How to Upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 Now That 24H2 Updates Have Ended
Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro got their last security update in October 2026. Here is how to check your version and upgrade to 26H2 for free in a few minutes.
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If your PC runs Windows 11 Home or Pro, version 24H2, it has stopped getting security updates. Microsoft’s October 13, 2026 security update was the last one for these editions. The fix is free and quick: upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 from Settings > Windows Update, which takes one small download and a single restart, and keeps your files and apps.
Quick summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is affected? | Windows 11 Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations on version 24H2 |
| Last update for 24H2 Home/Pro | October 13, 2026 security update (KB5127648) |
| What to install | Windows 11, version 26H2 (enablement package KB5121794) |
| Cost | Free through Windows Update |
| Time needed | Usually a few minutes plus one restart |
| Will I lose files? | No, files, apps and settings stay (a backup is still wise) |
| 26H2 support ends | 10 October 2028 for Home and Pro |
Why Windows 11 24H2 stopped getting updates
Every Windows 11 version gets 24 months of updates on Home and Pro editions, and 36 months on Enterprise and Education. Version 24H2 arrived on 1 October 2024, so its Home and Pro support has now run out. Microsoft’s release information page lists 24H2 Home and Pro as “End of updates”, while Enterprise and Education editions keep getting fixes until 12 October 2027.
Your PC will keep working, but without monthly security patches every new Windows vulnerability stays open on it. For a laptop used for banking, UPI on the web, office email or saved passwords, that is a real risk. The good news: 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 share the same core, so moving up is a small switch rather than a full reinstall.
Also read: How to Fix the Discord Update Failed Loop (Windows and Mac)
Windows 11 support dates at a glance
| Version | Released | Build | Home & Pro updates end | Enterprise & Education updates end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24H2 | 1 Oct 2024 | 26100 | Ended (Oct 2026) | 12 Oct 2027 |
| 25H2 | 30 Sep 2025 | 26200 | 12 Oct 2027 | 10 Oct 2028 |
| 26H2 | 29 Sep 2026 | 26300 | 10 Oct 2028 | 9 Oct 2029 |
You may also see 26H1 (build 28000) mentioned. Microsoft says it is only for new devices launched in early 2026 and is not offered as an update to existing PCs, so ignore it unless your laptop shipped with it.
Step 1: Check which Windows 11 version you have
It takes ten seconds to confirm whether this affects you.
- Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
- Type winver and press Enter.
- Read the line that starts with Version. “Version 24H2” with an OS build starting 26100 means you need to upgrade. 25H2 (26200) is still supported, and 26H2 (26300) is the latest.
You can also open Settings > System > About and look under “Windows specifications” for the same details, including your edition (Home, Pro and so on).
Step 2: Back up and prepare your PC
The 26H2 upgrade keeps your data, but any update can fail if power or storage runs out. Do these first:
- Back up important files with the Windows Backup app (OneDrive) or copy them to a pen drive or external disk.
- Plug in your laptop charger and keep it connected until the restart finishes.
- Install pending updates. The 26H2 package needs the September 22, 2026 update (KB5124010, build 26100.9546) or any later cumulative update, which includes October’s KB5127648.
- Keep a few GB free on drive C: so Windows Update can download and stage files.
Step 3: Upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 through Windows Update
This is the official, free route Microsoft documents for PCs on 24H2 or 25H2.
- Open Settings (Windows + I) and select Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and let any pending updates install.
- When you see “Windows 11, version 26H2 is available”, select Download & install. Use “See what’s in this update” if you want to read the changes first.
- Restart your PC when Windows asks. Only one restart is needed.
- Run winver again. It should now show Version 26H2 with an OS build starting 26300.
Because 26H2 arrives as an enablement package (KB5121794), most of the new code is already on your PC through monthly updates. The package simply switches it on, which is why the upgrade usually finishes in minutes instead of the hour a full feature update used to take.
What to do if the 26H2 update does not appear
Microsoft rolls feature updates out in stages, so some PCs see the offer later than others. Try these in order:
- Turn on early updates: in Settings > Windows Update, switch on “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”, then check again.
- Finish pending restarts: if an earlier update is waiting, restart first. The 26H2 offer only appears once you have KB5124010 or later.
- Run the Windows Update troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update.
- Check for a hold: Microsoft sometimes blocks an upgrade on hardware with a known issue (a “safeguard hold”). In that case, wait. Forcing it can cause driver problems.
- Work or school PC? If your company manages updates through Intune or WSUS, the offer comes from your IT team. Ask them rather than changing settings yourself.
For offices running dozens of 24H2 Pro machines, it is worth planning this as one scheduled rollout after hours rather than leaving each user to click the update. A managed IT services partner can handle the version check, backups and staged upgrade across all PCs.
Should you pick 25H2 or 26H2?
Choose 26H2. Both are supported today, but 26H2 gets Home and Pro updates until 10 October 2028, a full year longer than 25H2 (12 October 2027). Since both are small enablement-package upgrades from 24H2, there is no extra effort in going straight to the newest version. Stay on 25H2 only if your office IT team has not yet approved 26H2.
What if you are still on Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10?
Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro stopped receiving updates in November 2025, and older versions cannot use the small enablement package. Use Settings > Windows Update to install the full feature update when offered, or the Installation Assistant on Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page. Windows 10 users should first check that their PC meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements with the PC Health Check app.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Windows 11 26H2 upgrade free?
Yes. If you already run a genuine Windows 11 Home or Pro on version 24H2 or 25H2, the 26H2 upgrade is free through Windows Update. You do not need a new licence key.
Will upgrading to 26H2 delete my files or apps?
No. The enablement package keeps your files, installed apps and settings. Backing up important files first is still sensible in case of a power cut or disk error during the restart.
What happens if I stay on Windows 11 24H2?
Windows keeps running, but Home and Pro editions no longer receive monthly security fixes. New vulnerabilities stay unpatched, which raises the risk of malware and account theft over time.
How long does the 24H2 to 26H2 upgrade take?
On most PCs with the latest monthly update installed, the download is small and the upgrade needs a single restart, so it usually finishes within a few minutes. Slower drives or pending updates can add time.
Bottom line
If winver shows Version 24H2 on a Home or Pro PC, upgrade today. Open Windows Update, install the “Windows 11, version 26H2” offer and restart once. It is free, keeps your data and gives you security updates until October 2028. For other Windows 11 fixes, see our guide to common Windows 11 problems and fixes, and read about the new Windows 11 search being tested. If a recent Office update broke copy and paste, see our Excel KB5002914 fix.
Sources
- Microsoft: Windows 11 release information
- Microsoft Support: KB5121794, feature update to Windows 11, version 26H2 by using an enablement package
- Microsoft Support: October 13, 2026, KB5127648 (OS Builds 26300.9711, 26200.9711 and 26100.9711)
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