Windows 12 has not been released, and Microsoft has not announced it, given it a release date or published system requirements. As of November 2026 the latest version of Windows is Windows 11, version 26H2. Microsoft's Windows chief said in May 2026 that its next big reveal was "not a new OS version", and the most reliable reporting points to 2027 at the earliest.
| Question | Status (November 2026) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Has Microsoft announced Windows 12? | No | Every "Windows 12" feature list online is speculation |
| Windows 12 release date | None announced; reports say not before 2027 | Do not delay a PC or licence purchase for it |
| Official Windows 12 ISO or download | Does not exist | Any "Windows 12 ISO" is fake and a malware risk |
| Windows 12 product key | Does not exist | A listing selling one is misleading |
| Latest Windows version | Windows 11, version 26H2 (build 26300) | Supported for Home and Pro until 10 October 2028 |
| Next expected platform release | Windows 11 27H2, reported for late 2027 | The name it ships under is not confirmed |
Is there a Windows 12?
No. There is no Windows 12 product, preview build, product page or upgrade programme from Microsoft. Microsoft is still developing Windows 11 through yearly feature updates: 25H2 in 2025 and 26H2 in 2026. "Windows 12" is a name the tech community uses for whatever major version comes after Windows 11, not a product that exists.
Microsoft has not said a Windows 12 will never happen either. It has simply not committed to one. Its public roadmap, its Windows Insider builds and its support documents all describe Windows 11 versions.
What we commonly see: customers asking us whether they should hold off buying a Windows 11 key "because Windows 12 is out next month". That claim has circulated every year since 2023, and each time the release that actually arrived was a Windows 11 update.
When will Windows 12 come out?
Nobody outside Microsoft knows, because Microsoft has given no date. Windows Central's Zac Bowden, citing people familiar with the roadmap, reported in March 2026 that there was no plan to ship a Windows 12 in 2026, and that if one comes it will not be before 2027. Microsoft's next platform release is reported as Windows 11 27H2 in late 2027.
A platform release is a new underlying Windows codebase, the kind of change that could, in theory, carry a new name. Whether Microsoft calls that release Windows 11 27H2 or Windows 12 is a branding decision it has not made public.
Cause and effect: Microsoft now ships new Windows features gradually through monthly updates and small yearly enablement packages. Because features no longer need a big launch to reach users, there is less pressure to release a new version number, which is a big reason the "Windows 12 next year" prediction keeps failing.
Where did the Windows 12 rumours come from?
Most Windows 12 rumours trace back to three things: an internal codename that was misread, a widely shared article that turned out to be unreliable, and Microsoft's habit of hinting at "the future of Windows". None of them was an announcement.
- "Hudson Valley" (2023–2024): widely reported as the codename for Windows 12. It became Windows 11 version 24H2, released in October 2024.
- The March 2026 "modular, AI-first Windows 12" story: a viral report claimed a 2026 launch with a subscription option. Its publisher later added an editor's note saying it did not meet its standards, and Windows Central's sources contradicted it.
- Build 2026 (June): ahead of the event, Windows chief Pavan Davuluri posted that the new announcement was "not a new OS version", as Neowin reported.
- Comments about AI and "multimodal" Windows: Microsoft executives have described where Windows is heading. These describe direction, not a release.
Advanced nuance: Insider "Future Platforms" builds with numbers above 29000 are sometimes presented as Windows 12. They are early platform builds of Windows 11 development, with no product name attached.
What is the latest version of Windows right now?
The latest version of Windows is Windows 11, version 26H2, also called the Windows 11 2026 Update. It began rolling out on 29 September 2026 and reached full availability for PCs on 24H2 and 25H2 in late October. It uses build numbers starting 26300 and is supported for Home and Pro until 10 October 2028.
