Update to Windows 11 25H2 Before 24H2 Support Ends

Published October 16, 2026 · Victoria Computer Repair

If your Windows 11 computer was set up in the last two years, there is a good chance it is still on version 24H2. Microsoft’s lifecycle page shows that version 24H2 of Windows 11 Home and Pro reached the end of its support on October 13, 2026 (Pacific time). The October security update that came out that day is the last one it will receive.

Nothing stops working overnight. The computer boots, your files are there and your programs open. What changes is that new security holes found from here on will only be fixed in newer versions of Windows 11. This guide shows how to check which version you have and how to update to 25H2 or 26H2.

Why the version matters

Windows 11 gets a big feature update about once a year, and each one has a support window. Microsoft’s lifecycle page lists these end dates for Home and Pro:

• 24H2: ended October 13, 2026
• 25H2: October 13, 2027
• 26H1: March 15, 2028
• 26H2: October 10, 2028

Microsoft’s October 2026 Patch Tuesday release was also a large one. BleepingComputer counted 1,411 flaws fixed on that day, including one that attackers were already using. You do not need to memorize that number. It is a reminder that security patches are a steady stream, and a version that stops receiving them falls behind quickly.

Step 1: Find out which version you have

1. Press the Windows key + R.
2. Type winver and press Enter.
3. A small window opens. Look for the line that starts with Version.

If it says 24H2, you need to update. If it says 25H2, 26H1 or 26H2, you are covered for now. If it says 23H2 or older, you are further behind, and the steps below still apply, though the update may take longer.

Step 2: Back up what matters

Feature updates are normally smooth, but they do rewrite a lot of system files. Before you start, make sure your documents, photos and anything you could not replace are copied somewhere else, such as an external drive or your OneDrive or Google Drive folder. Open the copy and check that the files really are there.

If the computer holds files you have never backed up, that is worth sorting out first. Our data recovery and backup service covers setting up a backup that runs on its own.

Step 3: Free up space and plug in

A feature update needs several gigabytes of free space while it installs. Open Settings > System > Storage and see how much is free. If you are nearly full, delete old downloads, empty the Recycle Bin and uninstall programs you no longer use.

If you use a laptop, plug it into power. Do not close the lid partway through.

Step 4: Run Windows Update

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates.
3. If you see a feature update for Windows 11 version 25H2 or 26H2, select Download and install.
4. Restart when Windows asks.

Some updates restart the computer more than once. The screen may sit on a percentage for a long time. Give it at least an hour before you worry, and do not hold the power button unless it has clearly frozen for much longer.

When it finishes, run winver again to confirm the new version number.

If Windows Update does not offer the new version

Microsoft rolls out feature updates in stages, so a computer sometimes does not see the offer right away. A few things to try:

• Install every other pending update first, then restart and check again.
• Make sure the Get the latest updates as soon as they are available switch is on in the Windows Update settings.
• Restart the computer and check once more the next day.

If it still does not appear, the cause may be a driver or program that Windows has flagged as a problem with the new version. That is something to look at properly instead of forcing the update.

Small offices and shared computers

If you run a few computers at a business, check each one. They are often set up at different times, so a mix of versions is common. Computers that are used for banking, point of sale or customer records should come first. If you also use Windows 10 or older machines somewhere in the office, list them now so you know what you are dealing with. Our business IT support service can go through the whole office and plan the updates around your hours.

What to do after the update

• Open your usual programs and printer to make sure everything still works. If a printer went offline afterward, our guide to fixing an offline printer walks through it.
• Leave automatic updates switched on.
• If the computer feels slower than before, see why your computer is so slow for common causes.

When to call a technician

Updating is simple most of the time. It is worth getting help if:

• The update fails with an error code more than once.
• The computer is stuck in a restart loop or shows a black or blue screen after updating.
• The computer is very full and you cannot tell what is safe to delete.
• It holds important files that have no backup.
• You manage several computers and want the updates done on a schedule.

We help homes and small businesses across Victoria, Saanich and Langford, on site or remotely. Our home tech support service covers update problems like these, and the rate is $150 an hour. We explain what we plan to do before we start.

Sources

• Windows 11 Home and Pro lifecycle, Microsoft Learn
• Microsoft October 2026 Patch Tuesday fixes 1,411 flaws, 3 zero-days, BleepingComputer