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| Windows 11 24H2 Losing Support October 13 |
If your work laptop is running Windows 11, version 24H2, on the Home or Pro edition, it's worth checking right now whether you need to take action, because Microsoft has confirmed these editions stop receiving updates, including security updates, on October 13, 2026. For anyone working remotely and handling company data on a personal or lightly-managed device, this is worth addressing promptly rather than putting off.
What "End of Updates" Actually Means
Once a Windows version reaches this point, your computer keeps working exactly as it did the day before — nothing breaks automatically. What changes is that Microsoft stops releasing security patches, bug fixes, and other updates for that specific version. Over time, this means any newly discovered security vulnerability in Windows 11 24H2 simply never gets fixed on your machine, while attackers continue to find and exploit exactly these kinds of unpatched gaps.
For remote work specifically, this matters more than it might for a casual home computer, since you're likely handling company accounts, files, and possibly a VPN connection to sensitive systems.
Step 1: Check What Version You're Actually Running
Before assuming this applies to you, confirm your exact version.
How to check: Press the Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter. A window will show your exact Windows version. If it says "Version 24H2," this deadline applies to your device specifically.
If you're on a different version already — including the newer 25H2 — this specific deadline doesn't apply to you, though it's always worth staying generally current regardless.
Step 2: Confirm Whether You're on Home/Pro or a Different Edition
This specific October 13 deadline applies to Home and Pro editions. If your work laptop is running Windows 11 Enterprise or Education edition, which is common on company-managed devices, those editions typically have a longer support timeline and this particular deadline may not apply — check with your IT department if you're unsure which edition you're running, which is also shown in the same Settings page as your version number.
Step 3: Update to Windows 11 25H2
For most Home and Pro edition users, the path forward is straightforward: updating to the newer 25H2 version through the normal Windows Update process resolves this entirely, and it's a free, standard update rather than a new purchase.
How to do it:
- Open Settings → Windows Update
- Click "Check for updates"
- If Windows 11, version 25H2 is offered, select it and allow it to install
- Restart when prompted to complete the update
This is worth doing proactively rather than waiting, since update rollouts can take time to reach every device, and starting the process well before the deadline avoids any last-minute rush.
Step 4: If Your Laptop Is Company-Managed, Check With IT First
If your work laptop is provided and managed by your employer, don't simply run this update independently without checking first. Company-managed devices sometimes have update timing controlled centrally, additional software that needs to be verified compatible with a new Windows version first, or a different versioning policy altogether. A quick message to IT confirming whether this applies to your specific device, and whether they want to manage the update themselves, avoids any conflict with how they manage the fleet of company devices.
Step 5: If You Can't Update Right Away
Some devices may not be eligible for 25H2 immediately, or you may have a specific reason to delay. In that case, basic security hygiene becomes more important to compensate, at least temporarily:
- Make sure your antivirus/security software is current and actively running
- Be extra cautious with email links and attachments, since phishing is one of the most common ways an unpatched vulnerability actually gets exploited
- Avoid installing new, unfamiliar software on the device during this window
- Prioritize getting the update done as soon as it's practical, rather than treating this as a long-term state
Step 6: Use This as a Prompt for Broader Device Hygiene
If you're already checking your Windows version for this deadline, it's a reasonable moment to also confirm a few other things covered elsewhere on this site are in good shape: that full disk encryption is enabled, as covered in our guide on setting up a personal laptop for work safely, and that your other software — browser, VPN client, antivirus — is reasonably current rather than months behind.
A Fast Action Checklist
- Press Windows key + R, type
winver, check your version - If it says 24H2 on Home or Pro, this deadline applies to you
- If your laptop is company-managed, check with IT before updating independently
- If it's your own device, go to Settings → Windows Update and update to 25H2
- If you can't update immediately, be extra cautious with email and new software until you can
Quick Reference
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 24H2, Home or Pro, personal device | Update to 25H2 via Windows Update as soon as practical |
| Windows 11 24H2, company-managed device | Check with IT before updating independently |
| Already on 25H2 or a different version | This specific deadline doesn't apply to you |
| Running Enterprise or Education edition | Check with IT — timeline often differs from Home/Pro |
This information reflects Microsoft's published support timeline as of this writing. Always confirm current details directly through Settings → Windows Update or with your IT department, since rollout timing and eligibility can vary by device.