If your Windows 11 PC is running the Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations edition, there’s a lifecycle date that affects you this week.
Windows 11 version 24H2 reached the end of its security servicing on 13 October 2026 for the Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editions, according to Microsoft’s own Windows 11 release-information page. A device still running 24H2 on one of these editions no longer receives security updates from Microsoft unless it has already moved to a newer, currently supported Windows 11 version.
What happened to Windows 11 24H2 on 13 October 2026?
Windows 11 version 24H2 was released on 1 October 2024 as a feature update in Microsoft’s General Availability Channel. Under Microsoft’s standard servicing policy, Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editions of a feature update receive 24 months of security updates, while Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions receive 36 months. For 24H2, that 24-month window for the consumer and Pro editions ended on 13 October 2026 — exactly two years after release.
Which Windows 11 editions are affected?
Not every Windows 11 24H2 device loses support on the same date. The cut-off depends on which edition is installed:
| Edition | End of security updates |
|---|---|
| Home | 13 October 2026 |
| Pro | 13 October 2026 |
| Pro Education | 13 October 2026 |
| Pro for Workstations | 13 October 2026 |
| Enterprise | 12 October 2027 |
| Education | 12 October 2027 |
| IoT Enterprise | 12 October 2027 |
Most consumer PCs and small-business desktops run Home or Pro, which puts them among the editions affected right now. Enterprise and Education editions, typically deployed through volume licensing, have another 12 months before the same 24H2 build loses support.
How do I check which Windows 11 version I’m running?
Checking your installed version takes under a minute. On the PC in question, open Settings, select System, then About, and look for “Version” under Windows specifications. If it shows 24H2 and the edition is Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations, that device is now on an unsupported, unpatched build.
What’s the risk of staying on an unsupported version?
Once a Windows 11 version stops receiving security updates, any new vulnerability discovered in Windows itself after that date goes unpatched on that device. Microsoft continues to find and fix flaws in currently supported versions every month through its regular Patch Tuesday updates — a 24H2 Home or Pro PC no longer gets those fixes, so each new vulnerability disclosed from this point on is a standing gap rather than something that gets closed automatically.
How do I update to a supported version?
For most Home and Pro PCs, the fix is to install the next Windows 11 feature update through Windows Update:
- Open Settings, select Windows Update, and choose “Check for updates.”
- If a newer version (such as 25H2 or 26H2) is offered, download and install it — this keeps the device on the same Windows 11 licence, just a newer, currently supported build.
- If Windows Update shows the device as up to date but the version still reads 24H2, check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options — Microsoft rolls feature updates out in phases, so some devices need to select “Download and install now” manually rather than waiting for it to appear automatically.
For a business running several PCs, checking and updating each device one at a time doesn’t scale — this is exactly the kind of fleet-wide check our IT consulting team can handle for you, so nothing gets missed. If it’s a single home or personal PC, our computer repair team can check and update it for you.
What about Windows 11 Enterprise and Education devices?
Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions of Windows 11 24H2 are not affected by this week’s cut-off. Those editions continue receiving security updates until 12 October 2027, under Microsoft’s longer 36-month servicing window for volume-licensed editions. Businesses running Enterprise or Education builds don’t need to act on this specific date, though the same 24H2 build will eventually need to move to a newer version before October 2027.
FAQs
When did Windows 11 24H2 lose security support?
Windows 11 version 24H2 lost security support on 13 October 2026 for the Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editions, according to Microsoft’s own Windows 11 release-information page.
Does my Windows 11 PC stop working if it’s unsupported?
No. A PC running an unsupported Windows 11 version keeps working normally — it simply stops receiving the monthly security updates that patch newly discovered vulnerabilities, which raises risk over time rather than causing an immediate problem.
How do I know if my PC is on Windows 11 24H2?
Open Settings, select System, then About, and check “Version” under Windows specifications. If it shows 24H2 and the edition is Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations, the device is now unsupported.
Is Windows 11 Enterprise affected by this date?
No. Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions of 24H2 continue receiving security updates until 12 October 2027, under Microsoft’s longer servicing window for volume-licensed editions.
What if Windows Update doesn’t offer a newer version yet?
Microsoft rolls Windows 11 feature updates out in phases, so a newer version may not have reached every device at the same time. Our IT team can check a device and, if needed, install the update manually rather than waiting for it to appear.
If you’re not sure whether your business’s PCs are still on a supported Windows 11 version, our IT consulting team can check your whole fleet and handle the updates — the initial consultation is free. Call 1300 584 007 to talk it through.