Windows 12 is suddenly back in focus. Rumor has it that it will require a special chip and will be released in 2026. That’s what lies behind it.
On the one hand, we hear from many Windows users that Microsoft should leave them alone with new features and just deliver a stable operating system. On the other hand, some users are probably hoping for major Windows innovations. Because Windows 12 rumors are currently doing the rounds again.
Essentially, it is a collection of rumors about Windows 12. However, missing and insufficiently classified sources would have given the impression that they were facts. Responsible for it also translation errors be.
These points caused particular excitement:
- Windows 12 could be launched in 2026
- Windows 12 should require an NPU like today’s Copilot Plus PCs
Windows 12 not an official theme
There is one main problem with Windows 12: There is no official word from Microsoft about it yet. There is also one at CHIP Windows 12 rumor story (As of 2025). The reason: Windows 12 is a topic among users and at least the current state of affairs should be bundled in one article. Even if there is a lot of “possibly” and “could” to be read there and the following note is in the first sentence:
Windows 12 is not yet available, neither as an announcement nor as a preview or beta version.
Windows 12 currently seems very far away. Windows 11 is just starting up and is working on one Lead in market shares compared to Windows 10. The ESU program for private users will expire in the fall, so even more users will switch to Windows 11 in the next few months.
So it doesn’t seem logical to start with Windows 12 here. According to Microsoft officials, this year they want to focus on: Improve Windows 11.
When it comes to the additional chip for Windows, there is already a two-tier society. All functions are only available on Copilot Plus PCs with built-in NPU. If you don’t have them, you can only use some of the AI functions. Requiring an NPU as a hard system requirement would currently severely restrict the target group for Windows 12.
If a little more time passes, the hardware landscape will of course also look different. And if you consistently think through the idea of an AI Windows, then an NPU in the PC obviously makes sense. Whether Microsoft dares to set up an NPU as a hardware hurdle is another matter.
We will continue to investigate exciting rumors about Windows 12. In the end, what matters is what Microsoft does. And here we don’t see any start signal for Windows 12 yet.
About the Author
