Bad news for those waiting for Windows 12: Windows 11 25H2 is coming

Microsoft has indirectly put an end to the long-awaited Windows 12 rumors. The company officially announced that it will release the next major update of Windows 11, version 25H2 , later this year. In fact, this version is already available as a preview for Windows Insider users. This means that Windows 12 will not be available for a while.

According to Microsoft's Jason Leznek, the 25H2 update shares the same servicing infrastructure as 24H2, meaning that installing the update will be as easy and quick as a monthly patch, meaning a few minutes of downloading and then a reboot will get you up to speed.

As of the first preview build, there don't seem to be any noticeable new features in 25H2. It has been stated that the change notes of the new version are exactly the same as the version released in the beta channel of 24H2. However, new features will be included in the system with 25H2 over time.

Microsoft is expected to release this update to everyone just before Windows 10 ends support on October 14, 2025. The main purpose of the update is to attract users who have not yet given up on Windows 10 to Windows 11 with the new version.

According to another information provided by Leznek, 25H2 will also extend the support period for Windows 11. With the new version, corporate and education- focused versions will continue to receive updates for 35 months, while individual and Pro versions will continue to receive updates for at least 24 months.

In short, a major update will come to Windows 11 this year, but it looks like we'll have to wait at least another year for Windows 12. In fact, rumors about Windows 12 have been floating around since 2023. Some users thought that the new operating system would be announced this year and could be released right after. There was an expectation that Microsoft would make a move, especially since the Windows ecosystem has lost about 400 million users in the last three years. It seems that the company doesn't want to rush Windows 12.