Microsoft to Begin Forced Upgrades to Windows 11 version 23H2 Next Month
Published: Sep 11, 2024
Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft will automatically upgrade users running older versions of Windows 11 to version 23H2 to ensure continued security updates and new features.
- The final security update for these outdated versions will be released in October 2024.
- Windows 11 version 23H2 offers Copilot in Windows, a modernized File Explorer, Wi-Fi 7 support, and more.
Microsoft is preparing to roll out Windows 11 version 23H2 to users who are still running outdated versions of the OS. The company announced on the Windows Health Dashboard that this forced upgrade will affect systems running the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 22H2, as well as the Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions of Windows 11 version 21H2.
Microsoft will release the final security update for these Windows 11 devices next month. After that, customers will be exposed to potential security threats and vulnerabilities. That’s why Microsoft will automatically upgrade Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 users to version 23H2.
“The upcoming October 2024 security update, to be released on October 8, 2024, will be the last update available for these editions. After this date, devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats,” Microsoft explained.
Microsoft notes that automatic updates will only apply to non-managed Windows 11 PCs. This means IT administrators must manually update their systems to protect users from emerging security threats.
What’s new in Windows 11 version 23H2
Microsoft originally released the Windows 11 version 23H2 in October last year. The main new features in this update include Copilot in Windows, a modernized File Explorer, a new Windows Backup app, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a System Components page in Settings. Additionally, the Windows 365 Boot feature lets employees sign in directly to their Cloud PCs, while Windows 365 Switch enables access to Cloud PCs from the Task View interface.
In July, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 version 23H2 is now broadly available to all users with eligible devices. The company will continue to provide security patches for this version until it reaches the end of mainstream support in November 2025.
Microsoft plans to release the next major feature update for Windows 11 later this year. The company has been testing this update with Windows Insiders for several weeks, but the official release date has yet to be announced. It’s currently only available for customers with the new Copilot+ PCs.