Microsoft is preparing to outline its next chapter for Windows and Surface, with the company confirming a major event in San Francisco on October 7 focused on the growing role of local AI in personal computing.

The event will be Microsoft’s first major Windows-focused showcase in more than two years and is expected to provide an indication of where the company is taking its operating system, PC hardware and AI strategy.

The event is putting AI at the centre of proceedings, billed as a conversation about “how local AI will shape the next chapter of the PC”.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Windows and Surface chief Pavan Davuluri and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang are among the executives expected to attend.

The involvement of Huang points to a potentially strong focus on AI-enabled PC hardware and graphics processing, and NVIDIA’s RTX platform is expected to feature prominently.

Microsoft’s developing relationship with AI PC manufacturers and the push to run AI workloads locally on PCs, rather than via the cloud, is expected to attract attention.

The event could also provide further details on Microsoft’s Surface roadmap, including pricing and availability.

However, current reporting indicated we shouldn’t expect a new major Windows release  at the event. Instead, the company is expected to discuss developments within Windows 11 and its broader direction.

The event comes at a time when the PC industry is continuing to position AI and its capabilities as a key differentiator for new hardware. Microsoft has already worked with PC manufacturers and silicon suppliers to establish the Copilot+ PC category, with devices incorporating dedicated neural processing capabilities that can handle AI workloads.

The October event is set to provide important clues about the hardware requirements and software capabilities Microsoft intends to prioritise as AI becomes increasingly embedded in Windows.

Microsoft’s last major Windows event was held in May 2024, when the company unveiled its Copilot+ PC initiative and announced a renewed focus on Arm-based Windows PCs in partnership with Qualcomm. 

The October 7 event is predicted to be an opportunity for Microsoft to reinforce its Windows and PC strategy at a time when AI is reshaping the landscape.

The event is scheduled to take place in San Francisco at 10am Pacific Time on October 7.