Windows 11 24H2 End of Support: What to Do Next (2026)

Windows 11 version 24H2 was a solid release, but it will not be supported forever. Microsoft has confirmed that the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 24H2 reach end of support on October 13, 2026, which means no more security updates for those devices after that date.

This guide explains exactly what ends, which editions are affected, and how to move to Windows 11 25H2 without losing your files or your settings.

PAGE CONTENT

• Windows 11 24H2 End of Support Date
• What Stops After October 13, 2026
• Which Editions Are Affected
• How to Check Your Windows 11 Version
• Upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2
• If Your PC Cannot Upgrade to 25H2
• Prepare Your PC Before the Upgrade
• FAQs About Windows 11 24H2 End of Support
• Back Up and Restore Windows with Qiling Disk Master

Windows 11 24H2 End of Support Date

Windows 11, version 24H2 (also written as Windows 11 2024 Update) was released in October 2024. Its support window for consumer editions is roughly two years, and the clock runs out in late 2026.

In short, if you run Windows 11 Home or Pro and your PC says 24H2, the October 2026 date is the one that matters to you.

What Stops After October 13, 2026

End of support does not switch your PC off. Windows keeps working, and your programs keep opening. What ends is the supply of fixes:

• No more monthly security updates, so newly discovered threats are never patched
• No more fixes for known issues, including driver and printing problems
• No more time zone and daylight saving updates
• No more technical support from Microsoft
• No more non-security quality updates, so new bugs stay unfixed

Which Editions Are Affected

This confuses many users, because the same build number has two different end dates depending on the edition.

Home and Pro get the shorter consumer lifecycle and stop receiving updates on October 13, 2026. Most personal laptops and desktops are in this group.

Enterprise and Education get a longer business lifecycle and stay supported until October 12, 2027. If your device is managed by a company IT department, it is most likely in this group, and you should ask your administrator rather than updating on your own.

To see which edition you have, open Settings > System > About and look at the "Edition" line.

How to Check Your Windows 11 Version

Before you do anything else, confirm whether your PC is actually on 24H2.

Step 1. Press Win + R, type winver, and press Enter.

Step 2. Read the version line in the About Windows box. "Version 24H2" means you are affected by the October 2026 date. "Version 25H2" means you already run the current release.

Step 3. Alternatively, go to Settings > System > About and check the "Version" and "OS build" fields.

Step 4. Write down the OS build number. After an upgrade, compare it with the new value to confirm the update really installed.

Upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2

Windows 11 25H2 is the current version, and it is the recommended destination for 24H2 devices. The good news is that 24H2 and 25H2 share the same servicing branch, so the upgrade is small and usually keeps all your apps and files.

Step 1. Back up the system first. A feature update rewrites system files, so create a full system image before you start. See the Qiling Disk Master steps later in this article.

Step 2. Free up space on the C drive. The update needs room to download and unpack. If the system partition is nearly full, extend it first with a partition manager.

Step 3. Open Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for updates".

Step 4. If the device is ready, you will see the option to download and install Windows 11, version 25H2. Click it and follow the prompts.

Step 5. Choose a restart time that suits you, or postpone the restart if you are in the middle of work.

Step 6. After the restart, run winver again to confirm that the version now reads 25H2.

Devices on 24H2 Home or Pro that are not managed by an IT department may also be updated to 25H2 automatically through a staged rollout, so you may find the update already waiting for you.

If Your PC Cannot Upgrade to 25H2

Some older computers cannot move to 25H2 because of hardware requirements such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. If that is your situation, you still have reasonable options.

Step 1. Run the PC Health Check tool to see exactly which requirement blocks the upgrade.

Step 2. Enable TPM and Secure Boot in the BIOS or UEFI firmware. On many machines these features exist but are switched off by default.

Step 3. If your disk still uses the legacy MBR partition scheme, convert it to GPT. Windows 11 requires GPT together with UEFI boot.

