Microsoft to start force-upgrading Windows 22H2 systems next month

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 installs reaching the end of support next month, on October 8, will be force-upgraded to Windows 11 23H2.

The announcement applies to Windows 11 22H2 Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, and SE editions released on September 20, 2022. 

Windows 11 21H2 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will also reach the end of service on the same day, one year after the Home and Pro editions.

"To help keep you protected and productive, Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update for Windows 11 Home and Pro devices that are not managed by IT departments when these are nearing end of servicing," the company said in a new Microsoft 365 message center entry.

"Moving to Windows 11, version 23H2 keeps your device supported and receiving monthly updates that are critical to security and ecosystem health."

Customers can find more details about the end-of-service dates of other Windows releases using the Lifecycle Policysearch tool and on the Windows Lifecycle FAQ page.

The company also provides detailed information on downloading and installing Windows 11 23H2 (aka the Windows 11 2023 Update) on your systems in the video below.

Windows 11 23H2 was first made available to Release Preview Insiders in September for enterprise testing, and it was officially released in late October as an enablement package. 

In February, Microsoft began force-installing it on eligible systems close to or that had already reached their end-of-service date.

"Windows 11, version 23H2, also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update, is now entering a new rollout phase. We are starting to update eligible Windows 11 devices automatically to version 23H2," Microsoft said at the time.

"This automatic update targets Windows 11 devices that have reached or are approaching end of servicing and it follows the machine learning-based (ML) training we have utilized so far."

The forced rollout came after systems running multiple Windows 11 21H2 editions were automatically updated to Windows 11 22H2 before reaching the end of support on October 11.

To check if your PC can get the Windows 11 2023 Update, review the specifications or use the PC Health Check app. Redmond also provides support for any upgrade issues.