When Is Windows 11 End of Life? Version-by-Version Dates

When is Windows 11 end of life? Microsoft has not set an end-of-life date for Windows 11 as a whole. Instead, each yearly version has its own end-of-servicing date: 24 months for Home and Pro, 36 months for Enterprise and Education. As of October 2026, Home and Pro users on 25H2 are supported until 12 October 2027, and 26H2 until 10 October 2028.

Does Windows 11 Have an End-of-Life Date?

No, Windows 11 as a product has no announced end-of-life date. Microsoft's lifecycle page lists Windows 11 as "In Support" and publishes end dates only for individual versions such as 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2.

This follows Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy. Rather than supporting one release for ten years, as it did with older Windows versions, Microsoft ships a new Windows 11 version once a year and supports each one for a fixed period. As long as you keep installing the annual update, your PC stays supported. Windows 10 worked the same way until Microsoft retired the whole product on 14 October 2025; our Windows 10 end of life guide explains what that meant in practice.

Windows 11 End of Life Dates by Version

Here is every Windows 11 version and the date it stops (or stopped) receiving security updates, taken from Microsoft's Windows 11 release information.

The gap between editions comes from Microsoft's servicing rule: Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations get 24 months per version, while Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise get 36 months. Microsoft also notes that Home cannot defer feature updates, so Home PCs usually move to the next version before the end date arrives.

When Is Windows 11 25H2 End of Life?

Windows 11 25H2 end of life is 12 October 2027 for Home and Pro, and 10 October 2028 for Enterprise and Education. After those dates, PCs still on 25H2 stop receiving monthly security updates.

Because 24H2 servicing for Home and Pro ended on 13 October 2026, 25H2 is now the oldest supported version for those editions. If you are deciding between staying on 25H2 or moving on, our Windows 11 25H2 guide covers what the version includes.

What About Windows 11 LTSC and IoT Editions?

Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) editions follow a different, fixed lifecycle and do not receive yearly feature updates. They are licensed through volume licensing or device makers for specialised systems, not sold as retail keys.

This answers two common searches. Windows 10 IoT end of life depends on the edition: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 is the longest-lived Windows 10 release, supported to 13 January 2032. And claims of "Windows 11 end of life 2031" do not match any date Microsoft has published; the latest Windows 11 date currently listed is 10 October 2034, and that applies only to IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024. For a deeper look at who LTSC suits, see our Windows 11 LTSC explainer.

What Does "Your Version of Windows 11 Has Reached End of Service" Mean?

The message "your version of Windows 11 has reached end of service" means the version installed on your PC no longer receives security updates, even though Windows 11 itself is still supported. The fix is to install the newest version.

1. Open Settings → System → About and note the Version under Windows specifications.
2. Open Settings → Windows Update and select Check for updates.
3. If a feature update such as "Windows 11, version 25H2" or "version 26H2" is offered, select Download and install.
4. Restart when prompted, then repeat step 1 to confirm the new version.
5. If no update is offered, use Microsoft's Installation Assistant. Our comparison of the Update Assistant, Installation Assistant and ISO explains which tool fits your situation.

Updating keeps your apps, files and activation. A feature update does not change your edition or licence, so a genuine Windows 11 Pro licence stays active through every annual version.

What Happens When a Windows 11 Version Reaches End of Servicing?

When a version reaches end of servicing, Microsoft stops releasing security and quality updates for it, but the PC keeps working. Nothing switches off on the end date.

The cause and effect is about risk, not function. Without monthly patches, newly discovered vulnerabilities in that version stay open, so a PC used online becomes steadily easier to attack. Some apps and games also set minimum Windows versions, so an outdated build can eventually lose compatibility. For home and small-business users the remedy is simply to install the current version, which is free for any licensed Windows 11 PC.

A Common Mistake We See

A common mistake is confusing the end of a Windows 11 version with the end of Windows 11, and buying a new licence or a new PC because Windows Update shows an end-of-service notice. Your Windows 11 licence covers every annual version; you only need to install the update.

The reverse also happens on older hardware: someone pauses updates indefinitely to avoid a feature update, and the PC drifts past its end-of-servicing date unnoticed. Pausing is fine for a few weeks, but set a reminder to resume, and check Settings → System → About a couple of times a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Windows 11 end of life?

Microsoft has not announced an end-of-life date for Windows 11 overall. Each version has its own date instead. For Home and Pro, 25H2 is supported until 12 October 2027 and 26H2 until 10 October 2028. Installing each annual update keeps a Windows 11 PC supported.

Is Windows 11 end of life in 2031?

No official source gives 2031 as a Windows 11 end-of-life date. Microsoft lists Windows 11 as in support with no retirement date. The furthest published Windows 11 date is 10 October 2034, which applies only to the IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 edition used in specialised devices.

When does Windows 11 24H2 support end?

Windows 11 24H2 servicing for Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations ended on 13 October 2026. Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise editions on 24H2 are supported until 12 October 2027. Home and Pro users should update to 25H2 or 26H2 now.

When is Windows 10 IoT LTSC end of life?

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 is supported until 13 January 2032, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 until 9 January 2029. These dates apply to IoT editions licensed through device makers, not to regular Windows 10 Home or Pro, whose support ended on 14 October 2025.

Do I need a new licence for each Windows 11 version?

No. A genuine Windows 11 Home or Pro licence covers every annual feature update. Updating from 25H2 to 26H2 is free through Windows Update and keeps your digital licence active. You only need a new licence to change edition or move a retail licence to a different PC.

How long is each Windows 11 version supported?

Microsoft supports each Windows 11 version for 24 months on Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations and SE, and for 36 months on Enterprise, Education and IoT Enterprise. A new version is released once a year, so a newer supported version is normally available to move to.

Conclusion

When is Windows 11 end of life? Not for the foreseeable future as a product: what ends is each yearly version, and installing the latest update keeps you covered. If you are still on Windows 10 or need a licence for a new build, our Windows 11 collection includes genuine Home and Pro keys, such as Windows 11 Pro, with instant email delivery and a lifetime replacement warranty.

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