Microsoft has different testing channels to try out Windows features before public release. One is the Canary channel, which is the most unstable and experimental.
The Canary channel tests things that may not launch with a certain Windows version right away. It could be part of a future update instead.
There’s an internal Canary channel only Microsoft employees can access. But enthusiasts use tools like Flight Hub to detect internal test builds and what’s coming up. So, while not public, traces of the internal channel sometimes surface.
What happened to build 27545?
Recently, Twitter user @XenoPanther, renowned for sharing insider information about Windows, highlighted a significant leap in the Canary channel from build 26047 to 27545.
[Corrected]
There has been a build jump for internal canary!
26047 > 27547— Xeno (@XenoPanther) January 30, 2024
Such substantial increases in build numbers often signify a major update or a new release, reminiscent of the transition from the 19XXX builds in Windows 10 to the 22XXX builds in Windows 11.
Consequently, users speculate that build 27545 might be the initial indication of Windows 12 or whatever Microsoft has in store following Windows 11.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s currently going on in the Windows world:
- Stable Channel: Version 22H2 and 23H2 with Moment 4 Update, Build 22631
- Beta Channel: Build 22635 with “Moment 5” features
- Dev Channel: Build 23620
- Canary Channel (Public): Build 26040 (the next “big” update)
- Canary Channel (internal): Build 27545 (Windows 12?)
What can we expect from Windows 12?
For now, the purpose of building 27545 is speculative without official Microsoft confirmation. The Canary channel tests experimental features not tied to a Windows release yet. And with Windows 12 rumors of delays, the 27XXX builds could be a long way off.
We can imagine Windows 12 evolving with Windows 11’s new design, store, Android integration, and more. Windows 12 may offer greater customization, improved ARM support, tighter Microsoft cloud/services integration, and new interaction models.
Windows 11 users can now await the “Moment 5” February 2024 optional update. It opens up 24H2 development testing, the H2 2024 version. So, the Canary channel likely holds very early Windows 12 or post-24H2 concepts.
