EDIT: As @[email protected] has pointed out, that Windows 12 article has been debunked, not just by outside sources, but by PCWorld itself at this point. The article itself has a large disclaimer on it now, and they have a breakdown on how the story got published in the first place:

pcworld.com/…/we-messed-up-with-the-windows-12-ar…

Original Comment:

This actually tracks completely with the news about an incoming Windows 12 announcement and in particular the claim about Windows 12 being modular. The description has claimed that it will make certain aspects of Windows able to be added or removed at will. Meaning options like a “minimal” desktop installation that has very few options, no PowerShell, no Terminal, no access to a majority of common Windows features, and very little control of the OS other than changing the desktop background.

In other words, this new “Project Helix” or whatever will be a stripped-down version of Windows 12 with everything non-gaming-related removed, including access to half the system settings I’m sure.

Microsoft has no interest in scaling back windows especially for the sake of user experience. The want Ai in your face they want ads for you to upgrade to office 365.

So while they could do all of this even with a modified version of Windows 11 , they won’t.

I mean, I would argue that having to pay for access to different parts of Windows, like say access to PowerShell or access to more advanced features and settings has been part of the way they make money for a long time. That’s why their used to be “Home,” “Pro,” and “Enterprise” versions all with various levels of capability. So while it looks like the original article has been debunked, I would think that offering stripped-down versions of Windows would just serve as a way to push upgrades to more full featured versions the same way they press you to upgrade to Office 365.