Microsoft will end support for Windows 11 version 24H2 on October 13, 2026 for Home and Pro editions, which means affected PCs should move to a newer Windows release before the deadline.
Once support ends, Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro will stop receiving monthly security updates, fixes for known problems, preview updates, time zone updates and technical support.
Your PC will continue to work after October 13, but remaining on an unsupported version of Windows will gradually increase security risks because newly discovered vulnerabilities will no longer be addressed through regular updates.
Microsoft currently offers Windows 11 25H2 and the newer Windows 11 26H2 as upgrade options.
Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro Support Ends First
The October deadline does not apply equally to every Windows 11 edition.
| Windows 11 edition | 24H2 support end date |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Home | October 13, 2026 |
| Windows 11 Pro | October 13, 2026 |
| Windows 11 Enterprise | October 12, 2027 |
| Windows 11 Education | October 12, 2027 |
Enterprise and Education customers therefore receive another year of Windows 11 24H2 support.
The additional support period follows Microsoft's usual Windows servicing model, where business and education editions receive longer maintenance periods than consumer editions.
For most personal PCs, however, October 13 is the important date.
How to Check Which Windows 11 Version You Have
You can confirm your current version directly through Windows Settings.
Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then select System.
Scroll down and open About.
Under Windows specifications, look for the Version entry.
If it says 24H2 and your edition is Windows 11 Home or Pro, your current Windows release is approaching the end of support.
It is also worth checking the Edition field while you are there because that determines whether the October 2026 deadline applies to your PC.
If you already see 25H2 or 26H2, you do not need to upgrade because of the 24H2 support deadline.
Windows 11 26H2 Is the Newer Upgrade Option
Windows 11 26H2 is already available, making it the more current destination for compatible PCs.
To check for it, open Settings and select Windows Update.
Enable the option that allows you to receive the latest updates as soon as they become available.
Windows Update should eventually display Windows 11, version 26H2 when the upgrade is ready for your device.
Microsoft does not necessarily offer a major Windows update to every PC at exactly the same time. Availability can depend on hardware compatibility, temporary safeguard holds and known problems affecting particular configurations.
Windows 11 26H2 still has some known issues, so you may want to review any compatibility concerns affecting your hardware before installing it.
The update also includes performance optimizations intended to improve Windows 11 on some older hardware.
If 26H2 is not currently offered to your PC, Windows 11 25H2 remains a supported alternative to staying on 24H2.
Unsupported Windows Will Continue Working but Become Riskier
The end of support does not disable Windows 11 24H2.
Your applications and existing Windows installation should continue to operate, but the absence of security fixes becomes increasingly important over time.
That matters most when new vulnerabilities are discovered after October 13. A supported Windows version can receive patches for those problems, while 24H2 Home and Pro will no longer receive the normal monthly protections.
The practical step is therefore to check your Windows version now rather than waiting until support has already ended.
If your PC is still running Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, moving to 25H2 or preferably 26H2 will keep the system within Microsoft's supported update cycle after October 13, 2026.
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