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Thanks to ShadowAce for the ping!
Posted on 03/11/2026 7:23:49 AM PDT by 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.
I’m waiting for Windows 13, the 13th Imam.
I uninstalled Windows 11 from my PC a couple days back because of how glitchy it’s become. I was on 24H2. For now I will continue with Windows 10, but I’m making plans on making the switch to Linux Mint soon. And if I can find a way to run Windows 10 and 7 in virtual windows within Linux, and be able to share files, then it’ll be full on Linux from that point on.
“switch to Apple”
Agree, I know folks just waiting for the M5 chip with neural accelerators to roll out.
The big weakess of that machine is the small nonexpandable RAM, but for many desk surfers, they won’t care, and it is an entry point into the Apple ecosystem which I feel to be superior.
“Folks had better hold onto their copies of Windows 7-10-11, back them up *(The ISO’s i mean), because they soon disappear from MS site in favor of the new OS- The only problem though will be that eventually the older OS’s will lose updates and be vulnerable- but for folks like me who dual boot with linux, and only use windows offline, it will be fine to use for years to come (Until new software refuses to work on anything but new windows-)”
Windows 7 is perfectly safe to run, just don’t connect it to the Internet, ever. It isnt even safe to connect to your own intranet, because many viruses try to spread this way. I disable my network cards on these machines and just to be safe put the MAC address on the router blacklist.
You just update. Only time it needs a restart is when certain system files or the kernel get updated and even then, it’s a pretty quick restart, unlike the 15-20 minutes Windoze takes. Most of the time you just update it and keep on keeping on with whatever you’re doing.
I see my update icon is red(Kubuntu w/Plasma desktop) so that means security updates. Done in less than two minutes and no restart. Gotta love it.
One bad thing Ubuntu or maybe the upstream Debian started recently is unattended upgrades. I think it’s for when a bug gets found that makes the OS vulnerable to hacking via internet. They usually require a restart and that’s the only way I know they happened. Suddenly get a popup out of the blue to restart.
I’m slowly warming up to Linux, will certainly never buy a Win 12.
Meanwhile I’m trying to spend less time on computer anyway. Busier than I used to be, and given the spread of AI and the diminishing literacy and common sense found online, it isn’t difficult to cut down on a bad habit.
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Thanks to ShadowAce for the ping!
It’s a little advanced but I’ve had plenty of PCs with a single hard drive I dual booted windows/Linux from. If Windows is existing, Linux will resize the hard drive partition and create another partition and install itself alongside windows. SOME Linux installers actually make it very easy. You click a button that says Install alongside Windows. Other installers require you to decide what size the partitions will be.
I’m fairly comfortable with it because I used to use Fdisk for reformatting a hard drive for a fresh Windows install. This was back when Windows, 3.1 & 95 had to be done that way. Fdisk would be on a 3.5” floppy disk. Boot from that and the rest is commands you have to enter. I used MSDOS before that to print business receipts on a DOT Matrix printer. Had to set that up using Word Perfect which was an MSDOS program.
People complain about needing to use commands in Linux, which you really don’t need to any more, yet don’t realize the Microsoft started as MSDOS before there was a “window”(Graphic User Interface).
Don't phones depend on Linux somehow? Thought I read that somewhere.
What you posted is in line with current .edu thinking. If you were trying to learn something serious would you prefer a 15.6” laptop display or a 13” Neo display? Same weight. 15.6” LG Gram laptop weighs same LG Gram as Neo.
MAC OS is Unix based … Windows is not
My Vizio TV is a Linux box.
I was about 5 years old when the Win 98 landed on Mommy's desk. It was like learning to swim. Jump in first, learn later. I'm doing much the same now with Linux. Explore. Try stuff. You can't hurt it.
No I am telling you what the university recommendations are, and what are in use on university campuses. Only folks doing things like heavy video or engineering work are lugging 15 and bigger laptops.
Note taking, web browsing, email, paper writing, media consumption etc, are the standard use cases, and they are not coming to college generally with 15+ laptops.
You want to try to change the market go right ahead, but that is the market, and this laptop is going to eat most of the low end machines lunches in this space.
Chrome Books are pretty much the same, yes they make 15 and 17” chrome books, they do exist, but not likely to see a single student in any school district carrying anything larger than a 14” at most.
So, kids who have been using 13/14” machines for the decade before they went to college for their schooling needs aren’t chomping to say I need a larger screen.
I’ve been running dual boot, Windows 7 Pro and some form of Ubuntu ever since I caught a glimpse of the Win 8 desktop. Win 7 is not allowed access to the web and at this point, I never use it and really don’t need it. Sometime soon, I’ll wipe it and gain that HDD space.
OpenOffice is a pretty good Office Suite that looks a lot like the later versions of MS Office, especially the MS 365 online version. They use it where I work. My work does .mil/fedgov contracts and there’s a few hundred PCs, intranet, dedicated network with custom database application, interaction with CNC machines etc. They decided they didn’t want to pay for full blown MS Office for business and can’t risk the MS 365 online version due to OPSEC.
MS likes to suddenly send you to MS 365 version on occasion too. Had that experience at the last place I worked. They had the full MS Office Suite licensing but MS still tried to push the 365 crap.
As far as servers, Linux runs the internet for the most part and has forever. I still see web addresses that end with .asp, aka Active Server Pages, but it’s usually a slow and bloated web app.
You got me convinced on what kids in college are doing. But how about you, if you had some intensive studying/learning. You are good with a 13” Neo display?
“Don’t phones depend on Linux somehow? Thought I read that somewhere.”
Android OS is Linux derived. Android meaning all smart phones except for iPhones.
I'm a data center rat for a giant, evil corporation that I won't name right now. Today I had lunch with one of the Cisco field engineers that services our account.
He told me that "at least one, but we think two or three" very large AI players are, and have been for awhile, buying immense quantities of CPU/GPU/RAM for the sole purpose of keeping those chips out of the hands of their AI competitors. Not installing it in server gear - they're mothballing it.
For as long as I can remember Cisco would honor the price on a hardware quote for six months. Today, a quote for Cisco UCS server gear is locked in for seven days. Seven. Days.
We truly are living in interesting times.
As long as one can opt out* of telemetry, and functions as "bitlocker," "Recall," "One Drive," etc., and enable or allow the extensive customizations that one can rather easily find and enable (unlike Linux in my experience, then Windows to Linux transitions can be expected to mainly be from those who just want a simple OS, not much customization.
I do not use Co-pilot, Team, Office, etc. nor default locations for many things, and run W/11Pro Ver. 23H2, and with the shell being much like a customized W/10 (two-level taskbar, groupings, Quick Launch, compact expanding Start menu, customized right click, etc. Thanks be to God!
And so as I say on Linux threads, switching to the latter does not yet warrant the time and energy it would take me to attain the level of customization that is rather easily obtainable for free under Windows (just some seen here), by the grace of God. But one day MS may change that warrant.
*
. Disable BitLocker Automatic Drive Encryption in Windows 11
How to Completely Disable or Uninstall "Recall" in Windows 11 24H2Jan 29, 2025 How to Disable Telemetry Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide for Usershow to turn off all windows 11 telemetry
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