If your business is running on Windows 11, there’s a critically important deadline coming up in just a few weeks. Here’s what you need to know and the steps you need to take.
PSA: Update All Workstations Running Windows 11 by October 8
By October 8, 2024, every PC in your organization running Windows 11 must be updated to the latest major version (called 23H2). Why? Because that’s the last day Microsoft will support their previous two releases (21H2 and 22H2).
To be clear, your out-of-date Windows will continue to run. It’s not like Microsoft is flipping a switch and rendering those older versions nonfunctional.
The problem is that Microsoft won’t be supporting them anymore post-10/8. If you stick with those older versions, you could be opening yourself up to countless security vulnerabilities in the months and years to come.
What Is Windows 11 23H2?
Windows 11 23H2 is the mainstream update to Windows 11 that released in the second half (H2) of 2023, hence the name 23H2. It came out back in October of 2023, so there’s a decent chance you’re already running it.
Some businesses don’t upgrade right away on purpose: sometimes these major OS updates can break some piece of legacy software or have bugs that mess up workflows. But now that the update has been live for almost a year, it’s safe to assume that all the major bugs have been squashed.
Why Is This Happening?
Microsoft wants to focus its resources on fewer different versions of Windows. Finding a security vulnerability in the current build isn’t as simple as making the change in one place. They have to then go make that change in every previous version, and in every different “flavor” of Windows (Home, Pro, Enterprise, etc.).
Rather than patch up older versions going back decades, Microsoft has chosen to maintain only the last couple of versions.
What to Do to Prepare
If you’re a Blue Ridge Technology client, the answer’s easy: absolutely nothing.
We take care of this automatically as part of our endpoint provisioning and ongoing security and maintenance. And that’s not some exclusive we alone can claim; just about every respectable managed service provider will take care of major OS updates for their clients.
For everyone else: if you don’t have any kind of endpoint management in place and are still manually updating systems, then make sure to follow the instructions below on every Windows machine before October 8th. The same goes if your IT person or internal team is managing endpoints: make sure to push this update soon.
Here’s what to do on the individual PC level:
First, verify that you still need the update by opening Settings, then navigating to System, then About. You want to see something indicating 23H2. If you don’t follow the steps below.
- Open Settings, then find Update & Security.
- Choose Windows Update, then click “Check for updates.”
- If you’re not yet running 23H2, you’ll be prompted to install it.
Your PC will likely automatically restart after updating. When you regain normal control, go back to your About window and make sure it shows the update.
Still Manually Updating Windows? There’s a Better Way
We alluded to this above, but the bigger-picture issue here is whether your business is still trying to chase down manual Windows Updates. If you are, we want to show you a better way.
Working with a managed services provider like us takes the day-to-day management and maintenance of IT systems off your plate. It removes the worry at the same time. Our clients rely on us to sweat the details so they can focus on growing their business.
Think about it this way: every second, minute, and hour you spend worrying about or working on IT issues — including major Windows security updates — you’re not focusing on your best work, your greatest value. You’re not focused on moving your business forward in the ways that only you can.
Spending too much time and focus on IT? We can solve that for you. Reach out to our team today to learn more about how.