For weeks, new rumors have been circulating about a Windows 11 successor. Codename "Hudson Valley Next", "CorePC" architecture, AI at its core – and an allegedly approaching release. We've sorted through the sources and show what's reliable and what remains speculation.
Summary for the impatient
- Microsoft has not officially announced Windows 12 yet.
- A PCWorld article that suggested a 2026 release was corrected by the editorial team itself as a faulty translation from its German sister site PC-Welt.
- Industry observers such as Windows Central consider 2026 unlikely and predict 2027.
- Windows 11 continues to receive updates – support is guaranteed at least until 2030.
- Neither Microsoft nor the user is in a hurry.
How the "Windows 12 in 2026" hype started
In early March 2026, PCWorld reported that Windows 12, codenamed "Hudson Valley Next", would be released that same year – with deep AI integration and a modular CorePC architecture. Other tech media picked up the news because it appeared to be an original report: without source references, without links.
In fact, it was a translation of a German PC-Welt article, published without any indication of the original source. After criticism, PCWorld added an unusually open Editor's Note: The article "did not meet PCWorld's standards" and should not have been published. Neowin and other industry magazines made the incident public.
The actual substance behind the report: old rumors, leaks, and statements from hardware partners, summarized anew – no more and no less.
What Microsoft has actually said
In a Microsoft Learn post from February 2026, the company clarifies: There is no official announcement of Windows 12. Instead, Windows chief Pavan Davuluri speaks in interviews about the gradual evolution of Windows 11 – with ever deeper Copilot integration and "Continuous Innovation" updates instead of major version jumps.
Microsoft's current focus is clearly on stabilizing Windows 11 and equipping it with AI features, rather than pushing a new version number.
What's behind the term "Hudson Valley Next"
"Hudson Valley" and "Germanium" are internal Microsoft codenames that have appeared in leaked build references. However, they do not necessarily indicate a new Windows 12 – but can also appear as platform updates within Windows 11.
What seems technically planned behind the codenames:
- CorePC architecture: Modular design, configured differently depending on the device (desktop, tablet, thin laptop). Separation between operating system core, apps, and user data.
- State Separation: If one part of the system crashes, the rest should continue to run unaffected – no more classic blue screens.
- Deeper AI integration: Copilot is to evolve from an add-on to a central system component. Context-based suggestions, semantic search, automatic content categorization.
When these components will land in a product called "Windows 12" or continue to be distributed as Windows 11 updates is unclear.
Hardware: Will you need a new PC soon?
Several leaks suggest that an upcoming Windows generation could require an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) with at least 40 TOPS of computing power – i.e., a dedicated AI chip, as built into "Copilot+ PCs".
What this means in practice:
- Current standard PCs without an NPU will likely receive a limited version.
- Full AI functionality is reserved for devices with Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra Series 2, or AMD Ryzen AI.
- If you buy a PC today and want to use it for a longer time, you should pay attention to NPU support.
However, none of this has been confirmed yet.
What does this mean for you as a Windows 11 user?
Three things are pretty certain:
- No pressure to switch. Microsoft will provide updates for Windows 11 until at least 2030. Anyone on Windows 11 today has years of time.
- Windows 10 is expiring. Regular support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025. Private users can register for free ESU (Extended Security Updates) which run until October 2026. After that, Windows 10 will become a security risk.
- Upgrading to Windows 11 is worthwhile now. Anyone who has not yet migrated from Windows 10 should do so in the coming months – regardless of whether Windows 12 comes or not.
Windows 11 Pro: What are the advantages of the professional version?
Anyone still working with Windows 11 Home or an older version is missing out on important features that are useful for power users and small businesses:
- BitLocker encryption for entire drives
- Hyper-V for virtual machines
- Remote Desktop Server (incoming connections)
- Group Policies and domain integration
- Windows Sandbox for securely testing suspicious software
You can get Windows 11 Pro for 29.99 Euros from us – a fair upgrade for anyone who wants to get more out of their PC.
Conclusion: Wait and see
Windows 12 is not yet a reality, but a collection of codenames, leaks, and occasionally overzealous reporting. If you use Windows 11, you can relax. If you're still on Windows 10, you should upgrade soon, regardless of Windows 12.
We will continue to monitor developments and report back as soon as Microsoft announces something concrete.
Sources and further reading:
- Neowin: PCWorld corrects Windows 12 report
- PCWorld: Windows 12 rumors, features, pricing
- Notebookcheck: Windows 12 release date and AI features
- Microsoft Learn (February 2026): No official Windows 12 announcement
