Windows 11 receives a major version update roughly every year, but Microsoft doesn’t support every release forever. Each version has its own end-of-support date, after which Microsoft stops providing regular security and quality updates.

Knowing when your version of Windows 11 reaches the end of support is important. Once a release becomes unsupported, continuing to use it can leave your PC without fixes for newly discovered security vulnerabilities.

The confusing part is that Windows 11 support periods depend on the edition you have installed. Home and Pro editions don’t follow exactly the same lifecycle as Enterprise and Education, while LTSC releases have significantly longer support periods.

In this guide, you’ll find the current Windows 11 end-of-support dates, including Windows 11 26H2, 26H1, 25H2, 24H2, older releases, Enterprise LTSC, and IoT Enterprise LTSC. I’ll also show you how to check exactly which Windows 11 version is installed on your PC.

Windows 11 Home and Pro End-of-Support Dates

Let’s start with the editions most commonly found on consumer PCs.

Microsoft generally provides approximately two years of support for each Windows 11 Home and Pro feature update. During that period, Windows Update continues delivering monthly security updates and quality improvements.

Once a version reaches its end-of-support date, Microsoft no longer provides those regular updates for that specific release.

Here is the current lifecycle for Windows 11 Home and Pro:

These dates apply to Windows 11 Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations.

Windows 11 SE followed the same general support schedule, but Microsoft discontinued the edition with version 24H2. It therefore doesn’t continue into newer releases such as 25H2 or 26H2.

What does this mean for Windows 11 24H2 users?

If your PC is still running Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, its support ends on October 13, 2026.

That means users who haven’t moved to a newer supported release should plan their upgrade before that date.

Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2 have substantially later support deadlines.

Windows 11 Enterprise and Education Have Longer Support

Windows 11 Enterprise and Education editions follow a different lifecycle.

Microsoft generally supports these feature releases for approximately three years, giving organizations an additional year compared with Home and Pro editions.

Here are the current end-of-support dates:

The longer lifecycle is particularly useful for businesses and schools that need additional time to test applications, drivers, policies, and hardware before deploying a new Windows release.

What About Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC?

Windows 11 also includes LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) editions.

Unlike standard Windows 11 releases, LTSC versions are designed for specialized business environments and devices where maintaining a stable operating system for several years is more important than receiving frequent feature updates.

As a result, their support lifecycles are considerably longer.

The difference becomes particularly significant with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024.

This edition has a 10-year lifecycle, providing support through 2034.

However, LTSC editions aren’t intended to be a general-purpose alternative for ordinary Windows 11 Home or Pro users. They’re targeted at specific enterprise and embedded-device scenarios.

Windows 11 26H1 Is a Special Case

Windows 11 26H1 can be confusing because it doesn’t behave like the feature updates that Windows users have become accustomed to.

Microsoft designed 26H1 primarily for new hardware and a new generation of processors. It is not a normal feature update that Microsoft offers to existing Windows 11 PCs through Windows Update.

In other words, if your computer is running Windows 11 25H2 and Windows Update doesn’t offer 26H1, that isn’t necessarily a problem.

Microsoft’s 26H1 release strategy is different from the normal annual feature-update path.

Certain PCs sold with newer hardware in 2026 can ship with Windows 11 26H1 preinstalled, while existing systems follow their applicable upgrade path.

This is why the presence of 26H1 in Microsoft’s lifecycle tables shouldn’t be interpreted as meaning that every Windows 11 PC can simply upgrade from 25H2 to 26H1.

What Happens When Windows 11 Reaches End of Support?

A Windows 11 PC doesn’t suddenly stop working when its version reaches the end of support.

You can generally continue to:

• Start Windows normally
• Open applications
• Access your files
• Browse the web
• Connect to networks
• Use your existing hardware

The major problem is what happens behind the scenes.

Microsoft stops providing regular security updates and quality fixes for that specific Windows release.

If a new security vulnerability is discovered after the support deadline, an unsupported version may not receive the corresponding security patch.

That can increase the security risks associated with continuing to use an outdated Windows installation.

For this reason, Microsoft recommends moving to a supported version of Windows.

On many consumer PCs, Windows Update may also automatically initiate a feature update when the installed version approaches or reaches its end of servicing, provided the device is eligible for the newer release.

How to Check Which Version of Windows 11 You Have

Before checking the support table, you first need to know which Windows 11 release is installed on your computer.

The easiest method is the built-in winver command.

Step 1: Open the Run dialog

Press:

Windows + R

This opens the Windows Run dialog.

