Windows 12

For other uses, see Windows 12 (disambiguation).
Windows 12 (codename Hudson Valley) is the 12th major version of Windows. It was the successor to Windows 11 and the predecessor to Windows 12.1/Windows 13.
This version may focus on AI features integrated into all parts of the Windows experience, power-efficiency with energy saver improvements that can extend battery life by up to 50%, and it may get ready for Snapdragon X Elite.
== Development ==
Microsoft announced that a new major version of Windows would come after Windows 11, after support for the RTM version, 21H2. Microsoft said the version would be both a free upgrade and capable of a 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 began in February 2022, with some builds involving the Copper line of Windows 11 builds.
In May 2022, Microsoft revealed the system was codenamed Next Valley. The system began a fresher development path once the Insider Dev Channel was upgraded to its Zinc phase in November 2022 and began even cleaner development when the Insider Dev Channel was upgraded to its Gallium phase in April 2023.
In August 2023, around the same time the Germanium phase started, it was later re-codenamed Hudson Valley. Finally, after a long waiting period, the system was christened with the official name of Windows 12 on September 20, 2023.
The full name took over system-wide on March 11, 2024 with Build 24780.1000, and would later be officially released to manufacturing on September 24, 2024, with general availability arriving 4 days later.
== List of known builds ==
=== Build 24780.1000 (2024-03-11) ===
The first build for insiders was announced on 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. 
=== Build 24800.100 (2024-04-15) ===
Minor release. Correction of major bugs regarding latency issues on games and productivity applications, and other issues on older processors that were prior to the 2018 CPU release.
=== Build 24810.1000 (2024-04-26) ===
Overhauled WinPE and recovery UI based on the 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 (2024-05-12) ===
This is the last build that has an old dialer app. This build will crash on startup, you can only install it from WinPE. On the first boot, opening the start menu will cause explorer to crash. 
=== Build 24815.2 (2024-05-13) ===
This prototype was first sent to insiders as a WinPE image. Two hours later, the update to the prototype was available, which was the full installation. The image with full installation was shared 5 hours later. Opening the new dialer.exe or the UWP About Windows App crashes the system.
=== Build 24820.50 (2024-08-26) ===
Windows 12 has been announced on social media. Beta Channel insiders are now able to test the build and will receive cumulative updates until general availability. This includes the major features mentioned above and major optimizations include newer and slightly older devices.
=== Build 24820.75 (2024-09-01) ===
Cumulative update with minor fixes for Windows 12.
=== Build 24820.140 (2024-09-10) ===
Cumulative update with minor fixes for Windows 12. This would include major things seen from the Dev builds too and more.
=== Build 24820.200 (2024-09-20) ===
General Availability build of Windows 12. Computers manufactured from September 24th onwards would come preinstalled with this operating system. 
=== Build 25060.2 (2025-07-26) ===
The 2025 Update release for Windows 12. Added support for emergency alert system notifications but made them unintuitive like a normal notification. However, it also comes when you choose the do not disturb option or when full screen mode is on. Clicking on it displays the full text and metadata. AMBER alerts were not added due to being impractical, as they are not in their car.
== Gallery ==
:This article uses material from the "Windows 12" article on the WNR wiki at Fandom and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.
Category:Fictional Windows versions