Microsoft has reminded customers that multiple editions of Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 will reach the end of servicing in 60 days, on October 8, 2024.
The announcement applies to Windows 11 22H2 Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, and SE editions released on September 20, 2022. On the same day, Windows 11 21H2 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will also reach the end of service, one year after the Home and Pro editions.
“The upcoming October 2024 security update, to be released on October 8, 2024, will be the last update available for these editions. After this date, devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats,” Microsoft said.
“To help keep you protected and productive, Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update for Windows 11 Home and Pro devices that are not managed by IT departments when these are nearing end of servicing.”
Customers can find details about end-of-service dates of other Windows releases on the Windows Lifecycle FAQ page and using the Lifecycle Policy search tool.
Microsoft also provides a list of all products that will be retired or have reached the end of support in the coming months.
Force-installing the Windows 11 2023 Update
Windows 11 23H2 (also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update) began rolling out in September to Release Preview Insiders for enterprise testing and was officially released as an enablement package in late October.
Microsoft started force-installing it in February on eligible systems close to or that had already reached their end-of-service date.
“Windows 11, version 23H2, also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update, is now entering a new rollout phase. We are starting to update eligible Windows 11 devices automatically to version 23H2,” Microsoft said.
“This automatic update targets Windows 11 devices that have reached or are approaching end of servicing and it follows the machine learning-based (ML) training we have utilized so far.”
This forced rollout phase came after systems running multiple Windows 11 21H2 editions were automatically updated to Windows 11 22H2 before reaching the end of support on October 11.
You can check if your PC is eligible for the Windows 11 2023 Update using the PC Health Check app or by reviewing Windows 11 specifications, features, and system requirements.
Microsoft also provides a dedicated support document and a guided walk-through to help resolve upgrade issues.
