Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro reached end of support on October 13, 2026. Devices on those editions no longer receive monthly security or non-security updates. If any of your machines are still on 24H2, they missed this month’s fixes, which were a record-sized release.
Who is affected
- Affected: Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro.
- Still supported: 24H2 Enterprise and Education, until October 12, 2027.
- Target version: Windows 11 25H2, supported through October 12, 2027, according to TechRepublic’s reporting.
- No Extended Security Updates: 24H2 Home and Pro are not eligible for ESU.
- Related: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 also reached the end of extended support on October 13. Microsoft points those fixed-purpose systems to Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, or paid ESU as a short-term bridge.
How the move works
For unmanaged devices, 25H2 should arrive automatically as a small enablement package, though users can schedule restarts or pause. To start manually, go to Settings, then Windows Update, then Check for updates.
What IT should do this week
- Inventory by build and edition. Separate 24H2 Home and Pro from 24H2 Enterprise and Education. Only the first group is out of support.
- Find stragglers. Look for devices paused, offline for a long time, or held back by deferral policies.
- Test your core stack on 25H2. VPN clients, endpoint detection and response, and disk encryption are the usual trouble spots.
- Check your update rings. Make sure Windows Update for Business or Intune policies are not blocking the 25H2 feature update.
- Prioritise exposed users. Remote and travelling staff on Pro devices are the highest risk if they stay unpatched.
Where to be skeptical
Enablement-package upgrades are usually smooth, but “usually” is not a deployment plan. Old drivers, third-party security agents and pinned policies cause most failures. Pilot first, and do not assume that a device showing “up to date” is on 25H2.
