Rumor has it that Windows 12 will be released this year? With AI at its core and NPU becoming the “hardware threshold”, netizens complain: “They've stuffed in everything we don't want.”

Back then, Microsoft's statement that "Windows 10 will be the last version" made many users think that Windows had entered an era of "only updates, no new generations." However, as the years passed, the reality turned out to be completely different.

After the release of Windows 11, rumors about Windows 12 have once again emerged intensively. From internal code names, code snippets, to hints from hardware manufacturers and OEM pre - launch labels, all the clues together outline an obvious trend - this won't just be a regular upgrade, but more like a platform - level reconstruction centered around AI.

More importantly, this controversy may be far greater than the one caused by TPM 2.0 back then.

Precisely targeting the exit time of Windows 10?

The most widely circulated release time for Windows 12 is this year, that is, 2026.

The industry's speculation path is quite clear: first, there will be more leaks and code references, then the Insider preview may be opened, and finally, it will be officially released and fully rolled out this year - and this time point exactly corresponds to the end of Windows 10 support in October 2026 (including the extended ESU phase).

In simple terms, the new - generation Windows 12 will precisely fall on a "passive upgrade cycle." A large number of individual and enterprise users will have to make a choice at that time: either stay on the old system and bear the risks, or enter the new platform ecosystem.

Microsoft clearly understands the strategic significance of this time node.

It's worth noting that Windows 11 won't exit immediately but will be supported in parallel for some time. Therefore, the upgrade to Windows 12 is likely to be carried out gradually rather than being force - pushed all at once. But the direction is very clear - the platform needs to be upgraded, and the architecture needs to change.

Reconstruction at the architectural level, and AI also changes from an additional feature to the system core?

According to media reports, the internal code name of Windows 12 is "Hudson Valley Next," and its core technical foundation is the CorePC modular architecture that Microsoft has polished for many years.

This is not just a simple UI update but a change in the underlying design concept. The core idea of CorePC is modularization: system components are highly isolated, the update granularity is finer, and different device forms can be customized with different versions. From lightweight tablets to high - performance desktops, they can all have a "tailored" system form.

To put it simply: low - performance devices can run a lighter core system; after the key modules are isolated, the system stability is stronger; the integration between cloud services and local capabilities is also more flexible; more importantly, this paves the way for a "local + cloud" hybrid AI architecture - Windows is no longer just a local system but a computing power scheduling and service integration platform.

If modularization is a structural upgrade, then AI is the real main line of Windows 12's transformation.

Microsoft has been promoting Microsoft Copilot in ecosystems such as Office, Edge, and developer toolchains in recent years. In Windows 12, Microsoft Copilot will no longer be just an optional assistant but a system - level core component.

Based on current leaks and analysis predictions, the AI functions of Windows 12 will comprehensively cover all aspects of the operating system: context - aware task recommendations, real - time content summaries, automatic text generation, intelligent document classification, and semantic search, etc. Users no longer need to rely on exact file names to find content but can locate files through semantic descriptions; system settings will be automatically optimized according to usage habits; the automation ability may cover the system layer.

That is to say, the interaction logic of Windows 12 will change: from menu and path - driven to search and semantic - driven.

At the same time, this AI integration is not only for office or creative scenarios but will also be extended to gaming and hardware management - Windows 12 is expected to analyze system and game performance through AI and automatically adjust resource and graphics settings, reducing the complexity of manual configuration for users.

For developers, this means deeper AI API integration and local inference support; for ordinary users, it means that the operating system will become "more proactive" - but the question is, will this "proactivity" be welcomed?

Possibly higher hardware threshold: NPU and 40 TOPS

What is more controversial than AI is the hardware requirement.

Multiple leaks mention that the full - featured Windows 12 may require a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) with a computing power of at least 40 TOPS - this clearly positions the new system as an "AI PC exclusive platform."

Currently, Intel and AMD have launched processors with integrated AI acceleration units, and many OEMs have also started to label "Windows 12 Ready." But the real problem is that a large number of currently available and even newly purchased devices do not have a dedicated NPU.

If the NPU really becomes a hard threshold, two situations may occur: either the AI functions cannot be fully enabled, or the devices will be excluded from the upgrade list.

This makes many users recall the controversy caused by the mandatory TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11 back then. A netizen said bluntly: "If the NPU is mandatory, then Windows 12 won't even run on many newly bought computers today."

In addition, the "subscription status" field that appears in the code has also sparked extensive discussions. The current reasonable judgment is that Microsoft may introduce a "premium AI service subscription layer" instead of completely abolishing the traditional one - time licensing model.

That is to say: the classic Home / Pro licenses may still be available for one - time purchase, but if you want advanced AI capabilities, cloud expansion, or a stronger computing power experience, you may need to subscribe and pay, and the linkage with Windows 365 may also be closer.

Unsolved mysteries, but users' reactions are not optimistic

Currently, Microsoft has not officially announced Windows 12. Whether the system name is finalized, whether the upgrade is free, whether Windows 10 users have a free upgrade channel, and where the subscription boundary lies have not been officially confirmed.

But it is certain that Windows is undergoing a directional change.

It is transforming from a traditional desktop operating system to a computing power platform and service distribution entry centered around AI. Whether it's the modular architecture, the NPU threshold, the system - level Copilot, or the in - depth cloud integration, these elements all point to the same goal: to reshape Windows' role in the AI era.

But as mentioned above, the problem is not whether the technology can be realized, but whether users are willing to accept it. Judging from the comments of many netizens, most people's reactions are not optimistic:

● "Oh my god, I don't want to cram so many things into one system at all."

● "Modularization? Good. Subscription model? No. AI - first? Even worse."

● "Since it's completely modular, can I uninstall the subscription module and the AI module?"

● "Microsoft simply doesn't understand what users want. When they kick my machine out of the support list, I'll install Linux."

So, what's your opinion on Windows 12? Are you looking forward to its arrival?

Reference link: https://www.pcworld.com/article/3068331/windows-12-rumors-features-pricing-everything-we-know-so-far.html

This article is from the WeChat official account "CSDN." Compiled by Zheng Liyuan. Republished by 36Kr with authorization.