Microsoft has set a deadline for an older Windows 11 release. Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro editions reach end of updates on October 13, 2026. After that date, Microsoft will stop supplying those editions with security patches, other fixes and technical support. A PC left on 24H2 will still run, but newly discovered vulnerabilities will no longer be patched for it.

The deadline applies to particular editions of version 24H2. Windows 11 itself is continuing, and eligible Home and Pro devices can move to a newer feature update to keep receiving fixes.

What Microsoft announced and who is affected

Microsoft posted a reminder in its Windows message center. BleepingComputer reported the notice in September 2026, and Microsoft repeated the deadline in its September update notes.

The distinction is edition as well as version. Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise and Education editions remain supported until October 12, 2027. Windows 11 feature releases have a 24-month support window for consumer editions and a 36-month window for Enterprise and Education.

Pro Education and Pro for Workstations fall under the shorter lifecycle alongside Home and Pro. Windows 11 SE also reaches the end of support in October 2026, but its next step is different: Microsoft says there will be no Windows 11 SE feature update after 24H2 and recommends moving to a device that supports another Windows 11 edition.

Check which edition and version you are running

Open Settings > System > About to see your Windows edition and version under Windows specifications. You can also press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter to check the version and OS build.

If you have 24H2 Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations, the October 2026 deadline applies. Enterprise and Education devices on 24H2 have until October 2027. If your device already shows 25H2, it has moved beyond the 24H2 deadline; Windows 11 SE users should follow their school or device administrator’s transition plan.

The fix: upgrade to Windows 11 25H2

For eligible 24H2 devices, Microsoft recommends moving to a newer Windows 11 version. The move from 24H2 to 25H2 uses an enablement package and requires one restart. It does not require a full reinstall.

Prerequisites: The enablement package requires Windows 11 version 24H2 and the August 29, 2025 cumulative update KB5064081 or a later cumulative update. Let Windows Update install any pending updates before attempting the feature update.

For most Home and Pro users:

  1. Back up important files before updating.
  2. Open Settings > Windows Update.
  3. Select Check for updates. If 25H2 is available for your device, select its download and install option.
  4. Restart when prompted, then run winver to confirm that it reports version 25H2.

Moving to 25H2 starts a new support window for Home and Pro users, extending their update eligibility into October 2027. Advanced users can obtain the enablement package as KB5054156, but should check its prerequisites first.

What happens if you do nothing

Microsoft says unmanaged Home and Pro devices on 24H2 will receive the 25H2 update automatically. Users can choose or postpone the restart. Check that the update has finished installing, especially as the deadline approaches.

For small businesses and anyone managing several PCs, track edition and version together. A list showing only “Windows 11 24H2” cannot distinguish a Pro device nearing its deadline from an Enterprise device with another year of support. Moving a Home device to 25H2 extends its support window, but its edition still determines which lifecycle applies.

The bottom line

If your PC runs Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, move to 25H2 before October 13, 2026 to keep receiving security updates. Back up your files, use Windows Update and confirm the new version after restarting. Enterprise and Education devices on 24H2 have until October 2027; Windows 11 SE needs a separate transition because it will not receive 25H2.