Step 2: Enter winver

Type:

winver

Then press Enter.

Step 3: Check your Windows version

A window called About Windows will appear.

Look for the version number.

Depending on your installation, you may see something like:

• Windows 11 Version 24H2
• Windows 11 Version 25H2
• Windows 11 Version 26H1
• Windows 11 Version 26H2

Once you know the version, compare it with the appropriate table above.

Remember that your Windows edition also matters.

For example, Windows 11 26H2 Home/Pro and Windows 11 26H2 Enterprise/Education have different end-of-support dates.

You Can Also Check Your Windows Edition

If you’re not sure whether you’re using Home, Pro, Enterprise, or another edition, you can check it in Windows Settings.

Open:

Settings → System → About

Under Windows specifications, you’ll find information such as:

• Edition
• Version
• Installed date
• OS build

The Edition field tells you which Windows 11 licensing/support category applies to your PC, while the Version field identifies the feature update.

For example:

Edition: Windows 11 Pro
Version: 26H2

You can then use the Home/Pro table to determine the applicable support deadline.

Windows 11 End-of-Support Dates at a Glance

For typical consumer PCs, the most important dates to remember are:

If you’re running Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, October 13, 2026 is therefore the date to keep in mind.

What Should You Do Before Your Windows 11 Version Expires?

If your current version is approaching its end-of-support date, you don’t necessarily need to reinstall Windows from scratch.

First, check Windows Update:

Settings → Windows Update

Select Check for updates and see whether a newer Windows 11 release is available for your PC.

If Microsoft offers a newer supported version, follow the upgrade process.

Before a major operating system upgrade, it’s still a good idea to:

1. Back up important files.
2. Make sure Windows is fully updated.
3. Check that you have enough free storage.
4. Make sure important applications are compatible.
5. Verify that your critical peripherals have supported drivers.
6. Keep your laptop connected to AC power during the upgrade.

If Windows Update doesn’t immediately offer a newer release, don’t assume that your PC is unsupported. Microsoft frequently uses a staged rollout, and compatibility safeguards can delay an update for particular hardware or software configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Windows 11 supported?

It depends on the edition.

Windows 11 Home and Pro feature releases generally receive about two years of support, while Enterprise and Education releases generally receive about three years.

LTSC editions have substantially longer support lifecycles.

When does Windows 11 24H2 reach end of support?

For Windows 11 Home and Pro, 24H2 reaches end of support on October 13, 2026.

Enterprise and Education editions of 24H2 are supported until October 12, 2027.

When does Windows 11 25H2 reach end of support?

Windows 11 25H2 Home and Pro reach end of support on October 12, 2027.

Enterprise and Education editions are supported until October 10, 2028.

When does Windows 11 26H2 reach end of support?

Windows 11 26H2 Home and Pro are supported until October 9, 2028.

Enterprise and Education editions are supported until October 10, 2029.

Does Windows stop working after end of support?

No. Windows doesn’t automatically shut down or become unusable when its support period ends.

However, Microsoft stops providing regular security and quality updates for that version, which means continuing to use it can increase security risks.

How do I check my Windows 11 version?

Press Windows + R, type:

winver

and press Enter.

The resulting About Windows window displays your Windows version.

You can also open Settings → System → About to see your Windows edition and version.

Is Windows 11 26H1 available as a normal upgrade?

Not in the same way as Microsoft’s regular feature updates. Windows 11 26H1 was designed for specific new hardware and isn’t simply offered as a standard upgrade path to every existing Windows 11 installation.

Does Windows 11 Enterprise have longer support than Home?

Yes. Standard Enterprise and Education releases generally receive a longer servicing period than Home and Pro releases.

What is Windows 11 LTSC?

LTSC stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel. These editions are designed for specialized enterprise and embedded scenarios that require a long period of stability and servicing rather than frequent feature updates.

Conclusion

Windows 11 doesn’t have one single end-of-support date. The deadline depends on both the version and the edition installed on your PC.

For most home users, the key distinction is between Home/Pro and Enterprise/Education. Home and Pro releases generally receive around two years of support, while Enterprise and Education releases typically receive around three.

If you’re still running Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro, October 13, 2026 is particularly important because that’s when regular support ends for that release.

Checking your version takes only a few seconds: press Windows + R, enter winver, and compare the displayed version with the appropriate lifecycle table.

If your version is approaching its end-of-support date, plan the move to a newer supported Windows 11 release rather than waiting until the last minute. Keeping Windows updated is one of the simplest ways to continue receiving Microsoft’s monthly security fixes.