Microsoft’s Windows Insider Blog confirms Windows 11 24H2 as the 2024 annual feature update. Windows 11 will follow a yearly update cycle, indicating Windows 12 won’t arrive in 2024.
Following Panos Panay’s departure from Microsoft, speculation arose regarding the three-year update cycle for Windows. This speculation has been confirmed today in Microsoft’s official Windows Insider Blog, stating that “Windows 11 24H2 will be this year’s annual feature update.” This indicates that Windows 12 won’t arrive in 2024, possibly delaying the next major Windows update until 2025.
Windows 11 24H2 Will Be a Big Update of 2024
The changelog was initially noticed by WindowsCentral on the Windows Insider Blog, where Microsoft unveiled the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052 for the Canary and Dev channels. The changelog highlights that 24H2 will be the significant update of 2024.
Beginning with Build 26-xx, Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels will notice the versioning updated under Settings > System > About (and winver) to version 24H2. This signifies that Windows 11, version 24H2, will serve as this year’s annual feature update. As stated, Windows 11 will adhere to an annual feature update cadence, releasing in the second half of the calendar year.
The absence of Windows 12 this autumn is evident, with Microsoft emphasizing that Windows 11 will adhere to an annual feature update schedule, released in the latter half of the year. This marks a departure from the smaller Moments updates observed during Panay’s leadership.
The new executives leading Microsoft’s Windows division are probably concerned about increased fragmentation with another new version. Windows 10 still holds a commanding 66% market share, with Windows 11 at a mere 28%. Releasing Windows 12 in 2024 would further fragment the Windows platform, a scenario Microsoft wants to avoid.
Instead, you’ll receive brand-new AI features and the latest advancements with the Windows 11 24H2 update. The AI-powered Windows 12 desktop shell with a floating taskbar is certainly not included in the next Windows 11 update. You’ll have to wait until at least 2025 for a significant visual refresh of Windows.
By the way, the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build will be released to manufacturers (RTM) in April and will reach general availability in September or October 2024.
So, Windows 12 isn’t completely abandoned, but it won’t be arriving this year. What are your thoughts on this development? Are you disappointed by Microsoft’s decision to postpone Windows 12? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Source: WindowsCentral
