Spike in search volume for “when does Windows 12 come out” as users already frustrated by Windows 11
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October 14 saw the end of Windows 10 support, excluding any of the extended security update programs available to some users. As such, that means a whole lot of users have essentially been forced to upgrade to Windows 11, though millions are expected to stick to Windows 10 despite the greater security risk moving forward.
And now, Google Trends data reveals that not everyone is happy with Windows 11 or is even hoping for Windows 12 to come and rescue them. There has been an uptick in users complaining about Windows 11, and indeed, the number of people hoping to find out when Windows 12 comes out. The Windows 12 release window is yet to be made official in any capacity.
Google Trends reveals some hate for Windows 11
UX/UI design agency Tenscope highlighted data from Google Trends, reporting on a couple of search terms across the United States in the month leading up to Windows 10 end-of-life. The terms “hate Windows 11” and “when does Windows 12 come out” spiked over the past 30 days, as seen in the graphs below.
Source: Google Trends via Tenscope
Source: Google Trends via Tenscope
As a company focused on user experience and user interfaces, it also highlighted some of the frustrations new Windows 11 users may be facing.
“These search trends tell a story that tech companies need to pay attention to. When users are forced into an upgrade and immediately start searching for alternatives or expressing frustration, it means the transition hasn’t been handled well. Windows 11 made significant interface changes that disrupted familiar workflows for millions of users. The fact that people are already searching for Windows 12 before Windows 11 has gained widespread acceptance shows just how resistant users are to changes they didn’t ask for.”
Jovan Babovic, spokesperson for Tenscope
It’s no secret that many people have been reluctant to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11. Research has shown that some PC gamers have had to upgrade their hardware to be compatible with Windows 11, and there’s a large amount of e-waste being created as a result of the transition; a UK firm estimates £1.8bn worth of e-waste in the region alone. Earlier this year, nearly half of Steam users were still on Windows 10, but that has gradually been shifting more in favor of the newer operating system.
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