If you use a Windows 11 PC at home or in a small office, there’s a quick check worth doing this week. On 13 October, Microsoft stopped security updates for one of the most common versions of Windows 11: Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro.
Your PC will keep working, but it won’t get any more monthly security fixes. Here’s what happened, why this month makes it more urgent than usual, and how to check and update in a few minutes.
Quick answer: Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro got its last security update in October 2026. Press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. If it says Version 24H2, update through Settings > Windows Update. If it says 25H2 or 26H2, you’re on a supported version, so just keep your monthly updates installed.
What happened
Microsoft’s release notes for the October 2026 update (KB5127648) say: “Windows 11, version 24H2 Home and Pro has reached end of updates. The October 2026 monthly security update is the last update available for these editions.”
In plain English, PCs still running Windows 11 version 24H2 Home or Pro will keep working, but they won’t get any more monthly security fixes. Microsoft recommends upgrading to the latest version of Windows 11. The October update covered versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2, so the newer versions are the ones still being looked after.
Why this month matters more than usual
October’s Patch Tuesday was a big one. BleepingComputer reports that Microsoft fixed a record-breaking 1,411 security flaws in a single release, 70 of them rated “Critical”.
Among them was one flaw that attackers were already using before the fix arrived. It allowed attackers to bypass “Mark of the Web”, the Windows feature that flags files downloaded from the internet so you get a warning before opening them. Two further flaws had been publicly disclosed before a fix was ready.
BleepingComputer links the record number to Microsoft’s use of AI to find and fix vulnerabilities in its own products. Whatever the reason, the pattern is clear: security problems are being found faster, and a PC that’s no longer getting updates falls behind quickly.
Step 1: check which version you’re running
There are two easy ways to find out, both from Microsoft’s own guidance.
Using Settings (Microsoft’s guide):
- Right-click the Start button and choose Settings.
- Select System, then About.
- Scroll to Windows specifications. Look at Edition (for example, Windows 11 Home or Pro) and Version (for example, 24H2 or 25H2).
Using winver (a quicker shortcut, described in HP’s support guide):
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
- Type winver and press Enter or click OK.
- A small “About Windows” window shows your version and build number.
If it says Version 24H2 and you’re on Home or Pro, you need to update. If it says 25H2 or 26H2, you’re on a supported version, so just make sure your monthly updates are installed.
Step 2: update through Windows Update
Following Microsoft’s instructions:
- Select Start, then Settings, then Windows Update.
- Select Check for Windows updates.
- If updates are available, select Download & install.
- Restart when prompted.
Windows Update is the normal route to a newer version of Windows 11. Once it has finished, run winver again to confirm the version has changed. If a newer version isn’t offered, it’s worth checking with your PC maker or a local IT support provider rather than leaving the machine as it is.
Before you update: a few sensible precautions
- Back up first. Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage before a big update.
- Plug in and allow time. Do it when you don’t need the PC for an hour or so, and keep laptops on mains power.
- Check after. Open the apps you rely on most and make sure printers and other devices still work.
Microsoft also lists a few known issues with the October update. One example: on some PCs, if Smart App Control was already turned off, the option to turn it back on may be greyed out. PCs where it’s already on aren’t affected.
For small businesses
- Check every machine. It’s common for one or two PCs in an office to lag behind. A five-minute winver check across all of them is time well spent.
- Look ahead. BleepingComputer also notes that Microsoft has told organisations running Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise to upgrade, as security updates for those editions stop from next month.
- Don’t forget older PCs. Microsoft’s own support pages remind users that free security updates for Windows 10 ended on 14 October 2025. Any Windows 10 machines still in use need a plan.
Patching is only half of it if your team also uses AI tools. Our piece on why Microsoft says not to trust your AI agents covers the access side, and if you trade with Europe, our explainer on the EU AI Act’s first official standard covers the rules.
FAQ
Will my PC stop working if it’s on Windows 11 24H2?
No. A PC on Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro keeps working as normal. It just won’t get any more monthly security fixes after the October 2026 update.
How do I check my Windows 11 version?
Press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. Or go to Settings, then System, then About, and look under Windows specifications for the Edition and Version.
Which Windows 11 versions still get security updates?
Microsoft’s October 2026 update covered versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2, and October was the last one for 24H2 Home and Pro. That leaves 25H2 and 26H2 as the versions still being looked after.
Our verdict
A PC that’s out of support doesn’t stop working, which is exactly why it’s easy to ignore. But with more than 1,400 flaws fixed in a single month, including one already being used by attackers, staying on an unsupported version is a real risk.
Check your version today, update through Windows Update if you need to, and you’re done.
Featured image: Microsoft