Last updated: October 21, 2026. Microsoft rolls out Windows features in stages and changes support terms often, so confirm details in Settings > Windows Update and on Microsoft’s lifecycle pages. This guide is informational and is not affiliated with Microsoft. Back up important files before any major update.
If your Windows 11 PC is still on version 24H2 and runs the Home or Pro edition, it stopped receiving security updates this month. Microsoft’s lifecycle page lists the end of servicing for 24H2 Home and Pro as October 13, 2026 (Pacific time). The fix is quick for most people: Windows 11 26H2 installs through a very small “enablement package,” needs one restart and extends your support to October 2028. Here is how to check where you stand and how to get it safely.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro ended servicing on October 13, 2026, so those PCs no longer get monthly security updates.
- Windows 11 25H2 is supported until October 13, 2027, and 26H2 (available since September 29, 2026) until October 10, 2028, for Home and Pro.
- PCs on 24H2 or 25H2 can move to 26H2 with a small enablement package (reported as KB5121794, roughly 174KB) and one restart.
- The rollout is staged. If the update does not appear, turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” in Windows Update.
- Enterprise and Education editions of 24H2 stay supported until October 12, 2027.
Support Dates at a Glance
| Windows 11 version | Home and Pro support ends | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 24H2 | October 13, 2026 (Pacific time) | No more security updates |
| 25H2 | October 13, 2027 | Supported |
| 26H2 | October 10, 2028 | Supported, rolling out |
These dates come from Microsoft’s Windows 11 Home and Pro lifecycle listing, which shows the end of servicing at 6:59 a.m. UTC on the following day. Some news reports quote different dates, so rely on Microsoft’s page for your edition.
Step 1: Check Which Version You Have
- Press the Windows key + R, type
winverand press Enter. - Read the version number (24H2, 25H2 or 26H2) and the edition name in the box. You can also use Settings > System > About.
- If you are on 24H2 Home or Pro, upgrade now. If you are on 25H2, you are supported for another year, but the same steps apply when you want to move.
Step 2: Install Windows 11 26H2
- Back up files you care about to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Open Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates first. The 26H2 package expects the September 22 preview update (KB5124010) or a later cumulative update to be installed.
- Turn on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” to be offered 26H2 sooner.
- Select Check for updates, then download and install the Windows 11, version 26H2 feature update when it appears.
- Restart once when prompted, then run
winveragain to confirm.
Microsoft says that if the update is ready for your device it will download and install automatically with a single restart. Because it is an enablement package, the code is already on your PC through earlier cumulative updates, which is why the download is tiny. If you do not see it, your device may be waiting behind a staged rollout or a compatibility hold. Waiting a few days and checking again is normal.
Who Cannot Take This Route
- Windows 11 versions older than 24H2: they need a full feature update first.
- Select new PCs shipping with 26H1: these use a different Windows core and are expected to get a path to a later release rather than 26H2.
- Windows 10 PCs: these have a different upgrade path. See our guide to Windows 10 Extended Security Updates through October 2027 if you are not ready to move to Windows 11.
What the October Update Added
The October 13 cumulative update (KB5127648) moved builds to 26300.9711 on 26H2, 26200.9711 on 25H2 and 26100.9711 on 24H2. According to hands-on coverage from Windows Latest, features arrive gradually, so you may not see them immediately. Reported changes include:
- File Explorer previewing downloaded PDFs again, after that was blocked for security reasons in October 2025.
- Options to remap the Copilot key on keyboards that have one.
- An accessibility option to open apps maximized, and touchpad edge-scrolling improvements.
- Fixes for a File History backup bug, Bluetooth audio problems and a built-in camera issue.
- Removal of the PC-to-PC Migration tool, with Microsoft pointing users to Windows Backup instead.
Known Issues and Precautions
As of early October, TechRepublic listed three mitigated issues with 26H2: some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices, some domain-joined systems protected by Credential Guard, and desktop-loading problems mainly in virtual desktop setups. Microsoft may also place safeguard holds on devices with known compatibility problems, which is why an offer can be delayed. Organizations using old or cross-signed drivers should test on a small group first.
One more item worth checking: Windows Latest reports that the Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 Secure Boot certificate was due to expire on October 19, 2026. To check your status, open Windows Security > Device security > Secure Boot, keep Windows Update on and look for a firmware update from your PC maker. This is a secondary-source report, so confirm with Microsoft or your manufacturer if your PC shows a warning.
Basic Security Habits While You Update
An updated system is only part of staying safe. Turn on a password manager and consider moving key accounts to passkeys, which our explainer on passkeys versus passwords covers step by step. Download updates only through Windows Update or Microsoft’s official pages, and ignore pop-ups or sites offering a “26H2 installer” from third parties.
FAQ
Will my 24H2 PC stop working?
No. It keeps running, but it no longer receives monthly security updates, which raises risk over time.
Is Windows 11 26H2 a big download?
For PCs on 24H2 or 25H2 it is a small enablement package, reported at about 174KB, plus a restart.
Do I need new hardware?
Not if your PC already runs 24H2 or 25H2, since the system requirements are the same.
Why don’t I see the update?
Rollouts are staged and compatibility holds can apply. Install pending updates, turn on the early-updates toggle and check again in a few days.
Are Enterprise PCs affected?
Enterprise and Education 24H2 remain supported until October 12, 2027, per Microsoft’s guidance.
The Bottom Line
If you use Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, treat this as a today task: check your version, install pending updates and take the 26H2 enablement package for support through October 2028. It is a five-minute upgrade for most PCs, and staying unpatched is the real risk.
Sources: Microsoft Learn Windows 11 Home and Pro lifecycle page; BleepingComputer on 24H2 end of support; TechRepublic on the 26H2 enablement package; Windows Latest on the October 2026 update; PCWorld on 26H2.
