End-of-Support Announcement: Microsoft 2026 to Affect Windows 11 24H2, Office 2021, and Additional Products

In an important announcement, Microsoft has revealed plans to discontinue support for a range of products by 2026, including Windows 11 24H2. Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, Windows 11 continues to evolve, and we can expect updates on Microsoft’s future strategies soon. Additionally, support will also be ending for Office LTSC 2021 across both Windows and macOS platforms.

With a history of phasing out various products, Microsoft simultaneously demonstrates a commitment to enhancing backward compatibility and offering extended support for many of its solutions. Each year marks a transition where customers are encouraged to upgrade as certain products reach their end of support.

End of Support for Windows 11 24H2 in October 2026

Following the discontinuation of support for Windows 11 23H2 in 2025, Windows 11 24H2 is set to follow a similar trajectory. Released on October 1, 2024, Windows 11 24H2 has almost a year and a half of lifecycle remaining. According to the official support document, support for Windows 11 24H2 will conclude on October 4, 2026. Post this date, users will no longer receive updates for the 24H2 version and will need to transition to Windows 11 25H2.

This shift isn’t necessarily negative; the Windows 11 25H2 is an enablement package and shares the same platform foundation as version 24H2. Consequently, the upgrade experience should be seamless, retaining essential features like the new Start menu and updated battery icons.

Microsoft has indicated that automatic upgrades to Windows 11 25H2 will commence shortly for existing 24H2 installations.

Support for Windows 11 23H2: Enterprise, Education, and IoT Editions

While support for Windows 11 23H2 for consumer editions (Home and Pro) ended in November 2025, the Enterprise edition will continue to be supported until November 10, 2026. After this date, updates for Windows 11 23H2 specifically for Enterprise, Education, and IoT versions will also cease.

Upcoming Support End for Office 2021

This year marks a critical transition for Office 2021, officially ending its support on October 13, 2026. This version was launched on October 5, 2021, and will soon be succeeded by Office 2024.

Customers will have around ten months to decide between transitioning to Office 2024 (available as a standalone license) or Microsoft 365, a subscription-based service billed monthly or annually. Note that upgrading directly from Office 2021 to Office 2024 is not possible, as they are distinct products, necessitating the purchase of an Office 2024 license once Office 2021 support concludes. While Office 2021 won’t become unusable post-October 13, 2026, it will no longer receive important updates.

For those averse to subscription models, Office 2024 offers support until October 9, 2029, allowing for a more flexible purchasing approach.

Complete List of Microsoft Products Losing Support in 2026:

.NET 9: Support ends on November 10, 2026. Developers should upgrade to. NET 10 (LTS) or another supported LTS release to ensure security and functionality.(Microsoft Learn)
.NET 8 (LTS): Support ends on November 10, 2026.
PowerShell 7.4 (LTS): Support ends on November 10, 2026.
Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2: Extended Security Updates (ESU) Year 3 concludes on October 13, 2026. Following this date, no further ESU security updates will be available, and an upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server will be necessary.

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