamers.

 

[Steve Holt]

Subscription based too

 

[Moondoggy]

Nice try Microsoft you silly billy, releasing an OS that's worse than Windows 11 won't suddenly make us hate it less.

 

[Kazdane]

Subscription based and AI-focused. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

you can complain all you want, but unless you run windows alternatives on your systems you'll end up running windows 12

microsoft will continue to work assuming consumers will eat whatever slop they serve

 

[Fermbiz]

If this is true, holy shit am I going to pack up my bags and head to Linux.

 

[MiguelItUp]

Definitely sounding like more and more people are going to be going to Linux if true.

I can't help but feel like this won't happen, but they've been making some questionable decisions left and right which make it all THAT much more believable.

 

[realcool]

Oh, so they're trying to ruin my shares...

 

[falconhoof]

It will redefine the Windows experience by allowing the addition and removal of components.

"Oh cool, so I can uninstall all the features I don't want!"

"No, sorry we misspoke. What we meant to say is that you can subscribe to all the features you do want"

 

[RoboFu]

Do these companies really think people are all into the AI hype? No companies I work with want AI anywhere near their network.

 

[Hari Seldon]

Literally the only thing I use windows for is gaming. Please save us nvidia and valve.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

you can complain all you want, but unless you run windows alternatives on your systems you'll end up running windows 12

Billions NPU-less PCs will skip this OS thanks to insane new PC pricing, thanks to chipocalypse that was driven by AI bubble.

This AI thing is an ouroboros of shit.

 

[cormack12]

 

[Hari Seldon]

Billions NPU-less PCs will skip this OS thanks to insane new PC pricing, thanks to chipocalypse that was driven by AI bubble.

This AI thing is an ouroboros of shit.

Yeah they are releasing an AI OS at a time when absolutely no one can take advantage of it due to AI lmao.

 

[Esquie]

Title of the article is a bit misleading, basically perfect click bait for knee-jerk reactions from people that don't actually read the article. Specifically, the subscription stuff is only for "advanced AI services". The title makes it seem like it's a subscription OS.

The biggest news is the NPU requirement.

 

[DarkShadowXI]

Well…time to learn Linux!

At least I've been messing around with SteamOS for a few years.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Do these companies really think people are all into the AI hype? No companies I work with want AI anywhere near their network.

What companies are that?

In corporate America almost everyone is using AI. Source: I work for a tech consulting firm and just about all of our contracts are now implementing some form of AI or they want devs who know how to use AI coding assistants and the like.

 

[Draugoth]

HAHAHAHA

 

[Kacho]

Good luck with that adoption rate

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Billions NPU-less PCs will skip this OS thanks to insane new PC pricing, thanks to chipocalypse that was driven by AI bubble.

This AI thing is an ouroboros of shit.

And they will be upgraded. We've been here before.

 

[poppabk]

This sounds good?
Modular - good, can get rid of a bunch of shit I don't need/use. Local AI - sort of good, at least better than sending everything to MS, Subscription for advanced AI - eh, sure milk the people who want more AI, NPU requirement - the only really bad part as I don't have one in any of my PCs.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

Wait until you see what is going to happen to the ability to use your non-verifiable™ media.

It will make ATSC3 DRM look like the pirate bay.

 

[Unknown?]

Vista 2.0?

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

And they will be upgraded. We've been here before.

Before what? Win 11 share DROPPED recently.

 

[ProtoByte]

Yeah... I don't think enterprise customers are gonna go along with this. Companies are not going to put their entire infrastructure at the mercy of AI

 

[NeonDelta]

they'd make more money if they charged people to remove the AI shit.

 

[PlayStaytion]

That's a lot of words to say playing online are no longer free on PC. I'm not against anti cheating to be frank but we shall expect a substantial increase on Linux userbase to %20.

 

[Rubik8]

If this is true, holy shit am I going to pack up my bags and head to Linux.

Come on over. It's really nice here.

 

[CrustyBritches]

This was what Valve was preparing for with SteamOS and Deck.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Fuck that, and fuck you MS. Sticking to windows 10 forever at this rate.

 

[poppabk]

That's a lot of words to say playing online are no longer free on PC. I'm not against anti cheating to be frank but we shall expect a substantial increase on Linux userbase to %20.

What? Think you read a different article.

 

[bitbydeath]

This is the OS Magnus will use if it still goes ahead. OS sub fee to replace the online sub fee sounds about right.

 

[Draugoth]

This was what Valve was preparing for with SteamOS and Deck.

Valve with their own OS that supported DRM games would completely dominate the gaming market.

 

[poppabk]

This is the OS Magnus will use if it still goes ahead. OS sub fee to replace the online sub fee sounds about right.

Where are you seeing anything about an OS sub fee?

 

[Nvzman]

I will switch to Linux wholesale and keep my PS5 for CoD and whatever doesn't work on Linux if true. Go fuck yourself MS.

 

[TheAtomicPile]

I wonder what the conversion rate is on the current Office 365 scam (where you buy a Windows 11 desktop/laptop then one day in ransomware-like fashion it tells you the Office apps won't work unless you start paying the subscription).

They must feel confident that enough people will bend over and pay for Windows 12 once that trial period ends. Everyone else should be looking at the alternatives (Linux, Libre office, etc.).

 

[bitbydeath]

Where are you seeing anything about an OS sub fee?

Some parts of the OS might also be locked away behind a subscription model that are expected to be "advanced AI services", etc.

 

[pudel]

more subs, more AI, new CPU...this sounds horrible. What is this NPU even doing? Is that an extra chip just dedicated to AI calculations?

 

[PauloRoberto]

Define modular... because if that means that the system will be lighter and i can literally ignore all this AI bullshit, sure, why not? We evidently know this will not be the case thought...

 

[StereoVsn]

Well, this sucks. I trust MS to get any of that right and be even somewhat pro consumer as much as I can throw them

 

[Kacho]

How often are ads for AI and Office 365 going to be pushed?

 

[Fake]

Next Xbox with Windows 12 blue screen on consoles LETS FUCKING GO!!!!

 

[Badlucktroll]

omg why would anyone want this