Microsoft Windows 11 is the latest edition of the popular Windows PC operating system, and is now running on millions of computers globally since its launch in 2021. While the company continues to countdown to the demise of Windows 10, Microsoft has also just announced that users who don’t upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11 will be left with a potentially unsafe computer as older versions will no longer get security updates.

“On October 8, 2024, Windows 11, version 21H2 (Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions) and Windows 11, version 22H2 (Home and Pro editions) will reach end of servicing,” Microsoft said in an update. “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.”

The firm added that “devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats”.

The good news is if you have a Windows 11 PC it will very likely be able to update to the required version 23H2. It means even Windows 11 22H2 - released in February 2023 - might not be fully secure after the October deadline.

Security updates are important for all modern gadgets because they defend you from the latest loopholes that hackers can exploit. In simpler terms, if you don’t update your PC with the newest security updates, you could be at risk of being hacked - which can sometimes result in data being stolen or with you being defrauded of money.

Compared to the world of smartphones, it’s a little surprising that Microsoft is only going to push these important security updates to the latest version of Windows 11. When it comes to phones, many manufacturers push out the security updates that keep their users safe, even if the device is too old or underpowered to get all the latest Android or iOS features.

That’s not a blanket rule, but it’s common. Perhaps Microsoft wants to restrict security updates to only the latest Windows 11 software to encourage better uptake. Even though the numbers increased recently, the company is likely a little peeved that Windows 10 is more widely used than Windows 11 worldwide. The latest stats show 29.75 percent of Windows users are on 11, with a whopping 66 percent preferring the older Windows 10.

That can be because people have older machines that are too old to be eligible for the free Windows 11 update, or because the owners are worried their PC is too underpowered to handle the latest features.