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
Feature not available on Windows Dev build 29576.1000
I am currently on the Windows Dev version (build 29576.1000), and the feature is not available for me. I would like to ask whether this feature can be enabled on my device, or when it will become available for this build.” (Full Screen Experience)Edge Dev on Windows - Tab sync not working
Just wondering if anyone else is seeing a bug where on Windows and Edge Dev (latest version), tab sync just says "No tabs from other devices". But if you go to Edge Stable, it does show open tabs. It also shows my recent tabs with Edge Dev on Android, so I know the sync is working, just the desktop client is not showing them. I've sent feedback for this issue but since sync is still working correctly, I am wondering if this is a UI bug.Windows 12 — Almost Ready
After a thorough analysis of build 29580, I’ve identified several indicators pointing toward the next-generation Windows experience: - the system contains new wallpapers prepared for the upcoming release - there are new UI icons and refreshed interface elements present in the build - the build includes new animations and transitions that are not used in the current Windows 11 UI - WinSxS already holds components of the new shell, which are present but not yet activated - based on Microsoft’s information published on the Build site, the new system is expected to arrive this summer, which aligns with the stabilizing nature of 29580 Overall, this build feels like the final staging phase before the new UI is enabled, with all major components already in place and waiting for activation. Official Microsoft Build Web https://build.microsoft.com/en-US/home?wt.mc_ID=msbuild26_ciarmar_corp_np_oo_dotnet_txt_bnrWindows 12 — Almost Ready for Its Big Reveal?
I’ve been testing the new build of the upcoming system for two days now, and it’s clear that Microsoft is gradually addressing several key areas: 🎧 Audio pipeline It’s finally starting to behave much more consistently. It no longer inflates as aggressively as in previous builds (where it often jumped to 8–13 GB). Crackling and robotic artifacts appear less frequently and stabilize much faster. Overall audio quality is cleaner and more natural — you no longer get the feeling that some EQ or background service is distorting the sound. ⚙️ System optimization System responsiveness, transitions, memory management, and in‑game performance have all noticeably improved. The system feels tighter, faster, and free of unnecessary stutters. 🟢 Build stability The build is now in such good shape that it could realistically be released to the public. Long‑session stability (2–3 hours and more) is excellent, with no memory leaks or CPU spikes. 🎨 New UI If you’re wondering about the new UI — it’s still locked behind cloud flags. It doesn’t activate in this build yet, even though the system already feels prepared for it.Windows 12 is no longer a thing of the future. It’s already baked into our systems.
The latest Insider builds feature the full architecture of the new system interface: the new ShellHost (a modern loader for the upcoming shell), the new KryptonShellHost (hosting the brand-new UI), an active WinUI 3 runtime, modern XAML packs, and the entire pipeline ready for deployment. All these components are already part of the OS. The UI is there — it’s just sitting behind a cloud flag, waiting to be toggled. A recent Insider build (which I won’t name here for obvious reasons) triggered another wave of rollouts. This is a clear signal that Microsoft is moving into the final stages of testing.Edge Dev Version 149.0.3984.0 (Official build) dev (64-bit) Update
Got this update on Edge Dev today, immediately thereafter its locked up my pc after it applied and i went to open a new tab (had to ctrl+alt+del and end task it) its something specific here as edge stable and beta still work. unsure what's changed or if others have the same issue? diving into logs in just a sec...
Windows 11 build 26200.8116 broke system dll crtdll.dll
Latest Windows 11 25H2 release broke this system dll by replacing it with msvcrt40.dll which isn't anywhere like it, and it broke 32 bit programs that relied on that dll to run since it is missing symbols. I couldn't find an appropriate space to report this kind of issues, since this is not user error or a configuration problem, but a bug caused by a windows update that only has meaning for developers and users which use the very few apps remaining relying on this component. If there's a better way to report this issue, let me know, but I have no direct access to a Windows 11 device so i can't use the feedback hub applicationWindows 12 Is Not a Rumor. It’s Already in Your System
The new build 29558 reveals way more than most people think. If you know where to look, you’ll see that the next Windows release is already very close. Side‑by‑Side Winners now includes new versions of core system modules Startup‑task‑data is updated across all architectures Defender and Networking UI have new branding resource packages ShellCompatibility is already using version 12.\* GDI+ and the Search engine have new generations of libraries These are not “small tweaks”. This is the groundwork for a new shell and a new UI that is already physically present in the system — just not unlocked yet. Don’t follow YouTube “tech enthusiasts” — they spread rumors and don’t know how to look for real evidence inside the system. Windows is not analyzed through thumbnails, but through the registry, WinSxS and shell layers. 😎✌️ Winners sample: offlinefiles-ui is now running on version 29558.1000. This is one of many modules that indicate the presence of a new shell layer in the system.
