Microsoft has just warned Windows 11 users that if they are not running the latest version of the operating system, 23H2, their installation will soon become unsupported. This means that critical security updates will no longer be delivered.
In a 90-day reminder – which, as the name suggests, comes three months before end of support – Microsoft has informed Windows 11 Home and Pro users that they will soon no longer be able to safely remain on Windows 11 22H2. The exact date to mark on your calendar as the official end of support is October 8, 2024.
Additionally, business (or education) users who are still on 21H2 (the very first version of Windows 11) will also no longer be supported (for consumers, that deadline has already passed, in case you were wondering).
In short, it’s Windows 23H2 or the highway, in October 2024 – so you’ve been warned. Microsoft notes: “The upcoming October 2024 security update, releasing 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 that provide protection against the latest security threats.”
Analysis: Upgrade now, or soon – or be forced to (maybe)
We’re saying that Windows 11 22H2 users should upgrade to the latest version now, which is 23H2, but it may not be the most recent version of the operating system in October 2024. Remember, the 24H2 update is reportedly coming in September, so October will likely be available, although that’s not certain.
So, some people might want to wait a little longer and maybe jump right into 24H2. Either way, you’re going to have to do something in October, because you can’t stay on 22H2 (or 21H2) and keep your PC protected. As Microsoft notes, without security updates, you’re leaving yourself open to unpatched holes and potential exploits that the bad guys (TM) can exploit.
What Microsoft normally does in these types of situations, after the deadline, to keep non-upgraders safe, is force updates (in this case to 23H2), though the company only mentions implementing this for “Windows 11 corporate devices that are not managed by IT departments” in its support document.
Normally this statement would also apply to consumer devices, but strangely enough they are not mentioned here. Unless Microsoft has changed its policy (unlikely, we think, but possible, we think), this may be a mistake.
Through Newwin