Microsoft Forces Windows 11 23H2 Update on Select Systems
Microsoft is targeting systems running Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 and earmarking them for a forced Windows 11 23H2 update.
Windows 11 21H2 reaches EOL (end of life) status on the 10th of October 2022, with Windows 11 22H2 reaching EOL status on the 8th of October 2024. Microsoft has a history of forcing PCs to use newer versions of Windows under certain circumstances. While a portion of Windows 11 users would likely prefer to control their own destiny in term of updates, Microsoft wants to ensure that a large portion of users are running the most recent build of Windows 11. This is why Windows 11 23H2 is entering a broader rollout phase.
“This automatic upgrade targets Windows 11 devices that have reached or are approaching end of servicing,” explained Microsoft in a support document. Microsoft plans for automatic updates to target systems currently running Windows 11 21H2 and Windows 11 22H2. As mentioned above, 21H2 and 22H2 have or are going to soon reach EOL status. The Above EOL dates are when Microsoft will stop delivering security updates and other improvements to those builds.
It may be annoying that Microsoft is forcing a new build on your, but Microsoft has previously stated that those actions are by design. “To help keep you protected and productive, Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update for Windows 11 consumer devices and non-managed business devices that are at, or within several months of reaching, end of servicing,” explained Microsoft in October 2023, “This keeps your device supported and receiving monthly updates that are critical to security and ecosystem health.”
Interestingly, Microsoft plans to use machine learning (ML) to help determine which systems are most compatible with the update on a hardware level, rolling the update to those users first gives manufactures time to roll out updates to facilitate the support of Windows 11 23H2. Microsoft has apparently been using this ML-based approach for some time, including when it started rolling out Widows 11 to eligible machines.
