Microsoft has announced plans to discontinue support for several of its products in 2026, including Windows 11 24H2. As Windows 11 approaches its five-year anniversary, the upcoming support cuts are significant. The end of support for Windows 11 24H2 is scheduled for October 4, 2026, which means after this date, Microsoft will halt the release of security updates and bug fixes, effectively pushing users to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2.
Windows 11 24H2, released on October 1, 2024, was notably one of the most extensive yet problematic updates in the operating system’s timeline. Following the recent discontinuation of support for Windows 11 23H2 in November 2025, 24H2 will follow suit.
Additionally, Microsoft’s Windows 11 SE version, once deemed a competitor to ChromeOS, will also cease support in October 2026 due to its failure to capture market traction within educational sectors.
For Windows 11 users on the Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions, support for version 23H2 will last until November 10, 2026, even though consumer support has expired.
Microsoft’s Office 2021 suite will share a similar fate, with support ending on October 13, 2026, shortly following its five-year release.
As for upgrading options, transitioning from Office 2021 to Office 2024 will require purchasing a new license, as they are distinct products. Alternatively, users can consider subscribing to Microsoft 365 for ongoing updates.
Full list of Microsoft products losing support in 2026:
- .NET 9: Support ends on November 10, 2026.
- .NET 8 (LTS): Support ends on November 10, 2026.
- PowerShell 7.4 (LTS): Support ends on November 10, 2026.
- Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2: ESU Year 3 support ends on October 13, 2026.
This trend underscores Microsoft’s ongoing legacy of phasing out older products while promoting newer versions, encouraging users to keep their systems updated and secure.