Windows 12 will be a free upgrade, no subscription required

Microsoft is not available for subscription-based versions of Windows 12, and you won't be charged for it. People are still talking about Windows 12 being subscription-based, a rumor based on a string of code in a Windows 11 preview build.

Some people are still wondering how Microsoft plans to make their next version of Windows a subscription model. It turns out that the rumor discussed by some media outlets was an "IoT Enterprise Subscription" based on Windows 11, not Windows vNext. For those who don’t know, Windows 24H2 or Windows vNext is the public name for Windows 12.

Some media are confusing IoT Enterprise subscriptions for Windows 11 with Windows 12

As shown in the screenshot above, the "Subscription" code in the preview build The string is associated with the new enterprise version of Windows 11 IoT and has nothing to do with Windows 12 or future versions of the operating system.

Microsoft has never made any Windows subscription-based client releases, and we don't think they ever will. What may happen is that Windows 365 may get a consumer version, as we previously reported.

Since Windows 11 is still under active development, Microsoft has not yet confirmed the existence of Windows 12. We have bits and pieces and a few random rumors going on, but the next version of Windows won't be coming in 2024.

Windows 12, what we know

As far as we know, the next version of Windows will be highly integrated with AI and cloud capabilities. It will likely compete with Google's Chrome OS and be web-based. Our sources also claim that Microsoft is working on a new variant of Windows 12 that will be very lightweight, web and cloud-based.

Windows 10X is Microsoft’s previous attempt at a lightweight competitor to Chrome OS, but failed. Microsoft hopes to succeed this time, and the company has established a dedicated group, "Windows and Web Experience." Signs from various job listings imply the integration of on-premises and cloud-based capabilities.

Image courtesy: Microsoft

With the success of Bing Chat, the next version of the operating system will rely heavily on Microsoft's newfound AI capabilities.

We've heard about Windows CorePC's plans in full development to make the operating system modular.

With support for Windows 10 ending in 2025, it would be wise for Microsoft to introduce a new version of the operating system so that people with older computers can switch to newer ones. Coupled with PC manufacturers' push to sell new devices, we may see Windows 12 have strict system requirements.

As always, these remain rumors until confirmed by Microsoft. So take anything you hear about the next version of Windows with a grain of salt.

Currently, there's one thing we're sure of: Windows 12 (or whatever it's called) won't be subscription-based.

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