Microsoft has announced a significant deadline regarding the support for its older Windows 11 release. The Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 24H2 will cease to receive updates after October 13, 2026. Following this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security patches, technical support, or other fixes for these editions. While PCs running 24H2 will continue to operate, they will be vulnerable to newly discovered security risks, as no further updates will be issued.
What Microsoft announced and who is affected
A reminder was shared by Microsoft through its Windows message center, with BleepingComputer reporting on the notice in September 2026. The company reiterated the deadline in its September update notes. It’s important to note that the deadline is specific to certain editions of version 24H2. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will remain supported until October 12, 2027. Generally, consumer editions of Windows 11 feature releases have a support window of 24 months, while Enterprise and Education editions enjoy a longer 36-month support period.
Additionally, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editions share the same shorter lifecycle as Home and Pro. Windows 11 SE will also reach its end of support in October 2026, but Microsoft has indicated that there will be no feature update for Windows 11 SE after 24H2. Users are encouraged to transition to devices that support other Windows 11 editions.
Check which edition and version you are running
To determine your current Windows edition and version, navigate to Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. Alternatively, you can press Windows key + R, type winver, and hit Enter to view your version and OS build.
If your device is running 24H2 Home, Pro, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations, the October 2026 deadline is applicable. Conversely, Enterprise and Education devices on 24H2 will have until October 2027. If your device indicates it is on version 25H2, it has already transitioned beyond the 24H2 deadline. Users of Windows 11 SE should follow the transition plan provided by their educational institution or device administrator.
The fix: upgrade to Windows 11 25H2
For those with eligible 24H2 devices, Microsoft recommends upgrading to the newer Windows 11 version, 25H2. This transition from 24H2 to 25H2 utilizes an enablement package and requires only a single restart, eliminating the need for a complete reinstallation.
Prerequisites: The enablement package necessitates Windows 11 version 24H2 and the cumulative update KB5064081 or a later update released on August 29, 2025. It is advisable to allow Windows Update to install any pending updates prior to initiating the feature update.
For most Home and Pro users:
- Back up important files before updating.
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates. If 25H2 is available for your device, choose the download and install option.
- Restart when prompted, then run
winverto confirm that it now reports version 25H2.
Transitioning to 25H2 initiates a new support window for Home and Pro users, extending their eligibility for updates until October 2027. Advanced users may obtain the enablement package as KB5054156, but should verify its prerequisites beforehand.
What happens if you do nothing
For unmanaged Home and Pro devices still on 24H2, Microsoft will automatically push the 25H2 update. Users will have the option to choose or delay the restart. It is crucial to ensure that the update has been successfully installed, particularly as the deadline approaches.
For small businesses and those managing multiple PCs, it is essential to monitor both the edition and version. A simple list indicating “Windows 11 24H2” does not differentiate between a Pro device nearing its deadline and an Enterprise device that still has a year of support remaining. Transitioning a Home device to 25H2 will extend its support window, but the edition will ultimately dictate the applicable lifecycle.
