Windows 12 could be the tipping point that finally pushes you to Linux - here's why (12 might arrive in 2027)

ZD Net ^ | March 10, 2026 | Written by Jack Wallen,

[dennisw]

Some rumored Windows 12 features could frustrate users and be the reason Linux finally starts looking better.

First off, the rumor about a 2026 release for Windows 12 is not true. Someone translated a German article about Windows 12 releasing in 2026, and it proved to be untrue (and was later retracted). Second, there are a lot of other "speculations" as to what Windows 12 will be like.

What could cause a large migration? I'm going to set the rumors aside, and instead, focus on what I believe will happen (based on the past, the present, and the future of technology). It's all about AI.

Microsoft is heavily invested in Copilot and has zero intention of backing down from its AI. Although many have claimed the rumors that Microsoft is planning on plunging Windows 12 deeper into artificial intelligence waters are false, I would argue that they are true.

Let me explain.

Also: The 6 Linux distros I expect to rule 2026 - as someone who's tested hundreds (and for decades)

AI started as third-party services that consumers could use. Those services then transformed into paid services. The paid services were soon replaced by free services, by way of various integrations. For example, the Opera browser gave us Aria, which we could all use for free. Google gave us Gemini. Apple gave us Apple Intelligence (sort of?), and Microsoft gave us Copilot.

AI then evolved into agentic AI, which could automate tasks like shopping, and that agentic AI started filtering into various browsers (some free, some not).

Then, AI started trickling its way into operating systems, with Copilot, Gemini, and Apple Intelligence becoming more and more deeply embedded. All of a sudden, AI was integrated into web browsers, email, notes, office suites, and more. What this meant is that user-facing apps were now intrinsically tied to AI.

The next evolution Here's where I think this goes with regard to Windows (ergo, Windows 12):

AI will take the place of Windows Service Manager, so users won't have to worry about managing services. AI will take control of software updates. AI will begin reading what's on users' screens (so it always has context for what users are asking). AI will be used for natural language system control (such as "I need to close the app that's consuming the most RAM"). AI will be capable of local processing (which will require even more powerful systems). AI will be able to monitor long-running tasks (such as research), and will be able to assist in that process. AI will be used for semantic search on the desktop. AI will be used for data collection. As you can see, I believe AI will be so deeply embedded in the next iteration of Windows that it will be impossible to break that tie. If you want an AI-less Windows, you'll be out of luck, and once Microsoft makes that change, there will be no going back.

At the same time, the Windows UI probably won't undergo much of a change, and it will most likely include even more ads and more data collection.

Also: I've used Windows for decades, but I tried Linux to see if it's truly 'easy' now - and one thing surprised me

When you put all of this together, it points to migration. Users are only willing to take so much before they finally break and change, and Windows 12 might be the metaphorical straw v. camel. And I believe that what we'll see with Windows 12 will make the migration from Windows 10 to Linux look quaint.

And then, you add to that the continued evolution of the Linux desktop into something that any user (of any skill level) can work with and enjoy (without all the caveats that come with Windows), and you have a perfect storm. Linux on the desktop will never:

Include ads. Be deeply interwoven with AI. Require users to purchase a new PC. Collect user information or track users' behavior. Cost a penny. Sounds appealing, right? Well, the combination of where Windows is going and where Linux is not going will have consumers flocking to the open-source operating system.

And there you have my take on the whole Windows 12/Linux debate.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[krizzy]

I have installed Linux on many computers as dual boot hoping that one day I would have he time to sit down and make them all work. Networking all the machines together and having them join with windows share drives was just too much of a hassle.
Unfortunately there were a few apps I need for work that would only run on windows.
Those 2 issues keep pushing me back to windows.

[DesertRhino]

Yeah, that’s kinda true....

[DesertRhino]

Thanks, I’m going to give it a try.

[farmguy]

NVR = Network video recorder.

I’m considering going to a stand alone box that will handle all the cameras on my home network. I’m not looking for anything real sophisticated, just something that will trigger and record on basic movement. Most of what I record is wildlife, though I did record someone dumping on the front of the property once.

Blue Iris does that pretty well, but it requires me to keep windows on my PC.

