Microsoft has abandoned Windows 12 and is focusing on the major Windows 11 27H2 update

Dropping Windows 12

Microsoft has abandoned plans to release a new operating system, Windows 12, and has directed all its efforts toward improving Windows 11. This was reported by Kun.uz, citing The Verge. Instead of a new version, the company is working on a major Windows 11 update with the index 27H2, which is planned to be unveiled in the fall of 2027.

What is known about the 27H2 update

The previous updates, 25H2 and 26H2, consisted of sets of small changes, whereas 27H2 will be the largest system update since 2024. According to sources, the core components of the system will be replaced or completely refreshed. Among the notable changes is a new Windows 11 wallpaper: at the Ignite conference, which will take place at the end of this month, Microsoft will show several design options, and the updated wallpapers will begin rolling out en masse in January. Visually, they resemble the current Bloom screen, but different color schemes are used for regular users and business editions. In addition, Windows will receive full support for Intel APX technology and significant performance improvements for computers with small amounts of RAM.

A change of strategy

Previously, Microsoft released new versions of Windows every three years, but with the launch of Windows 11 the company changed its business model and made the concept of 'Windows as a service' a priority — developing the system through regular updates instead of a three-year cycle. According to The Verge, Microsoft expects to win back users' trust not with a flashy new system, but through the gradual improvement of Windows 11's reliability and the quality of the user experience. Recently, the system gained the ability to pause update installation indefinitely, as well as a separate button in the power menu to shut down or restart the computer without installing updates.