Windows 12 wasn’t mentioned at CES 2025. That’s a good thing

Microsoft is currently focusing all its efforts on Windows 11. The company not only recently called 2025 “Windows 11 PC Update YearBut this year’s CES was all about Windows 11 and the new Copilot+ PCs that Microsoft is trying to promote.

All of this may come as a surprise, as some industry insiders have speculated over the past couple of years that a new version of Windows (called “Windows 12”) could be released as early as 2024.

But now the signs look grim. It’s clear that Microsoft put all its attention into developing Windows 11 24H2, which ultimately turned out to be a large-scale update that appeared towards the end of the year.

That’s why sites like Latest version of Windows I no longer believe there are plans for Windows 12, at least for now. Too much currently depends on whether Windows PC users will upgrade to Windows 11 by October when support for Windows 10 ends – and I think that’s absolutely right for a variety of reasons.

Connected: Best Tech at CES 2025

Users don’t want to switch

Notably, Windows 11 continues to fight for recognition as the only version of Windows. Many users still prefer Windows 10, partly because Windows 11 places prohibitive hardware requirements, partly because the Windows 11 experience is less than ideal, and partly because users simply don’t like the changes.

According to StatCounterWindows 10 still holds more than 62 percent of the global desktop market, while Windows 11 lags behind with just over 34 percent share. If you still haven’t been able to convince these users to upgrade to Windows 11, what else can you do? If they are not compatible with Windows 11, why would Windows 12 be any different?

For many, Windows 10 is simply familiar. This is what they are used to. They don’t want to deal with a new interface, missing functionality, and the hassle of re-learning how to do the same thing in a different environment. And it’s so bad that many will likely stick with Windows 10 even after support ends and stop receiving security updates.

This means a serious situation for Microsoft. The company needs to make Windows 11 more attractive to get users to switch, but those same users would be less likely to do so if they knew Windows 12 was just around the corner. Therefore, the right step is to refrain and not announce it too early, or even better, to keep it secret.

Windows 11 24/7 is a complete mess

Another reason could be that Microsoft had serious problems with their huge Windows 11 update 24 hours a day. In the weeks following its release in October 2024, new reports of errors and crashes appeared with alarming frequency for users of all types of hardware.

Developers from Microsoft are clearly trying tirelessly to eliminate as many errors as possible and save the unstable operating system for users. These efforts continue to this day.

But for those not yet using Windows 11, the problematic 24/7 update is a big red flag and a microcosm of the broader Windows 11 experience. And for those who have only recently upgraded to Windows 11, this update will be an extremely negative and offensive experience.

Announcing Windows 12 so soon after the Windows 11 24H2 fiasco is sure to be poorly received by both users and critics.

AI PCs and Copilot+ need more work

We also can’t forget artificial intelligence, which has established itself as a mainstream trend over the past few years – and Microsoft is certainly no stranger to this, as it’s pushing for Copilot+ PCs even in 2025.

At CES 2025 we saw that Microsoft wants to run Copilot locally on your PCthis is just one of many steps the company is taking to embrace AI. But the truth is Copilot+ PCs are not good enough yet.

And Windows 11, of course, is closely related to all of this. Users are still skeptical of flagship AI features like Windows Recalland Microsoft still has a lot of work to do to make AI viable for users, as well as to convince users that they can benefit from the company’s AI offerings.

Until then, it seems unwise to split focus and promote Windows 12 at the same time. Doing so could be likened to standing in its own way and losing its chances of success.

For all these reasons, I think we’re unlikely to see any mention of Windows 12 this year. I also don’t expect it to happen in 2026, even if all remaining Windows users have migrated to Windows 11 by then. Too much is riding on the improvement and success of Windows 11 right now, so it would be a good idea for Microsoft to tackle something as monumental as Windows 12.

Further reading: How will NPU and Windows AI evolve in 2025?