After Microsoft changed its release cycle from semi-annual to annual updates when Windows 11 was released, the company is now said to be working on another change to its OS release schedule. Consequently, there should only be major feature updates every three years.

A new Windows every three years

As reported by journalist Zac Bowden of the site windows center would like to have learned from its own sources, Microsoft is working under the codename “Next Valley” on a new release cycle for Windows, which will take effect from 2024.

New major versions, such as Windows 10 20h2 or the still current Windows 11 21H2, should only appear every three years in the future.

Feature drops instead of feature upgrades

Accordingly, Windows 11 23H2 aka Sun Valley 3, which was originally scheduled for fall 2023 and whose new set of features will be distributed via feature drops, so-called “Moments”, has been cancelled.

*) not officially confirmed!

The switch to the “Next Valley” release cycle is said to be noisy windows center after the release of Windows 22H2 (“Sun Valley 2”), which has already been released as a preview and will be rolled out soon.

The moments will be distributed four times a year.

Microsoft will release new features via feature drops four times a year between major releases. The so-called “Moments” will be distributed for the first time next year.

Since numerous operating system features, such as the desktop, start menu, and taskbar, have now been removed from Windows 11, new features can be tested on the Dev Channel and then migrated back to versions that are already available. available. To do this, Microsoft makes use of so-called enablement packages, which can implement new features in existing versions.

It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will release a new Windows 11 every three years or introduce a Windows 12 as part of the new release cycle in the next few years.