Users of Windows 11 version 24H2 on Home and Pro editions must upgrade by 13 October 2026 to continue receiving vital security patches, with enterprise versions supported until October 2027.
Windows 11 users running version 24H2 on Home or Pro editions have until Tuesday 13 October 2026 before Microsoft stops issuing security updates for that release, according to Microsoft’s lifecycle documentation. After that date, devices left on 24H2 will no longer receive monthly patches, bug fixes, time zone updates or technical support. Enterprise and Education editions remain on support for longer, with Microsoft keeping those channels covered until 12 October 2027. The change matters because 24H2 is now approaching the end of its 24-month support window for consumer and small-business PCs.
Microsoft’s servicing model is straightforward: each annual Windows 11 release resets the support clock. The company says Windows 11 24H2 was released on 30 September 2024, while Windows Central reports that the newer 26H2 release, published in late September 2026, acts as an enablement package that switches on features already present on the system. In practice, that means the installation is small and generally quick, with the benefit that it extends support for another 24 months on Home and Pro devices. Windows Central says the same release also gives commercial editions a 36-month support window.
For users who are still on 24H2, the immediate task is to check the installed version through Settings, then move to a newer build before the deadline. Microsoft says Home and Pro PCs that are not managed by an IT department will eventually be offered the upgrade automatically, although users can defer it. The company also recommends opening Windows Update and checking manually, especially if “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” is enabled and the device is eligible for the newer release. If 26H2 is offered, installing it is the simplest way to stay within support.
Windows 10 users face a separate but related issue. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, but the company is offering Extended Security Updates, or ESU, for people and organisations that need more time. Microsoft’s support pages say the programme delivers only critical and important security patches, not new features or general technical support. The consumer version was due to end in October 2026, but Microsoft later extended free enrolment for a further year, according to reporting from Tom’s Hardware and an update to Microsoft’s own support material. Eligible users can join by backing up settings to a Microsoft account, redeeming Microsoft Rewards points or paying a one-off fee, while older PCs that cannot meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements may rely on ESU as their main route to continued protection.
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