Microsoft ends support for older Windows 11 versions

Microsoft is ending security updates for several older versions of Windows 11, as reported by technology news outlets. This means that these versions will no longer receive critical security patches, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited by malicious actors.

Security updates stop in October 2026

The Windows 11 24H2 version, released in October 2024, will stop receiving security updates on October 13, 2026. However, Enterprise and Education versions of this release will get an extra year of support, extending their update period until October 13, 2027.

Other versions also lose support soon

The 23H2 Education and Enterprise versions, along with the IoT versions, will stop receiving security updates starting next month. Users of these versions are advised to upgrade to newer Windows 11 versions to maintain security protections and avoid potential threats.

Newer version uses less RAM

The more recent 26H2 version of Windows 11 is said to use less RAM, which could make computers run faster and more efficiently. This improvement might be especially beneficial for users with older or lower-spec hardware.

How to check Windows version

Users who are unsure which version of Windows 11 they are running can check by opening the Settings app, navigating to the "System" tab, and looking for the "About" menu. Another method is to open the command prompt using the Windows + R shortcut and entering the command "winver" to display the version information.

Users urged to update for security

Those affected by the end of support are encouraged to install available updates through Settings and Windows Update. This helps protect their devices from viruses, malware, and other security threats that could exploit outdated software.