Windows 12 Will Focus On Security And AI: Report
Windows 12 Will Focus On Security And AI: Report
The CorePC initiative will try to do what Windows 8 couldn’t – cross-device universal support.
Reports from Windows Central has pointed out that Microsoft is working on the next version of Windows. It’s not technically named ‘Windows 12’ just yet – so far it’s referred by the name ‘CorePC’. The project is aiming to enable better device scaling (for different kinds of hardware), all while supporting legacy win32 apps (think *.exe or x86-based files).
This isn’t the first attempt from Microsoft – in fact, Windows 8 is what Microsoft originally envisioned what a universal compatibility would look like for various devices. However, UWP (Universal Windows Platform) has largely failed to gain any foothold against the decades-long win32 based apps, and subsequent attempts at ‘Core OS’ (Windows 10X) has also been cancelled (though elements of it made its way into Windows 11).
So if you can’t beat them, why not join them? That’s what Microsoft is doing right now: a new attempt in modernize Windows, while still maintaining native compatibility support for the older app standards. The modularity aspects of the project will also allow the company to scale the OS up for full-fledge PCs, while devices such as low-power tablets can cut down some fat and still runs sufficiently for basic tasks. Think of it like Android and it’s ‘Go’ version that runs on entry-level hardware.
Another part of the modularity will also allow partitioning of certain OS components, and allow for faster updates. CorePC will split the OS into multiple partitions, so in the event of a new update, only that component gets changed – which should decrease the chances of bugs and system downtime. Sources told Windows Central that Microsoft is aiming to compete against Google’s Chromebook – known for its lightweight OS footprint which makes it ideal for education PCs.
A compatibility layer, codenamed ‘Neon’ is also being worked on to enable legacy app support; and the OS is ‘silicon-optimized’ to reduce legacy overhead. AI integration is the next big thing, with Windows possibly getting features such as context suggestions, smart image cropping and more. Some features may require a dedicated AI chip – think of NPUs on smartphones, which AMD has built one right into its latest Ryzen 7040 series APUs. Windows 12 should launch in 2024 as the next major iteration over Windows 11, which would be 3 years old by then.
Source: Windows Central
Pokdepinion: I kind of realized how much Windows has actually lagged behind in terms of AI-based features. Good thing they’re catching up then.
