In a pivotal moment for the computing world, Microsoft’s illustrious Windows 11 Version 21H2 operating system is on the precipice of reaching its end of support, scheduled for October 10, 2023. This imminent deadline serves as a stark reminder to users worldwide, as the curtain descends on this iteration of the Windows ecosystem.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated, as it marks the culmination of an era for Windows 11 Version 21H2. On the day before its retirement, Microsoft will issue a final batch of security updates. However, once this chapter concludes, devices still running this unsupported version will find themselves vulnerable to potential cyber threats, devoid of the protective shield provided by security updates.
The actual number of devices worldwide still operating on Windows 11 Version 21H2 remains obscured, known solely to the inner workings of Microsoft. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that a substantial user base persists on this version, encompassing a multitude of systems.
For context, Windows 11 Version 21H2 inaugurated the Windows 11 operating system, serving as its maiden voyage. Notably, it was the inaugural consumer version to bask in the radiance of two years’ worth of updates.
As the fateful day of October 10, 2023 approaches, it heralds the end of support for various Windows 11 editions, including Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, and Windows 11 Pro Education.
Microsoft has diligently alerted system administrators and users to this impending event since July 2023, underscoring the significance of the support cessation. To further disseminate this crucial information, Microsoft has now posted a reminder on the Windows Release Health website, reiterating that Windows 11 Version 21H2 will indeed run out of support on October 10, 2023, with no lifeline for security updates post-mortem.
Moreover, Microsoft has clarified that Windows Update will take it upon itself to install a newer, actively supported feature update on devices nearing the end of support. This applies to consumer devices and non-managed business devices, provided they run one of the editions of Windows 11 slated for support expiration in October 2023.
This practice of automatic upgrades commences several months before the end of servicing and may persist even after support has concluded. Although Microsoft refrains from specifying the precise Windows 11 version to which devices will be upgraded automatically, it is worth noting that Windows 11 Version 22H2 stands as the solitary supported version currently available, with Windows 11 Version 23H2 anticipated to make its debut in the ensuing months.
However, one aspect remains shrouded in uncertainty: the fate of systems equipped with unsupported hardware. This matter stands separate from the unsupported processor error that some users encountered recently or the more generic “Windows 11 update has failed” error.
For Windows 11 users who have installed the operating system on hardware deemed unsupported, alternative means may be required to facilitate the upgrade to a compatible operating system version. These individuals may confront the dreaded “This PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to install Windows 11” error during installation.
Options for circumventing these requirements include crafting specially prepared ISO images with tools like Rufus, thereby bypassing the stringent system checks and effecting an upgrade to Windows 11 Version 22H2.
Importantly, Windows 11 Version 22H2 preserves the same system requirements as the original release version of Windows 11 and continues to receive support for another year, ultimately reaching its own end of support in October 2024.
Given the stakes at hand, the majority of devices are encouraged to make the transition to this new version, primarily to continue benefiting from crucial security updates.
Looking ahead, the impending release of Windows 11 Version 23H2 looms on the horizon, slated to be supported until October 2025. Although it is anticipated to be a more modest update, it will only be accessible to devices already running Windows 11 Version 22H2.
As the clock ticks down towards the end of support for Windows 11 Version 21H2, users are urged to take heed and embark on the necessary steps to ensure the continued security and functionality of their devices. This pivotal juncture in the world of operating systems underscores the ever-evolving nature of technology and the imperative of staying current to safeguard against the ever-present specter of cyber threats.
