During the Ignite 2022 Keynote event, Microsoft (accidentally or intentionally) brightened the interface for the next major Windows update. Such a version is expected to be released in 2024 and receive its own serial number 12 due to numerous innovations (approximately as in Windows 11).

The image (the quality of the image shown during the event left much to be desired, so the image above is a higher-quality reproduction) shows a number of features that do not belong to Windows 11: a floating taskbar (does not reach the edges of the screen ), as well as a floating search menu Next are the system icons at the top right (and not the regular bottom) of the screen, and the weather widget at the top left.

The next major update to Windows is still in the prototype stage, but sources familiar with the situation said that the prototype shown during Ignite reflects what Microsoft is aiming for in the next version of Windows. Of course, now only some of the possible innovations are shown – in fact, there will be more. Windows 12 has a new lock screen, new notification center, etc. expected to contain.

The overall purpose of the interface is to make it more touchable. At Microsoft, everything about the balance in this section is not very good: yes, if Windows 8 is strongly focused on “touch interaction”, then Windows 10, on the contrary, is more suitable for working with a mouse and keyboard. In Windows 11, Microsoft tried to find a middle ground, but it did not work: After all, the convenience of controlling with the mouse comes first.