Windows 12 Release Date, Features, System Requirements & Full Review (2026)

Windows 12 has officially launched, and it is the most significant Microsoft operating system release since Windows 7 redefined the desktop in 2009. Built around three pillars — a native AI runtime, a cloud-first architecture, and a rebuilt performance kernel — Windows 12 turns every PC into an intelligent, always-updated device that competes head-to-head with macOS 16, Chrome OS Flex, and even the AI features previewed in the iPhone 18 Pro and iOS 26.

If you own a Windows 11 laptop, the upgrade is free and rolls out globally over the next 60 days. Here is the complete breakdown of every new feature, the real-world performance gains, the AI Copilot integration, hardware requirements, and how Windows 12 compares against macOS 16 Tahoe and ChromeOS 128.

Windows 12 release date and rollout timeline

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Microsoft officially launched Windows 12 (version 25H2, build 27000) on July 17, 2026, after nearly three years of development under the internal codename "Hudson Valley." The rollout is phased: Copilot+ PCs and Surface devices receive the update first, followed by all eligible Windows 11 machines through Windows Update between August and October 2026. Enterprise customers get access via Windows Update for Business and the Volume Licensing Service Center on the same day.

The upgrade is 100% free for every Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education license. There is no reinstallation required — the update preserves apps, files, and settings.

What is new in Windows 12: the top 15 features

1. Copilot is now the operating system

Copilot is no longer a sidebar app. In Windows 12 it is a first-class system service that runs locally on Copilot+ PCs (Snapdragon X Elite, Intel Core Ultra 200V, AMD Ryzen AI 300) and falls back to the cloud on older hardware. Press Win+C anywhere to open a system-wide command palette that can rename files, summarize documents, translate selected text, generate images, and control Settings using natural language.

2. AI Explorer and semantic file search

The new AI Explorer indexes every document, screenshot, email, and browser tab locally using an on-device embedding model. You can search by meaning — "the PDF about my Q3 budget from March" — instead of exact filenames. All indexing happens on-device; nothing leaves the PC unless you enable cloud sync.

3. Cloud PC and Windows 365 Boot

Every Windows 12 device can boot directly into a Windows 365 Cloud PC instead of the local install. This makes shared workstations, kiosks, and BYOD scenarios trivial to manage for IT teams and dramatically improves security for hybrid workers.

4. Rebuilt performance kernel

Microsoft rewrote large parts of the scheduler and I/O stack. Cold boot times are cut roughly in half on NVMe systems (14 seconds down to 7 on a Surface Laptop 7). Battery life on Copilot+ PCs is up 25% under typical workloads. Even 5-year-old Windows 11 machines see a 10 to 15% responsiveness boost.

5. New Start menu and taskbar

The Start menu returns to a fully customizable, resizable panel with pinned apps, recent files, and a live AI suggestions row. The taskbar is now floating by default with rounded corners and supports vertical placement on the left or right — a first for modern Windows.

6. Native passkey and passwordless sign-in

Windows Hello now stores FIDO2 passkeys in a hardware-backed enclave and syncs them across your Microsoft account. You can sign in to Google, Amazon, GitHub, and 400+ sites without a password.

7. Redesigned Settings app

Settings has been rebuilt from scratch in WinUI 3 with a Copilot search bar at the top. Ask "how do I extend my display" and it opens the exact page and highlights the control.

8. Native RAR, 7-Zip, and TAR support

File Explorer finally opens RAR, 7z, TAR, and GZ archives without third-party tools, and can create them too.

9. Sudo for Windows, WSL 3, and DirectX 13

Developers get an official sudo command, WSL 3 with GPU passthrough for local AI training, and DirectX 13 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing improvements that benefit upcoming titles like Bethesda Fallout 5 and GTA VI.

10. New Photos, Notepad, and Paint

Photos gets generative fill and object removal. Paint gets layer support and Cocreator. Notepad gets AI-powered summarize and rewrite.

11. Adaptive power and thermal management

A new AI-driven power engine learns your usage patterns and switches performance profiles automatically. Games get maximum performance; email gets minimum draw.

