Microsoft’s Vision for Windows 12 Explains Windows 11
Big changes ahead for Windows
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 by BradSams | Discussion: Software Blog
This past week, Microsoft accidentally shared a mockup of their vision for Windows 12 at their Ignite conference. The mockup, which has the name Windows 11 NV, or Next Valley, is authentic and is likely the direction Microsoft is heading with its OS.
There are three notable items that are worth paying attention to:
- Widgets are now in the top left corner
- System tray is in the top right corner
- Taskbar is “floating” rather than sitting at the bottom of the screen
While we don’t know if all of these features will make their way into Windows 12 (or whatever they are going to call it), it does explain some of the decisions behind Windows 11.
With Windows 11, Microsoft removed the ability to ungroup icons on the taskbar and also defaults to a center-aligned Start menu. Behind the scenes, Microsoft has already said that they rebuilt the taskbar. We also know that the system tray has now been rebuilt and of course, the widgets were rebuilt for Windows 11, too.
I believe that Microsoft has done this is to train the user for the next big transition. To go from Windows 10 to "Windows 12" is a big leap, but with Windows 11, this makes the transition a bit softer. With Microsoft rebuilding much of the interface from scratch with Windows 11, this plays into the narrative that Windows 12 will be another significant change for the OS.
If Microsoft does go this route, and the taskbar becomes more of a dock, it makes sense why the company no longer allows you to ungroup open windows or move the taskbar to the top of the display (both features can be re-enabled with Start11). Out of context, these two changes appear to be a significant regression, and even with the Windows 12 mockup showing the direction, it remains hard to justify why they would remove features that have defined Windows for decades.
While Microsoft is not sharing if this is truly the direction that they will take with Windows 12, there is a lot of evidence to support that this is where they are looking to take the OS. There are still many questions outstanding about if the company will allow for a “classic” OS layout to be re-enabled, but at this point, considering that they were willing to cut things out of Windows 11, I would think that’s not likely.
It's a bit too early to talk about a Start12, but know that once Microsoft does finally share its vision, and more importantly a build of the next major release, Stardock will be looking to do what we do best and make Windows more personal and productive.
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Reply #2 Wednesday, October 19, 2022 8:26 PM
This is just more continuation of MSFT's push to convert windows into a tablet OS. Once upon a time the OS was smart enough to detect what type of device it was on and Taylor the UI to that. This is also why you see less and less customization capabilities in windows. It basically removes the P from "PC".
I've been a windows dev for several decades now. I'm pretty sure I won't be before long. I made my money and I'm pretty good in that area so I don't think I'll continue with it.
The biggest problem with Windows is the lack of customization. Each new build makes it worse.
Reply #3 Friday, October 21, 2022 8:42 AM
"While Microsoft is not sharing if this is truly the direction that they will take with Windows 12, there is a lot of evidence to support that this is where they are looking to take the OS"
The question is why? On what basis are they making these design choices? Long ago when they created the start menu/taskbar for Windows 95 they had users test drive it IIRC. They got feedback from actual users about what worked and didn't work and I believe that's why the UI has been so successful and lasted all these years. Is Microsoft getting feedback now about Windows 11? Do they perceive a need that is not being met adequately by Windows 10 that makes the changes necessary? I don't think so.
Reply #4 Friday, October 21, 2022 10:54 AM
O wow another Windows Mac Hybrid ? Last Windows in normal GUI is Windows 7 and 10.
Reply #5 Saturday, October 22, 2022 6:31 PM
They are pushing people to adopt Linux, I do not like there changes and eventually I will switch my main machine to be a Linux OS machine.
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 25, 2022 2:54 AM
I like our user interface as is on W10. W7 was even better. They go and change everything people will be lost.
Reply #9 Thursday, November 3, 2022 2:15 PM
W7 was even better.
Well Windows 7 is Vista SP3 and Vista Beta 1 (not RTM) is last Windows and Bill Gates.