| Version | Build number starts with | Released | Who gets it | Home / Pro support ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26H2 (2026 Update) | 26300 | 29 Sep 2026 | All eligible Windows 11 PCs | 10 Oct 2028 |
| 26H1 | 28000 | 10 Feb 2026 | New Snapdragon X2 PCs only | 14 Mar 2028 |
| 25H2 (2025 Update) | 26200 | 30 Sep 2025 | All eligible Windows 11 PCs | 12 Oct 2027 |
| 24H2 (2024 Update) | 26100 | 1 Oct 2024 | All eligible Windows 11 PCs | Ended 13 Oct 2026 |
| 23H2 (2023 Update) | 22631 | 31 Oct 2023 | All eligible Windows 11 PCs | Ended 11 Nov 2025 |
In other words, the newest Microsoft operating system for PCs is Windows 11, and its latest version is 26H2. There was no 25H1 release for existing PCs: Microsoft went from 24H2 straight to 25H2. On the server side, the newest Windows Server operating system is Windows Server 2025.
The build number tells you your version at a glance. If you see 10.0.22631, your PC is on 23H2, which no longer gets security updates on Home and Pro. Dates come from Microsoft's Windows 11 release information page; our Windows 11 end of support dates guide covers every version, including Enterprise and LTSC.
Windows 11 itself was first released on 5 October 2021, as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs. It is now the most widely used desktop version of Windows.
What is Windows 11 26H1, and is it Windows 12?
Windows 11 version 26H1 is not Windows 12. It is a special Windows 11 release, built on a newer codebase, that ships only on new PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processors. Microsoft says it is not offered through Windows Update and cannot be installed as an in-place update on existing PCs, and it adds no new features of its own.
26H1 exists to support new chip hardware, which is why its build numbers start at 28000. According to Microsoft's Windows IT Pro blog, 26H1 devices get the same monthly security and feature updates as other Windows 11 versions.
25H2 vs 26H1: if you already own a Windows 11 PC, you do not need 26H1 and cannot get it. Your path is 25H2 to 26H2, which installs like a normal monthly update because the versions share a servicing branch. Microsoft has also confirmed that 26H1 PCs cannot move to 26H2; they get a path to a future release instead.
Is there an official Windows 12 download or ISO?
No. Microsoft has never published a Windows 12 ISO, beta or disc image, so every "Windows 12 download", "Windows 12 ISO 64-bit" or "Windows 12 activated" file is fake. These files are usually a modified Windows 11 image with a new theme, and are a common way to spread malware, crypto-miners and password stealers.
Fake "Windows 12" images often come "pre-activated", which means activation has been tampered with using unofficial tools. We explain why that is risky in our guide to "pre-activated" Windows 11 ISOs.
The safe option is the real latest Windows: download Windows 11 from Microsoft's official Windows 11 download page, which provides the current release. Our guide to creating a Windows 11 bootable USB walks through it step by step.
What will the Windows 12 system requirements be?
Microsoft has published no Windows 12 system requirements, so any list you see is a guess. The only official requirements that apply today are Windows 11's: a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. A PC that meets these runs the latest Windows release.
One trend is real and worth knowing. Some of Windows 11's newest AI features, such as Recall, only run on Copilot+ PCs with a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 40+ TOPS. Future Windows releases may rely on NPUs for more features, but Microsoft has not said any future version will require one to install.
Not sure whether your PC qualifies today? Our Windows 11 system requirements guide shows how to check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
Will Windows 12 be a free upgrade?
Nobody can say yet, because Microsoft has not announced Windows 12 or any pricing. History is encouraging but not a promise: Windows 10 was a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users at launch, and Windows 11 has been a free upgrade for eligible, genuinely activated Windows 10 PCs since 2021.
Cause and effect: in both of those upgrades, eligibility depended on the PC already running a genuine, activated copy of Windows. An activated Windows 11 licence is therefore the best position to be in for any future upgrade, whatever it is called. An unactivated or cracked install has no upgrade entitlement at all.
The viral claim that Windows 12 would be subscription-only came from the same unreliable March 2026 report. Microsoft has announced no subscription version of consumer Windows.
Should you wait for Windows 12 or buy Windows 11 now?
Do not wait. With no Windows 12 announced and nothing expected before 2027, waiting means running an unsupported or unactivated PC for a year or more. Windows 11 version 26H2 is supported until October 2028, and a genuine Windows 11 licence keeps receiving each new version for free through Windows Update.