Step 4. If the hardware genuinely cannot meet the requirements, keep using 24H2 but harden it: install a reputable third-party antivirus, keep your browser updated, avoid opening unknown attachments, and never skip backups.

Step 5. Plan a hardware refresh if the PC holds important data, and move your old drive's contents to the new machine instead of reinstalling from scratch.

Prepare Your PC Before the Upgrade

A few minutes of preparation prevents most upgrade disasters.

Step 1. Create a full system backup image so you can return to 24H2 if the update goes wrong.

Step 2. Note down your Windows product key and any BitLocker recovery keys before touching firmware settings.

Step 3. Update your chipset, storage, and graphics drivers to the versions recommended by your PC maker.

Step 4. Temporarily disconnect unusual peripherals such as RGB lighting controllers, capture cards, and old printers, since these are a common cause of failures during the update.

Step 5. Keep the laptop plugged in and do not interrupt the restart sequence.

FAQs About Windows 11 24H2 End of Support

Will Windows 11 24H2 stop working on October 13, 2026?

No. Your PC continues to boot and run your applications. What ends is support: no more security updates, bug fixes, time zone updates, or technical support for Home and Pro editions.

Is 24H2 the same as Windows 11 2024 Update?

Yes. Version 24H2 is marketed as the Windows 11 2024 Update. The two names refer to the same release.

Do I have to upgrade to 25H2?

It is strongly recommended. 25H2 is the current release, it shares the same servicing branch as 24H2, and the upgrade is far easier than reinstalling Windows.

Will I lose my files when upgrading from 24H2 to 25H2?

In normal cases your programs, documents, and settings are preserved. Files can still be lost if the update fails midway, which is why a system image backup is essential beforehand.

My company manages my laptop. Should I upgrade myself?

No. Enterprise and Education editions of 24H2 are supported until October 12, 2027, and your IT department controls the update schedule. Ask them before making changes.

Can I go back to 24H2 after upgrading to 25H2?

Only within about ten days through Settings > System > Recovery > "Go back". After that window closes, restoring a system image is the reliable way back.

Back Up and Restore Windows with Qiling Disk Master

Before you upgrade from 24H2 to 25H2, convert your disk to GPT, or change firmware settings, create a full system backup. A feature update touches system files and drivers across the whole machine, so a system image is the fastest way back to a known-good state. Qiling Disk Master handles both the backup and the restore.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Part 1: Create a Full System Backup

Step 1. Install and open Qiling Disk Master. On the home screen, open "Backup and Recovery" and choose "System Backup". This option automatically includes Windows and the hidden boot partitions, so you do not have to select them one by one.

Step 2. Check the source. The disk where Windows is installed and its system partitions are already ticked for you. If you only need your personal documents, run a separate "File Backup" task instead.

Step 3. Click the destination box and choose where the image should be saved. Use an external HDD or SSD, a NAS, or any drive other than the one you are about to upgrade, and make sure it has enough free space.

Step 4. Review the task summary and click "Proceed". Wait until the progress bar reaches 100%. Do not unplug the drive or turn off the PC while the backup is running.

Part 2: Restore Windows from the Backup

Step 1. Open Qiling Disk Master again, go to "Backup and Recovery", and select the recovery option. Your backup images are listed, so pick the one you created before the upgrade.

Step 2. Choose the target disk or partition. Normally you restore to the original system disk. If the drive was replaced, select the new disk instead, and the restore rebuilds Windows together with its boot partitions.

Step 3. Preview the restore plan, click "Proceed", and confirm the warning. The PC restarts to finish the job, and Windows comes back exactly as it was on the day the image was created, with your files and programs intact.

Conclusion

Windows 11 24H2 end of support arrives on October 13, 2026 for Home and Pro editions. After that date the system still runs, but it no longer receives security patches, bug fixes, or technical support. The cleanest path forward is to confirm your version with winver, create a full system backup, and upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 while the update is still a small, in-place change.

Protect your PC with Qiling Backup—create a system image before your next Windows update.

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