End of support for Windows 10 21H2 by June

A new report from Microsoft has announced that the end of support for Windows 10 21H2 is imminent. As of June, when the Enterprise and Education editions reach the end of service, Microsoft will cease providing support for this version. This means systems running Windows 10 21H2, also known as the Windows 10 November 2021 Update, will no longer receive crucial monthly quality updates, including bug fixes and patches addressing newly identified security vulnerabilities. To safeguard your systems against potential attacks exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities, we strongly advise updating to the latest Windows 10 version or considering an upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible.

Microsoft has issued a warning in their recent announcement: starting June 11, 2024, certain editions of Windows 10 will stop receiving security updates.

If you need support from Microsoft after this date, they will advise you to update your device to the latest version of Windows 10 or consider upgrading to Windows 11 to stay supported.

The editions of Windows 10 21H2 that will no longer be serviced after June 11, 2024, are as follows:

• Windows 10 Enterprise, version 21H2
• Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session, version 21H2
• Windows 10 Education, version 21H2
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, version 21H2

Additionally, the Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions of Windows 10 21H2 have already reached their end of service (EOS) during the June 2023 Patch Tuesday.

Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2 in broad deployment

The Windows 10 2022 update, also known as Windows 10 22H2, made its way to widespread use in November 2022 and is currently being distributed to all users via Windows Update. If your device is eligible and running Windows 10 20H2 or a later version, you should receive this update. However, some devices may face compatibility issues or have settings that delay feature updates.

Microsoft will ensure that consumer and non-managed business devices running Windows 10 eventually install the Windows 10 2022 Update before they reach the end of their service period. Microsoft has announced that to ensure your safety and productivity, Windows will automatically start a feature update for Windows 10 on consumer devices and non-managed business devices that are nearing the end of their service period or are already there.

This ensures that your device remains supported and continues to receive essential monthly updates crucial for security and the overall health of the system. You'll have the option to select a convenient time for your device to restart and finalise the update.

Microsoft has begun automatically installing Windows 11 23H2 on devices that are eligible and have either already reached or are approaching their end-of-service date.

After Windows 11 21H2 systems were automatically updated to Windows 11 22H2 before their support ended on October 11, Microsoft has now introduced Windows 11 23H2 (also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update) on October 31. This release follows its one-month testing period with Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, specifically for enterprise testing.

The update process includes an enablement package (eKB) that activates features introduced in previous 22H2 updates but were yet to be enabled. If you encounter any difficulties during the update, you can refer to a Windows support document or use a guided walk-through to troubleshoot the issues.

To Sum Up

Regularly updating your laptops/computers is crucial not only for ensuring optimal performance but also for enhancing security measures. By staying up-to-date with the latest updates, you reduce the risk of vulnerabilities that cybercriminals often exploit. This proactive approach not only safeguards your data but also contributes to meeting the requirements for certifications such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. 

Cyber Essentials is a simple but effective, Government backed scheme that will help you to protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber-attacks. Cyber essentials is a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) through the form of an online portal. The Cyber Essentials Plus is the same as the Cyber Essentials self-assessment, but with an additional audit from an approved Cyber Security company to confirm that the tools declared in the self-assessment are implemented in the business. By partnering with a cyber security company, like Cybaverse, businesses can ensure that they remain protected against evolving cyber threats and maintain compliance with industry standards, ultimately safeguarding their data and reputation.