Have not up to date your Home windows 11 PC shortly? Then you might end up on the outs with Microsoft.
Home windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 are not supported by the oldsters in Redmond. Because of this anybody nonetheless working these variations will not obtain future bug fixes, safety patches, or different updates. And that would place your laptop at a better threat for malware, safety flaws, and different threats.
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On Sunday, Microsoft revised its Windows 11 release information page to point the retirement of the 2 older variations, itemizing each 21H2 and 22H2 as having reached the tip of servicing for Home windows 11 House, Professional, Professional Schooling, and Professional for Workstations. Solely the Enterprise and Schooling editions are spared; they’re nonetheless in a position to obtain updates to Home windows 11 22H2 till October 14 of 2025.
How have you learnt which model you are working? That is simple sufficient. Head to Settings, choose System, after which click on About. Scroll right down to the part for Home windows specs to seek out the model. If Home windows 11 23H2 is listed, then you definitely’re high-quality. However what when you’re caught with an older version? In that case, you’ll be able to replace your PC your self, or Microsoft will now do it for you.
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Go to Settings, choose Home windows Replace, and click on the button for “Test for Updates.” Microsoft will obtain and set up the most recent updates, which is able to embrace 23H2. In case you do not do that your self and automated updates are turned on, the replace will routinely run as a part of this month’s Patch Tuesday, rolled out on September 10.
Preserving monitor of Home windows updates may be difficult and irritating, particularly with so lots of them pushed out on an everyday and irregular foundation. Microsoft has tried to streamline the foremost updates by launching them yearly and naming them with the 12 months and interval. However the names may be complicated since we’re nearly within the closing quarter of 2024 and Home windows 11 continues to be caught on a 2023 model. Within the midst of this messiness, ensuring your PC is totally protected towards safety hazards is probably the most vital activity.
On its Windows Message Center page, Microsoft issued this warning:
“The October 2024 safety replace is the final safety launch for Enterprise and Schooling editions of Home windows 11, model 21H2 and House and Professional editions of Home windows 11, model 22H2. After this date, units working these editions will not obtain month-to-month safety and preview updates containing protections from the most recent safety threats.”
Within the following message, Microsoft explains that it’ll carry out the replace when you fail to take action:
“To assist hold you protected and productive, Home windows Replace will routinely provoke a function replace for Home windows 11 House and Professional units that aren’t managed by IT departments when these are nearing finish of servicing. Shifting to Home windows 11, model 23H2 retains your machine supported and receiving month-to-month updates which might be vital to safety and ecosystem well being.”
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How lengthy will or not it’s earlier than Home windows 11 23H2 is not supported? That will depend on when 24H2 is launched to most of the people. Proper now, this 12 months’s main Home windows 11 replace is formally obtainable solely on Copilot PCs and through Release Preview builds. Let’s assume that 24H2 kicks off to everybody by the tip of 2024. Then the present taste of 23H2 ought to have no less than one other 12 months of life left earlier than Microsoft forces you to replace once more.