Microsoft Warns Windows 11 24H2 and Windows 10 LTSB 2016 Support Ends Soon

Microsoft has issued a 90-day reminder for two Windows versions approaching the end of support.

Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 will stop receiving support on October 13, 2026. After that date, affected devices will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or other software improvements.

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro Support Ends in October

Windows 11 Home and Pro releases generally receive 24 months of support from Microsoft.

The company recommends that users running Windows 11 version 24H2 upgrade to version 25H2 before the October deadline. Devices that remain on version 24H2 could become exposed to vulnerabilities that Microsoft discovers after support ends.

Microsoft may automatically install a newer supported Windows version on eligible consumer devices as the deadline approaches.

Enterprise and Education Editions Get Another Year

The October deadline does not apply to Windows 11 version 24H2 Enterprise and Education editions.

Microsoft provides these editions with a longer support lifecycle. Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise and Education will continue receiving updates until October 12, 2027.

Organizations using these editions therefore have another year to test applications, prepare devices, and plan their upgrades.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 Reaches End of Support

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 will also reach the end of extended support on October 13, 2026.

The operating system received five years of mainstream support, followed by five years of extended support. Microsoft recommends moving affected systems to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2024.

Organizations that cannot complete the migration before the deadline can purchase Extended Security Updates separately.

Extended Security Updates Only Cover Security Fixes

Microsoft recently extended the broader Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program through October 2027.

ESUs provide patches for supported security vulnerabilities after a Windows release reaches the end of its normal lifecycle. They do not include new features, design changes, or full technical support.

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 requires a separate ESU purchase and does not automatically qualify through the broader Windows 10 program.

Unsupported Devices Face Growing Security Risks

Devices running unsupported Windows versions will not receive fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities. This could leave them exposed to malware, ransomware, and other cyberattacks.

Users and organizations should upgrade before October 13 to keep their systems protected and supported.

In other security news, Microsoft fixed 570 vulnerabilities with its July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates.

The company has also expanded its AI security strategy and warned organizations against postponing software updates as attackers increasingly use AI tools to discover and exploit security weaknesses.

Via Neowin