As of early 2026, Microsoft has not officially acknowledged Windows 12 in any capacity — no release date, no product name, no roadmap. The wave of speculation was largely ignited by a PCWorld article that PCWorld itself retracted after it failed the outlet's editorial standards. Windows Central and PC Gamer, both citing direct Microsoft sources, confirmed the company has no plan to ship Windows 12 in 2026.
Much of the confusion stems from the codename "Hudson Valley," which circulated online as a supposed Windows 12 project. In reality, Hudson Valley referred to Windows 11 24H2 — a feature update that already shipped in late 2024. The misidentification was amplified by AI-generated content and downstream outlets that treated the retracted PCWorld piece as credible reporting.
Experts at PCMag draw a parallel to the Windows 10 lifecycle and project that Windows 12, if it exists, would arrive no earlier than 2027. Until Microsoft makes a formal announcement, any specific launch date or feature set attributed to Windows 12 should be treated as speculation rather than confirmed fact.