Microsoft curbs expectations: No Windows 12, but new PCs in sight

No Windows 12 on the way: Microsoft is dampening expectations ahead of Build and Computex – instead, the focus is on a “new era of the PC” with fresh hardware. The rumors are now being fueled on Platform X.

No Windows 12, but a new generation of PCs announced

The rumor mill about a possible Windows 12 has been bubbling for months – but shortly before the important developer and hardware events next week, Microsoft is now providing clarity. Anyone who was hoping for the introduction of a new operating system will be disappointed: a successor to Windows 11 is not on the agenda for the time being. Instead, the group is focusing on a different development. Pavan Davuluri, head of the Windows and Devices division, indicated in an initial outlook that Microsoft wants to focus primarily on software improvements and new hardware at the Build 2026 developer conference. There was deliberately no mention of a completely new Windows.

New era of the PC

At the same time, Microsoft is heating up expectations with another note: On the official Windows channel there is talk of a “new era of the PC” the speech. The Taipei Music Center is named as the location – a clear pointer towards Computex, one of the world’s most important trade fairs for computer hardware. In fact, there is much to suggest that new devices will be the focus. At the beginning of May, Microsoft presented new Surface models for business customers, equipped with Intel’s current Core Ultra 300 series. New devices are expected for private customers this year. The current Surface models with Snapdragon X1 chips are now around two years old – a generational change seems overdue. The competition is also getting into position. The first PCs with Snapdragon X2 processors are in the starting blocks, while Nvidia is apparently also preparing to enter the CPU market. Industry observers are therefore expecting a whole series of hardware announcements in the coming days.

Improvements for Windows 11

When it comes to the operating system itself, however, Microsoft is pursuing a different strategy. Instead of releasing a new version of Windows, the company is working intensively on improvements for Windows 11. These include, among other things, a more flexible taskbar, expanded customization options in the Start menu, optimizations for updates and performance improvements such as a new low-latency mode. With Windows 11 approaching its fifth anniversary, a successor would certainly be conceivable. But Microsoft is apparently focusing on further developing the existing platform – and thus specifically eliminating existing weaknesses, rather than attempting a complete restart.