Windows 12 Set to Launch in Late 2024, Featuring AI Capabilities

According to Windows Central, Microsoft is allegedly preparing for the release of a new version of Windows, codenamed “Hudson Valley,” which may later be marketed as Windows 12.

It is anticipated that Hudson Valley will be available on a fresh platform called Germanium, with a launch date set for the latter half of 2024. Nevertheless, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may start distributing new Arm hardware pre-installed with Germanium as soon as June 2024.

At present, the initial rendition of Hudson Valley is undergoing trial within the Windows Insider Canary Channel, while the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) variant designated for retailers is slated for release in April 2024.

The primary focus of Hudson Valley is to enhance user experience through AI-driven features such as an AI-powered Windows Shell and an “advanced Copilot” that persistently operates in the background, refining search and workflow optimization as well as implementing additional advancements.

This AI technology will be thoroughly integrated into the operating system, necessitating more potent hardware called NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for optimal performance. Nonetheless, this change might render some older computers incompatible with specific AI-driven features because of increased resource demands like processor, RAM, GPU, etc.

A new history/timeline function will also be introduced that lets users “scroll back in time through all the apps and websites that Copilot has remembered” according to the report.

Other AI-driven elements feature Super Resolution—an AI function that utilizes NPU hardware to enhance video and game quality—alongside an improved Live Captions version supporting real-time translations of certain languages and interactive AI-powered wallpapers with parallax effects.

Moreover, a dedicated “creator” section will be integrated into the Start menu and File Explorer to cater to creators. This feature aims to consolidate Microsoft 365’s creative “things” into a single convenient location, essentially functioning as a quick launcher.

At the moment, it is uncertain whether Hudson Valley represents a major Windows 11 update or the introduction of a new Windows 12 operating system. These speculations will have to be clarified through an official statement from Microsoft. Keep an eye out for updates!