Industry chatter over the fate of the Windows 11 brand in 2024 is again rising in volume following the discovery that a Windows 11 24H2 installation is most definitely on the way.

2024 is set to be a big 12 months for Microsoft's flagship OS. By the end of it, Windows 10 will have less than a year before support is pulled for all but those able to pay. Windows 11 has yet to surpass its predecessor in terms of market share and Microsoft is packing it with AI tools.

The arrival of Windows 12 has been expected by some, given the length of service that has passed for Windows 11. However, judging by technical documents unearthed by WindowsLatest, it looks like there will be at least one more hurrah for Windows 11 before the operating system moves to maintenance, and something with a less toxic brand takes center stage.

Lurking within a support document for the Process Status API header is a reference to the EnumDeviceDrivers function. Venture into documentation, and a paragraph tells developers what to expect from Windows 11 Version 24H2.

Unless Microsoft opts to change the wording, it appears that Windows 11 24H2 is happening, although there is no indication of what form the branding might take. We've seen some OEMs starting to use nomenclature along the lines of "Windows 11 2024 Update."

While there was a period prior to the release of Windows 11 when the operating system identified itself as Windows 10, the discovery of 24H2 makes the release of Windows 12 in 2024 look less likely.

Windows 10 will continue to be supported until 2025, after which extended support can be purchased for a relatively hefty fee.

Once Windows 10 has left the building and Windows 11 24H2 has demonstrated why users should buy new hardware to take advantage of all that AI wizardry, the path will be clear for Windows 12. ®

https://www.theregister.com//2024/02/02/windows_12_windows_11_24h2/