Managed IT
What is managed IT and when does an SMB need it?
What is managed IT, what does it cover and when does an SMB need it? In-house vs outsourced comparison and 5 signs it's time to switch.
Windows 11 24H2 end of support arrived on 13 October 2026 for the Home and Pro editions. Around the same time, Microsoft released its new annual version, 26H2. For your business this isn’t an emergency — but it is a security action you shouldn’t postpone. Here’s what happened and what to do.
When did Windows 11 24H2 support end?
Microsoft refreshes Windows 11 once a year, and every version has its own support timeline. When support ends, that version stops receiving security updates — leaving it exposed to newly discovered vulnerabilities. Here’s where things stand:
| Version | Status | End of support |
|---|---|---|
| 24H2 (Home / Pro) | End of updates | 13 October 2026 |
| 24H2 (Enterprise / Education) | Supported | 12 October 2027 |
| 25H2 (all editions) | Supported | 12 October 2027 |
| 26H2 (2026 Update) | New — 29 September 2026 | Fresh support window |
So if the PCs in your office run Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, they no longer receive security patches as of this date. On Enterprise or Education you have another year — but that’s no reason to wait.
What is Windows 11 26H2?
26H2 is Windows 11’s 2026 annual update. The good news: it isn’t a big, disruptive release. If you’re already on 24H2 or 25H2, 26H2 arrives as a small “enablement package” — it doesn’t reinstall the system; it simply bumps the version number and switches on features that are already present. It installs in a few minutes and needs no rebuild.
Important exception: Devices on the uncommon interim 26H1 build can’t upgrade directly to 26H2 because of a different kernel. Most corporate devices run 24H2 or 25H2, so this usually isn’t an issue — but if you have 26H1 in your fleet, it needs a separate upgrade path.
Why this matters for your business
A single un-updated PC can be an entry point into your whole network. On an unsupported version:
- Newly discovered vulnerabilities aren’t patched — raising the risk of ransomware and data breaches.
- Some applications and services begin to require a supported Windows version.
- Security and compliance audits (KVKK, sector regulations) expect “current and supported systems.”
For businesses that handle customer data, operate under regulation, or work in sensitive sectors, this isn’t a technical detail — it’s a compliance and risk issue.
What to do when Windows 11 24H2 support ends
1. Check your version
Press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. The window shows your version (24H2, 25H2, etc.).
2. Apply the update
Go to Settings → Windows Update and check for updates. On eligible devices you’ll see the option to move to 25H2 or 26H2. For current status and known issues, follow Microsoft’s Windows release health page.
3. Manage your fleet centrally
For a single PC this is easy. But tracking 10, 20 or 50 machines, checking eligibility and scheduling updates is a job of its own. That’s where centralized update management (Windows Update for Business / Intune) comes in — rolling updates out in a staged, controlled, uninterrupted way. We handle this end to end as part of our managed IT service.
Let us handle this for you
At MTDE Tech we manage businesses’ Windows and Microsoft 365 infrastructure end to end: version tracking, security updates, central deployment and compliance. Let us assess which versions your devices run and whether they carry risk — free of charge. Get in touch →
This article is for information purposes. Version and support dates are based on Microsoft’s official announcements and may change over time.
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