12. Universal Print and mobile projection

Any Windows 12 PC can project to any TV or another PC over Wi-Fi with sub-30ms latency using the new Miracast 3 stack.

13. Enhanced security by default

Smart App Control is on for all fresh installs. VBS, HVCI, and Credential Guard are enabled by default on every Copilot+ PC.

14. Native RGB lighting control

Windows 12 talks directly to Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and ASUS RGB devices — no vendor bloatware required.

15. Redesigned Widgets and lock screen

Widgets get a full-screen dashboard mode. The lock screen supports live weather, calendar, and Copilot answers.

Windows 12 system requirements

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Microsoft kept requirements almost identical to Windows 11: 64-bit dual-core CPU on the compatibility list, 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended), 64 GB storage, TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, and DirectX 12 capable GPU. To unlock the full Copilot+ experience with on-device AI, you need an NPU rated at 40 TOPS or higher — meaning Snapdragon X Elite, Intel Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake), or AMD Ryzen AI 300 (Strix Point).

Older Windows 11 devices without a qualifying NPU still get every non-AI feature and cloud-based Copilot.

Windows 12 vs macOS 16 Tahoe vs ChromeOS 128

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Apple macOS 16 Tahoe leans heavily on Apple Intelligence and tighter iPhone 18 Pro integration, but stays locked to Apple hardware. ChromeOS 128 adds Gemini Nano on-device but remains browser-first. Windows 12 is the only major desktop OS that runs full local LLMs, legacy Win32 apps, Android apps via WSA 2, and Linux workloads via WSL 3 on the same machine. For developers, gamers, and enterprise IT, Windows 12 is the most flexible option shipping in 2026.

Windows 12 for gamers: DirectX 13, Auto SR, and Fallout 5 readiness

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Windows 12 introduces DirectX 13, Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) for any DX11/DX12 game on Copilot+ PCs, and a rewritten DirectStorage 2 pipeline that halves load times on NVMe SSDs. This matters right now: Bethesda Fallout 5 (announced this week) and the GTA VI PC port are both targeting Windows 12 as their lead platform. Xbox Game Pass on PC gets a native Windows 12 client with cloud saves synced through your Microsoft account.

How to upgrade to Windows 12 today

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1. Open Settings then Windows Update then Check for updates.
2. If eligible, "Upgrade to Windows 12" appears as an optional download.
3. Back up your files with OneDrive or File History before installing.
4. The upgrade takes 20 to 45 minutes and preserves all apps and files.

If the update does not appear yet, wait for your device to be included in the phased rollout, or grab the Windows 12 Installation Assistant from microsoft.com/software-download.

Windows 12 FAQ

Is Windows 12 free?

Yes. Every genuine Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education license upgrades to Windows 12 at no cost.

When will Windows 12 be available for my PC?

The phased rollout runs from July 17 through October 2026. Copilot+ PCs first, then all eligible Windows 11 devices.

Will Windows 12 run on my old Windows 10 PC?

Only if your PC already meets Windows 11 requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU). Windows 10 machines that were blocked from Windows 11 remain blocked from Windows 12.

Does Windows 12 require an NPU?

No. Windows 12 runs on any Windows 11 compatible PC. An NPU is only required for on-device Copilot features. Everything else works with cloud Copilot.

Is Windows 12 faster than Windows 11?

Yes. Cold boot times are roughly halved on NVMe systems, and battery life is up 25% on Copilot+ laptops. Even older hardware sees a 10 to 15% responsiveness boost.

Can I roll back to Windows 11?

Yes, within 10 days of upgrading through Settings then System then Recovery.

Does Windows 12 support Android apps?

Yes, via the new Windows Subsystem for Android 2 (WSA 2) with the Amazon Appstore and Google Play (in supported regions).

Is Windows 12 good for gaming?

Yes. DirectX 13, Auto SR, DirectStorage 2, and native Xbox Game Pass integration make it the best Windows release for gamers to date, and it is the lead platform for Fallout 5 and GTA VI on PC.