Microsoft's Cortana denies existence of Windows 11

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A playful question posed to Cortana shows why getting answers from web forums isn't always the best option.

Windows 11 Logo 2 Winver
Windows 11 Logo 2 Winver (Image credit: Future)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft's digital assistant, Cortana, says that there won't be a Windows 11.
  • The source of the answer is from a comment on a Microsoft answers forum, not an official statement from Microsoft.
  • It was previously believed that Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows.

The Verge's Tom Warren shared a video on Twitter asking the digital assistant, "Is Windows 11 real?" Cortana responds by explaining that Windows 10 is the last version of Windows 10:

According to Microsoft.com, There will be no Windows 11. With Windows 10, Windows became a service and instead of a new standalone version, Microsoft is pushing bi-annual feature updates for Windows 10 every 6 months.

Warren asked the question to Cortana while running Windows 11.

The source of this quote comes from a Microsoft answers forum from 2018. It's the top reply to a discussion about "The New Windows 11." The answer isn't from a Microsoft spokesperson or anyone speaking in an official capacity. It does, however, link to a Microsoft doc that discusses Windows as a service.

Since Warren shared his first video, Cortana gathered together some new information on Windows 11. The assistant now shows articles covering the new operating system.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Of course, this is all a bit of fun. Microsoft wouldn't announce Windows 11 through Cortana. The digital assistant also gets its answers from the web, so it's prone to some mistakes.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.