Microsoft has announced that multiple editions of Windows 11 22H2 have reached their end-of-servicing status.
The Home and Pro editions are no longer receiving monthly security updates, while other versions are also nearing their own end-of-service periods.
Customers are advised to upgrade or switch to newer versions of Windows or alternative operating systems that receive regular updates and security patches.
Microsoft will begin rolling out a new version of its operating system, codenamed as the "Windows 11 2024 Update", with significant performance, security, and user experience improvements.
Microsoft has issued a formal announcement that multiple editions of its popular operating system, Windows 11 22H2, have reached their end of servicing. This milestone marks an important stage in the product lifecycle of the operating system, as it signals the beginning of the end-of-service period for these specific versions.
According to the announcement made by Microsoft, the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 22H2 have reached their end-of-servicing status, effective immediately. This means that customers who are running these editions on their devices will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.
The end-of-service period for these editions was previously set to be in October 2024, with Microsoft providing customers with a year-long grace period prior to the official cutoff date. During this time, customers were encouraged to upgrade to newer versions of Windows or switch to alternative operating systems that still receive regular updates and security patches.
In addition to the Home and Pro editions, other versions of Windows 11 22H2, such as Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, and SE, have also reached their end-of-servicing status. Similarly, one year after the initial cutoff date, other versions of Windows 11 21H2, including Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions, will also reach their own end-of-service period.
Microsoft has emphasized the importance of keeping devices protected from emerging security threats by highlighting the ongoing availability of feature updates for customers who are running newer versions of the operating system. The company has assured customers that Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update for Windows 11 Home and Pro devices that are not managed by IT departments when these editions are nearing their end-of-servicing status.
Customers have been advised to enable the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" option in Settings > Windows Update to take advantage of this automatic feature update mechanism. This allows customers to ensure that their devices receive the latest security patches and features without having to manually initiate an update.
In addition to the announcement regarding the end-of-service period for various editions of Windows 11 22H2, Microsoft has also revealed that it will begin rolling out a new version of its operating system, codenamed as the "Windows 11 2024 Update". This update is expected to bring significant improvements and enhancements to the performance, security, and overall user experience of the operating system.
To ensure a smooth transition for customers, Microsoft has implemented several safeguard holds for devices that are running incompatible software and drivers. These safeguard holds prevent the company from offering the new feature updates on systems with certain audio drivers, such as Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST), which have been known to cause blue screen of death (BSOD) issues.
Similarly, Microsoft has also imposed safeguard holds on devices that are running certain games or applications, including Asphalt 8 (Airborne) and Easy Anti-Cheat. Additionally, the company has blocked feature updates for systems with incompatible fingerprint sensors and wallpaper customization applications.
In conclusion, Microsoft's announcement regarding the end-of-service period for various editions of Windows 11 22H2 marks an important milestone in the product lifecycle of the operating system. As customers begin to upgrade or switch to newer versions of Windows, it is essential that they are aware of the ongoing availability of feature updates and security patches.
Summary:
Microsoft has announced that multiple editions of its popular operating system, Windows 11 22H2, have reached their end-of-servicing status, effective immediately. The Home and Pro editions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats, while other versions of the operating system are also nearing their own end-of-service periods.