I currently have roughly 25 cameras. Amazon offers some units that will handle my system if I trim it down some. But before I shell out the money for the NVR and a storage drive, I want to be sure that it will do what I want.

Then, windows is history.

[crazycat]

Try a Linux version...Mint or Ubuntu....they will run happily on yr desktop, for years.

[zeugma]

MOST users just want what they want, without having to think about it. “Ease of use” and “it just works” is all they care about.

if "it just works was really a concern, they would be using a real operating system

[esquirette]

I am intrigued but concerned about compatibility with existing programs. I think most people are also wondering about the learning curve and sharing work with others or collaboration on projects. Thoughts? Resources for making the change and coming up to speed?

[larrytown]

if "it just works was really a concern, they would be using a real operating system

You're giving the average user too much credit.

Most view the BROWSER as "the computer".

[Windcatcher]

I really think people who place such importance on OS’s need to get a little less full of themselves.

An OS provides a certain amount of basic API’s that all applications need, but that’s it.

When I use an image editor, or an office application, or an application that lets me set up circuits and lay out circuit boards, those are NOT operating system functions. They use the OS to load and use OS functions, mostly loading from and saving to disk, and in some cases communicating with a remote web address.

These are functions that we expect every modern operating system to provide; it’s only the minutia that matters. We expect that our paint program, word processor, or whatever application won’t be able to alter the code the operating system itself uses, or access the files of another user on the platform.

The problem lies in the BREADTH of services an OS offers; Microsoft’s strategy has been to offer an ever-increasing breadth of services that applications can rely upon instead of having to furnish those features themselves. Want Lempel-Ziv compression? Just make an OS call instead of having to supply it yourself. Want to call up a browser? Just make an OS call instead of checking for an installed third-party one.

Every OS does all of the basic things (including security) that we might expect. The only difference is in the details (i.e. the minutia, .so files vs. .dll files, and other minutia ad nauseam). So knock off the “my OS is superior crap”. That battle was settled decades ago. The only difference nowadays is what’s third-party vs. what’s built-in.

And if you think needing to use the command-line makes your OS-du-jour superior then you’re a f*cking idiot. It merely means the difference between invoking a separate application vs. an internal OS call via a .dll or .so.

[Windcatcher]

Command-line functionality vs. .dll/.so functionality: one is more flexible and can be invoked by a human, the other is more computationally efficient. Pick your poison. The ideal solution would be to designate a standard “CmdLine” function that every .dll or .so could optionally support that would let them be invoked from the command line. Then you’d get the best of both worlds. But this “my OS is superior/we are smarter because we use the command line” is unintelligent crap. You’re gaining flexibility and losing computational efficiency. You should be pursuing both.

[Salamander]

My Alienware 18 will choke on Linux because the hardware is snippy and requires proprietary drivers.

For weal or woe, 11 is as far as I can go and I do NOT want AI *anything ever*.

As long as I have internet access, I’ll just limp along as best I can

/Gates is a devil

😕

[Salamander]

Copilot is a nosy snitch that never takes its hand out of your pocket

I don’t need “help” to find stuff.

[Salamander]

Do they still have Linux stuff that runs off an external drive or disc,separate of your OS?

[Salamander]

They only last until they can no longer upgrade their OS.

I have 3 that are hobbled now.

Plus I hate them.

😁

[Salamander]

My iPhone constantly harasses me to do fingerprint or facial recognition for everything.

Yeah, no.

[Windcatcher]

I played with Linux back in the day but while I don’t care for Windows’ dominance, I’m resisting switching to any *NIX-based OS. I see it as a technological step backwards. Until they get out of the F’ing 70’s I’m not interested.

[Still Thinking]

Win 10 LTSC IoT. Under support till 2032 and pretty reasonably de-crapified (Microshaft claims it’s not suitable as a desktop OS, but that’s because they think you want the crapped up version. Cortana and all that bullshit. There’s actually nothing wrong with it. Everything you need and nothing you don’t, actually)

[DouglasKC]

Thank you....I have 12 cameras and the apps for these are some of the ones I’m nervous about with Linux.

[minnesota_bound]

If you think you hate Windows 11 now, just wait till you try Windows 12... it comes with even more spyware!