Microsoft's new development cycle hints at a Windows 12 release in 2024

pcgamer.com:

Microsoft is yet again shaking up its Windows update cadence. The company had promised massive feature updates once a year(opens in new tab) just last year. It is now being suggested that Windows will get a major release every three years instead with smaller seasonal feature updates throughout the year (via Windows Central(opens in new tab)). That may mean Windows 12 is that next major release.

The next major release is reportedly scheduled for 2024, three years after Windows 11 first launched. 

Even though Microsoft is switching to a three-year schedule for major releases, it still intends to increase the number of smaller updates throughout the year in what Microsoft is apparently calling «Moments» internally. 

These Moments will be the seasonal updates, and will enable Microsoft to still ship new features into its current version of Windows without having to wait around for one tentpole yearly update. Though, historically, those feature updates haven't been without problems.

In our review of Windows 11, one of our major criticisms was that its launch seems rushed, with various features that were oddly left out and a predictable host of bugs and issues. Thankfully, you can roll back to Windows 10 if you were one of the brave souls who wanted to try Windows 11 for free. 

Windows 11 review(opens in new tab): What we think of the new OSHow to install Windows 11(opens in new tab): Safe and secure installWhat you need to know before upgrading(opens in new tab): Things to note before downloading the latest OSWindows 11 TPM requirements(opens in new tab): Microsoft's strict security policy

Unfortunately, the new roadmap means that the 2023 release client update for Windows, aka  Sun Valley 3, has been put on the back burner