Do you know that Microsoft has a particular Home windows 11 version, Home windows 11 SE, for low-end computer systems? Whereas it’s not as light-weight as some third-party initiatives, it presents a simplified expertise for schooling and low-cost units by limiting the variety of apps you’ll be able to run to solely these accredited by IT admins. Microsoft launched Home windows 11 SE in November 2021 alongside the Floor Laptop computer SE, and now, 4 years later, it’s killing it.

With everybody speaking in regards to the finish of Home windows 10 assist and its prolonged safety updates lasting solely till October 2026, Microsoft quietly up to date the official assist doc for Home windows 11 SE, clarifying that the working system is on the way in which out. The corporate is dropping assist for Home windows 11 SE to the purpose of not even bothering updating it to model 25H2, which is formally coming in just a few months.

The tip of assist for Home windows 11 SE means no software program updates, together with new options, fixes, and safety patches. Microsoft can even cease offering technical assist to all Home windows 11 SE-based units. Apparently, Microsoft’s personal Floor Laptop computer SE has a six-year lifecycle, and its official assist ends in January 2028.

Here’s what Microsoft says within the now-updated assist doc:

Microsoft won’t launch a function replace after Home windows 11 SE, model 24H2. Help for Home windows 11 SE—together with software program updates, technical help, and safety fixes—will finish in October 2026. Whereas your gadget will proceed to work, we suggest transitioning to a tool that helps one other version of Home windows 11 to make sure continued assist and safety.

Home windows 11 SE was distinctive in just a few methods. It lacked some options current in conventional editions, reminiscent of the flexibility to snap greater than two apps directly, Home windows Widgets, and the Microsoft Retailer. Apps would open in full-screen solely, and recordsdata would save in OneDrive by default. Microsoft’s purpose was to present college students a light-weight, cloud-focused working system for low-end units, however the effort by no means took off (however hey, it had desktop stickers and a few distinctive desktop backgrounds), and the Floor Laptop computer SE was mainly the one gadget with Home windows 11 SE. It additionally by no means obtained a real successor.

Home windows 11 SE was a part of Microsoft’s makes an attempt to compete with ChromeOS within the section of low-end units for schooling, a successor to the additionally failed Home windows 10 S. Now, Microsoft is sweeping Home windows 11 SE below the rug. Nothing to see right here, please disperse.