Reply #10 Thursday, November 3, 2022 2:19 PM
I kind of like it
And you like MacShitOS ? If Microsoft will slow add MacOS GUI to Windows them i will migrate to Linux for normal work and Windows only for games or Linux for work and XBox for games. I hate this new GUI.
Reply #11 Thursday, November 10, 2022 1:40 PM
I kind of like it
And you like MacShitOS ? If Microsoft will slow add MacOS GUI to Windows them i will migrate to Linux for normal work and Windows only for games or Linux for work and XBox for games. I hate this new GUI.
Well, I think I kind of like it too, I mean I don't like Apple stuff, but this UI looks good, even some Linux desktops have a similar experience of this design, this is my personal opinion, if you don't like it is ok, it's still a concept by the way
Reply #12 Monday, January 22, 2024 8:29 AM
It's been a while but, it's intriguing to hear about Microsoft's sneak peek into Windows 12 at their Ignite conference. The mockup, Windows 11 NV, sounds like a fascinating direction for their OS.
Those changes you mentioned, like widgets in the top left corner and a "floating" taskbar, definitely pique my interest. It's exciting to see how Microsoft is evolving their design and functionality.
Speaking of Windows, if you're considering an upgrade, you can buy Windows 11 Professional online from a reputable source. A reliable operating system is crucial for a seamless computing experience.
Reply #13 Monday, January 22, 2024 9:05 AM
Widgets are now in the top left corner
System tray is in the top right corner
Taskbar is “floating” rather than sitting at the bottom of the screen
I fail to grasp how scattering the great W7/10 task bar to the far corners of the desktop accomplishes anything but making one perform more arm/wrist movements to reach what you need/want.
SD will have to rescue us with
WhereTheHeckIzzit12 and WhereInGodsNameDidTheyPutIt12
More "progress and productivity" from MS. 
Reply #15 Monday, January 22, 2024 12:36 PM
Microsoft has a problem in that the Windows OS is quite mature. It only really needs updates for bug and security fixes, etc., and that's stuff that everyone has come to expect for free.
Reply #16 Monday, January 22, 2024 2:11 PM
Microsoft has a problem in that the Windows OS is quite mature. It only really needs updates for bug and security fixes, etc., and that's stuff that everyone has come to expect for free.
lol and yet there are still bugs in windows going back to the win2k era. Free indeed. How does it go? You get what you pay for..
Reply #18 Monday, January 22, 2024 6:15 PM
Well, I wasn't suggesting that they always fix the bugs 
. My thought is that MS seems to think they have to reinvent the UI and change the version number so that they can charge money for it.
Reply #19 Monday, January 22, 2024 8:17 PM
They fired the guy who developed this OS concept. The good news is this concept may get scrapped. The bad news is that the new Windows OS guy is the old Bing guy. You can see the old Bing philosophy in play here. For example, new Windows keyboards are putting a copilot button on them. So we may feel copilot start to take old Bing overall feel of being invasive.
Reply #20 Monday, January 22, 2024 9:45 PM
They fired the guy who developed this OS concept. The good news is this concept may get scrapped. The bad news is that the new Windows OS guy is the old Bing guy. You can see the old Bing philosophy in play here. For example, new Windows keyboards are putting a copilot button on them. So we may feel copilot start to take old Bing overall feel of being invasive.
You know, as much as I hate the fact that AI is going to wipe us all out in a few years, I will say copilot has been a little useful for me. I mean I know I'm selling my soul to the devil but I cbf to open a browser myself and type some words. Meh who knows but definitely not enough to loose my right hand windows key. I mean how am i supposed to lock my pc? left win+l? pfft. may as well be 17 miles apart.
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Reply #1 Wednesday, October 19, 2022 8:07 PM
I'd imagine you'll get a lot of requests to put the system tray back onto the taskbar.
I don't mind the floating taskbar though.