Windows 11 versions 21H2 and 22H2 reach end-of-live in Oct. 2024

[German]A small note for users of Windows 11 who are still on versions 21H2 (e.g. Enterprise) or 22H2 (Home, Pro). These versions will reach the end of support on the October 2024 patch day and will then receive security updates for the last time. For unmanaged Windows 11 systems, Microsoft will then carry out a forced update to the next higher version that is still in support.

Reminder from Microsoft

I haven't discussed it in the blog yet – it's not on fire – but Microsoft has already addressed the whole thing on September 9, 2024. Since this date, there has been an entry 330-Day Reminder: Upcoming end of servicing date for some editions of Windows 11, versions 21H2 and 22H2 in the Message Center of the Windows 11 Release Health Status Dashboard. The 30-day reminder indicates the end of support for certain Windows 11 versions on October 8, 2024:

• Windows 11, version 21H2 (Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions) and
• Windows 11, version 22H2 (Home and Pro editions)

On the one hand, this means that these Windows 11 versions will no longer receive support from Microsoft. On the other hand, this date is the last date on which these Windows versions will receive the monthly security update. The last preview update will be distributed today, September 24, 2024. In other words, these Windows 11 versions will then be "dead" in terms of their protection against vulnerabilities or bug fixes.

Feature update to next version

On all systems not managed by IT departments with Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro, version 22H2, Microsoft will perform an automatic function update to Windows 11 version 23H2. This Windows 11 version is still supported by Microsoft. How to obtain this Windows 11 version is described here.

For managed systems (Windows 11 version 21H2) from the Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions, the administrators concerned must take action and convert the systems (if they have not already done so).

Detailed information can be found on the lifecycle pages for Windows 11 Enterprise and Education, Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, and Windows 11 Home und Pro. For information on maintenance schedules and the lifecycle, see Windows 11 release information, Lifecycle FAQ – Windows, and Microsoft Lifecycle Policy search tool.