Who should act now:
- Windows 10 users: Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) only delay the move. See Windows 10 end of support: what to do.
- New PC builders: a self-built or refurbished PC with no licence needs one today. A genuine Windows 11 Pro key or Windows 11 Home key activates the latest release.
- Anyone seeing "Activate Windows": an unactivated install has limited personalisation and no support entitlement. Check your options in our Windows 11 licence collection.
Which edition? Home covers everyday use; Pro adds BitLocker, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V and Group Policy. Our Windows 11 Pro vs Home comparison explains the difference, and you can upgrade Home to Pro later without reinstalling.
How do you get the latest version of Windows today?
If your PC already runs genuine Windows 11, the latest version is free through Windows Update: install 26H2 when it is offered. On a new or unlicensed PC, install Windows 11 from Microsoft's official media and activate it with a genuine product key.
- Press Win + R, type
winverand press Enter to see your current version and build. - Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- If Windows 11, version 26H2 is available appears, select Download and install, then restart.
- If you are on Windows 10 or a new PC, create installation media from Microsoft's download page and install Windows 11.
- Go to Settings > System > Activation, select Change product key and enter your genuine key.
If the update is not offered or keeps failing, our Windows 11 update troubleshooting guide covers the usual causes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 12 out yet?
No. As of November 2026, Windows 12 is not out, and Microsoft has not announced it, opened a preview or set a release date. The newest release is Windows 11, version 26H2, which rolled out from 29 September 2026. Any website offering Windows 12 for download is not distributing a genuine Microsoft product.
Will there be a Windows 12?
Possibly, but Microsoft has not committed to one. Windows will keep getting new major releases, and reports point to a new platform release in late 2027, currently expected under the Windows 11 27H2 name. Whether any future version is branded Windows 12 is a decision Microsoft has not announced.
What comes after Windows 11?
For now, more Windows 11. Microsoft releases a feature update every year, so 26H2 (2026) is expected to be followed by 27H2 (2027). A renamed successor such as "Windows 12" has not been announced. Windows 13 and later version numbers seen online are pure speculation.
Can I buy a Windows 12 product key?
No. Windows 12 product keys do not exist, because Windows 12 does not exist. A listing that offers a "Windows 12 key" is misleading, and the key will usually be for Windows 10 or 11. If you need a licence now, a genuine Windows 11 key activates the current release and keeps receiving new versions through Windows Update.
Will my Windows 11 key work with Windows 12?
Microsoft has not said, because Windows 12 has not been announced. Past upgrades suggest a genuine, activated licence is the strongest position: Windows 10 PCs moved to Windows 11 at no cost. What is certain is that a Windows 11 key keeps working through every Windows 11 version, including 26H2 and later.
Related guides
- Check your Windows 11 version and update to 26H2
- Windows 11 end of support dates by version
- Windows 11 vs Windows 10: key differences
- Risks of "pre-activated" Windows 11 ISOs
Links in this guide
| Link | Type | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Version check and update guide | Internal | Find your version and move to 26H2 |
| Windows 11 end of support dates | Internal | Support dates for every version |
| Pre-activated ISO risks | Internal | Why fake Windows images are dangerous |
| Windows 11 bootable USB | Internal | Install the real latest Windows |
| Windows 11 system requirements | Internal | Check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot |
| Windows 10 end of support | Internal | Options if you are still on Windows 10 |
| Windows 11 Pro vs Home | Internal | Choose the right edition |
| Upgrade Home to Pro | Internal | Move editions without reinstalling |
| Update stuck or failed | Internal | Fix a feature update that will not install |
| Windows 11 Pro | Internal | Genuine Pro licence for the latest release |
| Windows 11 Home | Internal | Genuine Home licence for the latest release |
| Windows 11 collection | Internal | All Windows 11 editions |
| Windows 11 release information | External | Official versions, builds and dates |
| What to know about 26H1 | External | Microsoft's explanation of 26H1 |
| Windows 11 download | External | Official installation media |
| Microsoft clarifies Windows 12 rumours | External | The "not a new OS version" statement |