October 13, 2026 was a quiet but important day for anyone with a Windows PC. Microsoft stopped sending updates to Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro, ended support for Office 2021, and confirmed that the free-or-cheap safety net for Windows 10 now runs another year. The practical question is simple: which of your machines are still getting security fixes? It is worth five minutes to find out.
What happened
Windows 11 version 24H2 (Home and Pro) reached end of updates. Microsoft says that on October 13, 2026, Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro reached end of updates, and that the October 2026 monthly security update is the last update available for those editions. Devices still on 24H2 Home or Pro no longer receive monthly security and non-security preview updates. The Enterprise and Education editions of 24H2 stay supported until October 12, 2027.
Windows 11 version 26H2 is the new release. Microsoft released Windows 11 version 26H2, also called the Windows 11 2026 Update, on September 29, 2026. It is rolling out gradually, first to PCs on 25H2 or 24H2 that have the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" setting turned on, and availability expands over the following months. For PCs already on 25H2, the move is delivered as a small enablement package rather than a full reinstall. Version 25H2 itself is still supported, with Microsoft listing an end date of October 2027 for Home and Pro.
Office 2021 support ended, with no extension. Microsoft's support page states that support for Office 2021 ended on October 13, 2026, "and there will be no extension and no extended security updates." The apps may keep working, but Microsoft no longer provides security fixes, bug fixes, software updates, or phone and chat support for Office 2021.
Windows 10 security updates got another year. Windows 10 support itself ended in October 2025. The consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which was originally set to end on October 13, 2026, now runs until October 12, 2027. Microsoft says you can enroll any time until then, and if you are already enrolled, your coverage continues automatically with no action needed.
What it means for local households and small businesses
The machines most likely to be affected are the ones nobody has thought about in a while: the family laptop, the office front-desk PC, the computer that runs one important program. A PC that has quietly sat on Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro is now missing monthly security protections. A PC still running Office 2021 is using Office apps that will not get fixes for newly discovered security problems.
Windows 10 owners have more breathing room than they expected, but only if the PC is actually enrolled in ESU. To qualify, Microsoft says the computer must run Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstations), have the latest updates installed, and be signed in with a Microsoft account that is an administrator. There are three ways to enroll: turn on Windows Backup to sync your PC settings at no extra cost, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or make a one-time purchase of $30 plus tax.
What to do now
- Check for updates on every Windows 11 PC. Go to Settings, then Windows Update, and select Check for updates. Microsoft recommends moving 24H2 Home and Pro devices to 26H2 or 25H2 to keep receiving monthly security and quality updates.
- Want 26H2 sooner? Microsoft is offering it first to PCs with "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" turned on in Windows Update.
- On Windows 10, confirm ESU enrollment. If you already enrolled, Microsoft says coverage continues through October 12, 2027 with no action needed. If you never enrolled, check the requirements above and follow Microsoft's ESU enrollment steps.
- Find out whether you are on Office 2021. Microsoft's Office 2021 support page links to instructions for checking your version. If it is Office 2021, Microsoft recommends upgrading to a newer version of Office.
- Back up before any big update. Copy photos, documents and anything you cannot replace to an external drive or cloud storage before you upgrade.
Need a hand with an older PC?
If a version check, an update that will not install, or an aging office computer has you stuck, our computer repair bench and business IT service can help you plan the move. We're at 1651 NY-112 Ste T in Port Jefferson, open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Book a repair online and we'll get back to you about the options and the price.
Sources
- Microsoft: Windows message center (release health)
- Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows 11 Home and Pro
- Microsoft Support: End of support for Office 2021
- Microsoft: Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)
- BleepingComputer: Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reached end of support
- Pureinfotech: Windows 11 24H2 gets its final update on October 13 as version 26H2 takes over
- heise online: Microsoft Office 2021 support ends October 13, 2026
- Help Net Security: Microsoft gives Windows 10 users an extra year of free security updates