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One such change is the Windows release strategy itself.
That totals 1.4 billion Windows users, with a roughly 70/30 split between platforms.
Ex-CVP of Windows & Devices, Panos Panay, is out.
Thats called fragmentation, and its something OS platform makers want to avoid.
Because of this, Microsoft knows that Windows 11 growth is slowing.
It doesnt matter how groundbreaking a potential Windows 12 is, people just dont care.
An experimental mock-up of the Windows desktop, based on real internal designs.
We know that Microsoft was experimenting with a significant desktop UX overhaul for Hudson Valley under Panay.
This doesn’t happen between different Windows product releases.
So, if Hudson Valley is Windows 12, users can refuse it forever.
They will never be forced to move to it, which obviously doesn’t help Microsoft long-term.
That includes most of Microsoft’s AI efforts, including Windows Copilot.
It wants to start treating Windows 10 and Windows 11 like a singular platform.
Many of those users ended up being uninterested in moving to anything newer for a very long time.
Now, Microsoft is at risk of doing it all again.
Could Microsoft save it all for a Windows 12 for 2025?
I think that would be a safer play for them.
But deep down, I don’t think Microsoft wants to do a Windows “12” at all.
You don’t hear about Chrome OS 12, or Chrome OS Version 2025.
If Microsoft could do that with Windows, Microsoft would never have to worry about fragmentation again.
That’s Microsoft’s dream goal, in my opinion.
Will they ever get there?
We’ll have to wait and see.
