Revised Full User Vision for Next-Generation Windows 27H2 (OS 12.0.0.0)

Dear Microsoft Windows Product & Engineering Team,

As an active Windows Insider and long-time ecosystem follower, I am submitting this revised, fully detailed user vision for the next-generation Windows operating system. This proposal is built in full recognition that the ongoing global shortages of DDR4, DDR5, SSDs, CPUs and graphics cards are reshaping current Windows development priorities. Instead of pushing for higher unnecessary hardware thresholds, this blueprint is designed to deliver a more powerful, human-friendly system that runs smoothly on both legacy existing devices and upcoming new hardware, while respecting the workflow habits of hundreds of millions of long-time Windows users.

Below is the complete structured vision covering interface design, interaction logic, app ecosystem, AI capabilities and full upgrade strategies:

1. ‌Redesigned "Start" Menu‌
   • Clear 4-zone structural innovation: User account anchored at top-left, far-left quick access bar for frequent folders, left app list (with "Most Used" and "Suggested" categories, supporting pinned apps), and the right fixed tile area that can hold up to 4 medium tiles or 8 small tiles horizontally.
   • New rainbow glow effect added, with draggable tile edges for free resizing.
   • Full-screen Start Screen returns, combining the easy-to-navigate traditional Windows 7 app list and information-rich Windows 8.1 live tiles, with tiles supporting both horizontal and vertical arrangement.
   • 6 exclusive tile sizes available: Small (1×1), Medium (2×2), Long (4×1), Wide (4×2), Large (4×4), Tall (4×6), paired with smooth new tile resizing animations.
   • Highly customizable tile styles: Solid color, gradient, light mode, dark mode, transparent (default) and semi-transparent tones.
   • Full migration compatibility: All pinned apps and websites from Windows 7, 8.1, 10 and 11 will be automatically preserved during system upgrades.
2. ‌Taskbar and New Top Status Bar‌
   • Dual-style taskbar: Users can freely switch between Floating (suspended) and Docked (fixed) layouts.
   • Reorganized zones: Left side for system entries (Cortana, mobile device management, Search), middle section for Start button, Search, Task View, Timeline, Chat and running apps, right side for system tray and notification area.
   • Resizable rectangular search box replaces the current circular design.
   • New top status bar integrated with real-time weather, streamlined system tray, date and time display.
   • Scene-adaptive behavior: When a window is maximized or snapped, the top bar auto-hides, and the bottom taskbar retains only simplified information (weather, time, notifications) to enter full focus mode.
3. ‌Search Menu‌
   The search menu supports free height adjustment, maintaining a fully consistent visual style with the redesigned Start Menu.
4. ‌Personalized Lock Screen‌
   • Date and time alignment offers two selectable options: left-aligned and center-aligned.
   • New photo layering effect: The main subject of the lock screen photo can be displayed in front of the time text.
   • Windows Hello face recognition adds native support for reliable login while wearing a face mask.
5. ‌Widget System‌
   • All widgets can be pinned directly to the desktop.
   • In full-screen mode, the interface is split into the left widget display area and the right information source area, supporting up to 6 vertical columns of content.
   • New exclusive widgets: Schedule widget, People widget, Microsoft Edge widget, and Cortana Suggestions widget.
6. ‌Full Application Ecosystem Refresh‌
   • The new Mail, Calendar and People apps are fully redesigned.
   • The new Outlook app adds native support for QQ Mail and NetEase Free Mail.
   • The new Cortana app supports multiple languages, brings back full consumer skills including music control, connected smart home device management and third-party skill extensions, with two visual forms available: "Circle" and "Dough", paired with the exclusive Cortana Suggestions widget.
7. ‌Task View and Window Management‌
   • The classic Windows 10 Task View experience is fully restored, with the Timeline feature making a return to support cross-device operation history sync.
   • Enhanced drag-and-drop interaction: Users can drag a window to the Task View icon and assign it to multiple virtual desktops; users can also drag files or text directly to background apps on the taskbar, and transfer content across different windows seamlessly.
   • The classic Windows 10 window switching experience is brought back in full.
   • The Snap Assistant restores the classic Windows 10 window snapping experience, and is optimized for multiple horizontal snap layouts on 21:9 and 32:9 ultra-wide monitors.
8. ‌Microsoft Store Innovation‌
   • The store introduces brand-new Fluent Design applications, multiple classic UWP apps are re-launched, and Metro-style apps make a long-awaited return.
   • All Progressive Web Apps (PWA) in the existing Microsoft Store are migrated to the UWP application system.
   • New exclusive sections are added: the PlayStation app, the Nintendo Switch app and a dedicated Nintendo game zone, paired with the exclusive Microsoft Store widget.
9. ‌Beloved Classic Features Restored‌
   We bring back the fan-favorite features from previous Windows versions: Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets (for real-time information display), the full MSN app suite, Tips app, Maps app, Microsoft Edge Legacy, cross-device Timeline, HomeGroup, Desktop Messaging app, Windows Media Center (for home entertainment), the new Groove Music, and all native Windows 8.1 classic apps.
10. ‌Other Detail Optimizations‌
    • The iconic Windows 11 startup sound is fully retained.
    • System avatars are adjusted from circular shapes to rounded rectangles.
    • The Windows Subsystem for Android makes a return, with native full-screen support for landscape Android apps.
    • Native controller compatibility is added for DualShock 4, DualShock 5, Joy-Con and Joy-Con 2.
    • The Notification Center and Calendar flyout controls are fully separated.
    • Window transparency effects are upgraded, with a brand-new liquid glass effect added.
11. ‌Next-Generation Windows 12 PCs and Tablets‌
    The new Windows 12 hardware lineup will deliver doubled memory, larger storage space, longer battery life, stronger performance and enhanced system security and stability.
12. ‌Backup and Data Transfer‌
    • Windows Backup is expanded to more countries and regions, adding native support for backing up personal files and installed apps directly to external storage devices.
    • One-click data transfer is supported: users can fully move personal files and installed apps from an old PC to a new device, or transfer data to a new hard drive via partition migration.
13. ‌AI Capabilities‌
    The system is built with cutting-edge AI features including context-aware AI and Agentic mode, with more practical AI experiences waiting to be explored.
14. ‌Version and Upgrade Strategy‌
    • Launch build number: 27H2, with the internal OS version reset to 12.0.0.0.
    • Free upgrade coverage: All devices running Windows 11 (including SE), Windows 10 (including S), Windows 8/8.1 (including RT) and Windows 7 can upgrade to Windows 12 / 12e completely for free.
    • Hardware requirements by edition:
      • For Home, Pro and Pro Workstation editions: All previous strict hardware restrictions are removed, with minimum requirements of 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD and DirectX 11 or higher.
      • For Windows 12e (Lite edition): Minimum requirements of 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, to support entry-level legacy devices.
      • For Windows 12 Ultra (Flagship edition): Minimum requirements of 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, NPU support, TPM 2.0 and DirectX 12 or higher, for high-end productivity devices.
15. ‌Extended Lifecycle Support‌
    • For Home, Pro and Pro Workstation editions: Official support period is extended from 2 years to 4 years.
    • For Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions: Official support period is extended from 3 years to 6 years.

This full proposal is designed to align perfectly with the current hardware supply reality, ensuring the new system can run smoothly on billions of existing Windows devices while delivering modern, innovative experiences. I hope this user-centric vision can provide valuable reference for your team's next-generation Windows development planning.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
A Dedicated Windows Insider & User