Windows 12

Startup sound

Shutdown sound

Windows 12 (codenamed Hudson Valley) is the next major release of Windows after its predecessor Windows 11. It would be the final main release to use the NT Kernel, with Windows 13, its official successor, and Windows Zinc, which has no successor or pre-determined predecessor, using the Quantum kernel.

New features

New desktop interface, featuring a unified App Bar with search integration at the top of the screen and a customizable widget in the upper-left corner.
DreamScene updated and reintroduced as Live Wallpaper, with options to download new wallpapers from the Microsoft Store. The OS includes an interactive live wallpaper that responds to cursor movement.
Redesigned Setup & Recovery screen incorporating Fluent design principles.
Reintroduction of desktop widgets, separated from the taskbar as seen in Windows 11.
Certain legacy features were removed or reimplemented:
- dialer.exe replaced by a modern UWP dialer app supporting cellular-capable laptops.
- Non-UWP windows, such as Properties, Winver, and advanced configuration tools, have been integrated with Settings or redesigned for UWP consistency.
- Full replacement of the Control Panel with an enhanced Settings app that features more functionality and streamlined navigation.
- Removed legacy features can be reinstalled via the Microsoft Store.

Updated version string, moving from 10.0 to 12.0.
Windows Subsystem for Android updated to Android 15.0 "Vanilla" (from Android 14.4 "Upside Down Cake") with optional Google apps support.
Copilot AI deeply integrated, now able to access app and user content, with Copilot+ accessible on non-ARM PCs via cloud support. Enhanced voice control similar to early Windows 10 Cortana, allowing tasks like adjusting settings, changing wallpapers, and powering off the system.
Floating taskbar, with a design inspired by the macOS dock.

Development

Microsoft announced that a newer major version of Windows would come after Windows 11 after the support for the RTM version 21H2; said version would be both free upgrade and capable of fresh installation like Windows 11. The first versions would be available to be tested via the Windows Insider Program as an upgrade from Windows 11 if the device was compatible. Development likely began in early 2022, perhaps involving the Copper builds of Windows 11.

List of known builds

Build 260212.1000 (2023-11-02)

This build accidentally got unveiled during the 7 first seconds of the Ignite 2023 conference due to the host still being on the desktop. Due to it’s earliness it still identifies as Windows 11 but it’s interface is very similar to Windows 12 final release.

Build 261212.1000 (2025-03-11)

After a 1-year delay, the first public build for Windows Insiders would be announced in the Windows Insider blog page, announcing Windows 12 and what it could become in the future. This became the earliest build of the Insider program. It is the first build to idenifiy as Windows 12.

Build 24800.1000 (2025-04-15)

Minor release. Correction of major bugs regarding latency issues on games and productivity applications, and other issues on older processors that were prior to 2018 CPU releases.

Build 24810.1000 (2025-04-26)

Overhauled WinPE and recovery UI based from Fluent design language seen on Windows 12. Further optimization was made for older devices to run animated wallpapers in the background without disturbing gaming/application performance.

Build 24815.1 (2025-05-12)

This is the last build that has old dialer app. This build is unstable and will crash on startup, and you can only install it from WinPE. On the first boot after the OOBE, opening the Start menu will cause Explorer to crash.

Build 24815.2 (2025-05-13)

This build was first sent to insiders as a WinPE image at first. 2 hours later, an update to the build that was a full Windows 12 installation was available. A Windows 12 disk image was shared 5 hours later. Opening the new Phone app or the UWP About Windows App causes an unhandled exception that crashes the OS.

Build 24820.50 (2025-08-26)

Windows 12 is publicly announced. Beta Channel insiders are now able to test a build that will receive cumulative updates until general availability. The build includes the major features mentioned above and major optimizations with newer and slightly older devices.

Build 24820.75 (2025-09-01)

Cumulative update with minor fixes for Windows 12.

Build 24820.140 (2025-09-10)

Cumulative update with minor fixes for Windows 12. This would include major things seen from the Dev builds too and more.

Build 24820.200 (2025-09-28)

General Availability build of Windows 12. Computers manufactured from the date onwards would come preinstalled with this operating system.

Build 25060.2 (2026-07-26)

Added support for Emergency Alert System notifications as normal system notifications that will also show when Do Not Disturb is on or the system is in Sleep Mode. Clicking on it displays the full text and metadata.

Build 25065.1 (2027-06-27)

Another small update, with minor fixes for Windows 12. The Emergency Alert System has a new notification sound, the critical sound alert that pops up in a full window.