Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro will stop receiving security and quality updates after 13 October 2026. The computers will not suddenly stop working, but Microsoft will no longer fix newly discovered security problems or known faults in those editions.
Most business PCs using Windows 11 Pro should move to version 25H2 before the deadline. For PCs already on 24H2, Microsoft describes 25H2 as a small enablement update that normally needs one restart rather than a complete reinstall.
The key step is to check which Windows version every business PC is running now, then plan and test the update rather than waiting until October.
What has Microsoft announced?
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach the end of updates on 13 October 2026. The company repeated the warning in the release notes for its 27 August Windows 11 preview update, bringing the approaching deadline back into focus.
After the deadline, affected PCs will no longer receive:
- Monthly security updates protecting against newly discovered threats.
- Fixes for known Windows problems.
- Time-zone updates.
- Technical support for that Windows release.
This is a version deadline, not the end of Windows 11 itself. Windows 11 25H2 Home and Pro remain supported until October 2027.
Which business computers are affected?
The October 2026 deadline applies to Windows 11 version 24H2 running these editions:
- Windows 11 Home.
- Windows 11 Pro.
- Windows 11 Pro Education.
- Windows 11 Pro for Workstations.
Most small and medium-sized businesses use Windows 11 Pro, so this can affect ordinary office laptops and desktops even when the hardware itself is relatively new.
Windows 11 Enterprise and Education 24H2 are not on the same deadline. Microsoft lists those editions as supported until October 2027. Your IT provider or internal administrator should confirm both the version and edition before deciding what needs to change.
How can I check whether a PC is on Windows 11 24H2?
On each computer:
- Open Settings.
- Select System, then About.
- Look under Windows specifications.
- Check the entries for Edition and Version.
You can also press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. The window that opens will show the installed Windows version.
For a business with more than a handful of devices, checking them one by one is easy to miss. A device-management or remote-monitoring platform can produce an inventory across the organisation and identify PCs that have not updated.
What should businesses do before October?
- Inventory the whole estate. Record the Windows edition, version and device owner for every laptop and desktop, including remote and rarely used PCs.
- Bring 24H2 fully up to date. The 25H2 enablement package depends on a sufficiently recent monthly update.
- Test business-critical software. Check accounting applications, specialist databases, VPN clients, printer software and older device drivers on a small group first.
- Confirm that backups are working. Important business files should already be protected independently of the PC before any operating-system change.
- Move eligible PCs to Windows 11 25H2. Unmanaged PCs can check Settings > Windows Update. Managed devices should follow the organisation’s normal deployment process.
- Investigate update holds. If 25H2 is not offered, do not blindly force it. Microsoft may be blocking the update because of an application or driver compatibility issue.
- Recheck after deployment. Confirm the reported version, Windows Update status and operation of the applications staff rely upon.
Is the update likely to disrupt work?
Moving an up-to-date PC from Windows 11 24H2 to 25H2 should be lighter than a traditional feature upgrade. Microsoft says both releases share the same core system files, with a small enablement package switching on the 25H2 features. A restart is still required.
That does not mean businesses should update every device without testing. Drivers, security software and specialist applications can still influence the result. A controlled rollout to a few representative PCs gives time to catch problems before the wider deployment.
The 27 August optional preview update is separate from the 25H2 feature update. Businesses do not need to install a non-security preview merely because the support deadline is approaching.
Why does staying on 24H2 matter?
Unsupported Windows versions keep running, which can make the risk easy to overlook. The real change is that new security weaknesses discovered after the deadline may remain unpatched on that release.
That can also create questions around cyber insurance, security assessments and compliance obligations that expect supported, routinely patched operating systems. Endpoint protection remains important, but it cannot replace security fixes from the operating-system vendor.
The same principle applies to older machines still running Windows 10. See our guide on why unsupported Windows 10 creates a growing business risk.
WINDOWS VERSION CHECK
Not sure which business PCs need updating?
KES can inventory your Windows devices, identify 24H2 systems, test business applications and plan a controlled move to a supported release for businesses across Kent.
Quick answers
When does Windows 11 24H2 support end?
Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro stop receiving updates after 13 October 2026. Enterprise and Education 24H2 have a later support date in October 2027.
Will a Windows 11 24H2 PC stop working?
No. It will continue to start and run, but it will no longer receive new security fixes, quality updates or Microsoft support for that release.
What version should a 24H2 business PC move to?
For most existing Windows 11 24H2 PCs, version 25H2 is the normal next supported release. Managed organisations should test compatibility and use their established deployment controls.
Why is Windows 11 25H2 a relatively small update from 24H2?
Microsoft says the two versions share the same core operating-system files. A small enablement package activates the 25H2 features, normally with a single restart.
What if Windows Update does not offer 25H2?
The device may be managed by your organisation or subject to a compatibility hold. Check with your IT provider before forcing the upgrade.
The important point
This is a manageable deadline, but only if businesses identify affected PCs before the final month. Windows 11 24H2 Pro systems will keep working after October, yet they will be outside their security-update window.
Check the edition and version across every device, validate business-critical applications, confirm backups and plan the move to Windows 11 25H2 in controlled stages.
Sources
- Microsoft: KB5120998 release notes — published 27 August 2026.
- Microsoft Lifecycle: products ending support in 2026.
- Microsoft: What is new in Windows 11 version 25H2 for IT professionals.
- Microsoft: 25H2 enablement package guidance.
This article reflects Microsoft’s published support information on 30 August 2026. Organisations should check Microsoft’s live lifecycle and release-health pages before deployment.
