Microsoft hints of upcoming Windows 11 reveal later this month

Since 2015, Microsoft has stated that Windows 10 is the last version of the Windows operating, but what is being seen as hints dropped by Microsoft could mean that Windows 11 is around the corner.

At the 2015 Microsoft Ignite conference, developer evangelist Jerry Nixon stated that Windows 10 is the last version of Windows.

"Right now we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10." - Jerry Nixon.

As part of this change, Microsoft has switched to a 'Windows as a Service' methodology. Instead of releasing new major versions (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1), they release feature updates twice a year and cumulative updates every month.

Microsoft hinting at Windows 11?

This week, Microsoft announced a press event on June 24 at 11 AM ET where they will "unveil the next generation of Windows," which included what many believe are hints that the next version will be named Windows 11.

As part of the announcement, Panos Panay, the Chief Product Officer at Microsoft, tweeted the following video showing a new Windows 10 logo and an animated stream of sunlight that curiously finishes as what appears to be the number '11.'

What is striking is that unlike previous logos showing a similar pattern of sunlight on the floor, this video removes the shadow of the crossbar to show the number 11 at the end.

While some have also stated that the event's start time of 11 AM EST is also a hint of a name change to Windows 11, Microsoft has previously started events at 11am, so I am not reading into this one that much.

The next Windows version is big, regardless of its name.

Microsoft has been working on the 'Sun Valley' feature update, or Windows 10 21H2, which is expected to be released this fall.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella previously confirmed that he and other employees have been internally testing the new version and said that a "significant update" would be revealed soon.

"Windows brings together all developer and collaboration tools in one place. It lets you choose the hardware you want, works with Linux and Windows as one, and has a modern terminal," Nadella said during Build 2021 conference.

"And soon we will share one of the most significant updates to Windows of the past decade to unlock greater economic opportunity for developers and creators."

The Windows 10 Sun Valley update is definitely a significant update with a user interface overhaul containing new animations, improved icons, new toggle switches, rounded corners, and more.

Unlike last month's Windows 10 21H1 release, the Sun Valley update will also include some exciting new features such as DNS-over-HTTPS support, a modern disk management utility, revamped battery settings, better GPU performance settings and more.

Regardless of the name Microsoft ultimately uses for the next version of Windows, we are looking at a big update coming this fall.