Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends October 13: What to Do

Windows 11 version 24H2 reaches end of servicing for Home and Pro on October 13, 2026. That day's Patch Tuesday update is the last one 24H2 Home and Pro PCs will get. After it, they get no more security fixes. The fix is quick: moving to 25H2 or 26H2 is a small enablement package that installs in a few minutes, with no full reinstall.

What ends on October 13

Microsoft's lifecycle page lists the end of servicing for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro as October 13, 2026. After that date, those PCs get:

• No monthly security updates
• No optional preview updates or bug fixes
• No Microsoft support for that version

Your PC keeps working. It just stops receiving patches, so every security hole found after October 13 stays open. Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions of 24H2 are on a longer schedule and get updates until October 12, 2027.

How to check your Windows 11 version

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type winver and press Enter.
3. Read the line that says Version. 24H2 shows OS build 26100.

You can also open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. If you see 25H2 or 26H2, you are already covered and can skip the rest.

How to move off 24H2

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If you see Windows 11, version 26H2 (or 25H2) offered, click Download and install.
4. Restart when asked.

24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share the same code base. The newer versions arrive as a small switch that turns on features already on your PC, so the whole thing usually takes one restart. Take whichever version Windows Update offers. 26H2 gives you the longest runway, with support until October 2028. For what the new version adds, see what is new in Windows 11.

Microsoft has in past years pushed the feature update automatically to Home and Pro PCs nearing end of servicing. Do not wait for that. Updating yourself lets you pick the time of the restart.

What the last 24H2 update brings

The October 13 update rolls in the features Microsoft tested in the September preview update for 24H2 (KB5124010). Microsoft says they arrive gradually, so not every PC gets all of them on day one:

• Remap the Copilot key. A new setting lets you make the Copilot key work as Right Ctrl or the Context Menu key. If you would rather remove Copilot entirely, see how to disable Copilot in Windows 11.
• Open apps maximized. Under Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects, app windows can open at full size automatically.
• File Explorer fixes. Home remembers which sections you collapsed, the Details pane is easier to read, and PDFs preview without an extra click.
• Touchpad edge scrolling. Scroll with one finger along the left or right edge of the touchpad.
• Emoji 17.0 and a new Tips widget.

Microsoft also notes that PC-to-PC Migration in Windows Backup is no longer available.

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