A Vision for Windows 12: Familiar Power Meets Modern Innovation

Dear Microsoft Windows Development Team and Community Hub,

With the inevitable speculation around Windows 12, I wanted to share a comprehensive vision for the next iteration of Windows. The goal is to blend the best elements of past versions with modern needs, creating a truly powerful and personalizable operating system. Here’s what many users like myself are hoping to see:

1. A Revitalized Start Menu & Screen

Fresh, Resizable Layout: A clearly divided Start Menu with dedicated zones: Account Area (top-left), Shortcut Area (far left for common folders), List Area (pinned, most-used, and suggested apps), and a Pinned Tiles Area (right side, four-column layout). It should be resizable by dragging its edges.
Full-Screen Start Screen Option: A return of the full-screen Start that combines the easy-to-browse list from Windows 7 with the dynamic Windows 8.1-style Live Tiles, supporting both horizontal and vertical arrangements.
Enhanced Tile Flexibility: Tiles in five sizes (small, medium, long, wide, large, tall) with smooth resizing animations. New customization options should include colorful, gradient, light, dark, transparent, and semi-transparent tones.
Migration Friendly: When upgrading from Windows 7, 8.1, 10, or 11, all pinned apps and websites should automatically migrate.
Copilot Integration: A dedicated, prominent Copilot Tile to highlight the AI assistant's role, perhaps with a new rainbow effect for visual flair.

2. A More Functional Taskbar & Search

Comprehensive Taskbar: Featuring the Cortana icon, mobile devices, Start, Search, Task View, Chat, applications, and the system tray.
Prominent Search Box: The search box should be more prominent, changing from a circle to a rectangular shape, serving as a stronger entry point.
Flexible Search Menu: The search interface should be highly adjustable and consistent with the new Start menu's style.

3. Personalized User Experience

Lock Screen Customization: Options for left or center-aligned date and time. New photo effects that highlight the main subject, allowing it to overlay the time.
Windows Hello: Facial recognition that works while wearing a mask.
Enhanced Widgets:
- Desktop Pinning: Widgets should be pinnable anywhere on the desktop, not just in a sidebar.
- Full-Screen Widgets Board: A full-screen mode with a widget panel on the left and news/feeds on the right, supporting up to six columns.
- New Widgets: Introduction of a 'Calendar', 'People', 'Microsoft Edge', 'Cortana Suggestions', and a dedicated 'Microsoft Store' widget.

4. Peak Productivity & Multitasking

Task View & Virtual Desktops: A return to the mature Windows 10 experience, allowing windows to be dragged directly to other desktops in Task View.
Timeline Returns: The Timeline feature should come back, including cross-device history.
Classic Alt+Tab: The Windows 10 Alt+Tab window switcher experience should be restored.
Supercharged Snap Assist: Enhanced Snap Layouts supporting up to 8 segments for large screens, with specific, intelligent layouts for ultrawide (21:9, 32:9) monitors.

5. Application & Ecosystem Evolution

App Updates: New versions of Mail, Calendar, and People. The new Outlook app should fully support popular third-party email services like QQ, 163, and 126.
A New Cortana: Multilingual support with the return of consumer skills (music control, smart home, third-party skills). It could be offered in two visual forms and power the 'Cortana Suggestions' widget.
Screenshot Tool Upgrade: Should support full-screen recording.
Media Player: The return of an appearance selector and support for live tiles.
Microsoft Store Revamp:
- UWP Return: High-quality UWP and classic Metro apps should return to the store, with PWAs transitioning to UWP.
- Gaming Expansion: Addition of dedicated PlayStation and Nintendo Switch apps, including a Nintendo game section.

6. Visual & Nostalgic Enhancements

Refined Aesthetics: Improved window transparency with a new glass effect, rounded rectangle system avatars, and a new top bar (weather, system tray, time). Dynamic wallpaper effects would be a welcome addition.
Keep the Win11 Sound: The Windows 11 startup sound is great and should be retained.
The "Bold Strategy" – Legacy Feature Return: To satisfy power users and nostalgia, consider the large-scale return of beloved features like MSN apps, Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets, Windows Media Center, Groove Music, HomeGroup, a significantly enhanced Tablet Mode, and Windows Ink Workspace.

7. Hardware, Compatibility & Core System

Broad Controller Support: Native compatibility with DualShock 4/5, Joy-Con, and others.
Android Subsystem (WSA) Return: WSA should return with a focus on fixing previous pain points, especially full-screen landscape app support.
Separated Notification Center: The Notification Center and Calendar quick actions should be separated for a cleaner interface.
"Next-Gen PC" Promise: Windows 12 should deliver on larger storage, longer battery life, more power, and enhanced security/stability.
Enhanced Backup & Transfer: Windows Backup should expand to more regions and add support for backing up personal files and apps to external drives, including migration from old PCs or to new hard drives.

8. Core Versioning & Hardware Requirements

A Fresh Start: Version 26H1, with an internal OS version reset to 12.0.0.0.
Tiered Editions: Windows 12e (for education, 2GB RAM), Windows 12 (mainstream, 4GB RAM, removing strict TPM restrictions), and Windows 12 Ultra (flagship, 8GB RAM, unlocking all AI and performance features).
Extensive Free Upgrade Path: A critical strategy, offering free upgrades from Windows 11 (including SE), Windows 10 (including S), Windows 8/8.1 (including RT), and Windows 7.
Doubled Support Lifecycle:
- Home/Pro/Workstation: 24 months → 48 months.
- Enterprise/Education/IoT: 36 months → 72 months.

In summary, we envision a Windows 12 that isn't afraid to learn from its rich history while pushing forward with modern innovation. It should be a system that respects user choice, empowers productivity, and welcomes everyone from legacy users to those with the latest hardware.

If you like this vision and want to support it, you can upvote it here: https://aka.ms/AAylqhw

Thank you for considering this feedback.

Sincerely,

A Passionate Windows User