Microsoft Discontinues Support for Windows 11 Versions 22H2 and 21H2

Alongside the rollout of this month’s Patch Tuesday updates for all versions of Windows currently in support, Microsoft has ceased support for two specific iterations of Windows 11: versions 21H2 and 22H2. If your system is operating on either of these editions, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a newer version.

As of now, Windows 11 version 21H2 is fully unsupported. For those unfamiliar with Microsoft’s policy on Windows support, the company follows a dual lifecycle model for each release: a 24-month duration for Home and Pro editions and a 36-month span for Enterprise and Education editions. Regular updates for Windows 11 version 21H2 for “typical consumers”concluded in October 2023, and now support has also been removed for business and educational users still on the initial release from late 2021.

Enterprise users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 version 22H2, which has an additional year of active support remaining. Alternatives include version 23H2 (which offers two more years of support) and the newly released version 24H2 (promising three years of future support).

For Home and Pro users on version 22H2, updates will not be available starting today. Although Microsoft generally avoids forcing upgrades between versions while they are still supported, they begin to nudge users toward newer versions as the end of life for a particular release approaches. It is possible to upgrade even without official hardware support; all you need is this useful guide.

To determine your current Windows 11 version, navigate to Settings > System > About and review the “Windows Specifications“section. If it indicates 21H2 or 22H2, it’s essential to plan an update to ensure you continue receiving vital security fixes and improvements.

For clarity, here’s the current support schedule for Windows 11:

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