It's been a little over a month since Microsoft Windows 11 25H2 released and anyone who wants to install the Fall 2025 major update can do so. But what if you choose to abstain instead? It turns out that Microsoft is now forcing a major update on Windows 11 PCs running older versions that have ended support.
Notably, this means Windows 11 23H2, which Support officially ended on November 11th. Anyone still using Windows 11 23H2 will be forced to upgrade their system to Windows 11 25H2. What if you're somehow still running an even older version, like Windows 11 22H2 or 21H2? Yes, Microsoft also forces the update on your system.
Here's how a forced update works
If you're currently using a computer running Windows 11 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2, your system will automatically receive the update to Windows 11 25H2 through Windows Update. Microsoft won't ask your permission before downloading and installing this year's big update.
This forced update will only apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro. PCs running Windows 11 Enterprise editions with central management are exempt. Computers running Windows 11 in educational editions—mostly computers in schools and universities—are also exempt.
If you are offered an automatic update, you can specify when your system should perform the necessary restart, or you can delay the update for a maximum of a few weeks. Updates cannot be avoided forever. Find out more about take control of Windows updates.
Windows 10 users are not affected
Microsoft is not pushing Windows 11 25H2 (or any other version of Windows 11) on computers that still have Windows 10 installed. whether these computers are registered in the ESU program or not.
This means that if you are using Windows 10 and have successfully received Extended Security Updates, you are safe for now. If you have not yet enrolled in the ESU program, your system is at increasing risk of malware threats and hacking attempts and you should consider upgrading your computer to Windows 11 or maybe even I'm trying a different operating system.
