Microsoft has officially announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, its education-focused operating system designed for low-cost devices. Support for Windows 11 SE will cease in October 2026, marking the end of software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for this edition. The final feature update for Windows 11 SE is version 24H2; it will not receive the upcoming 25H2 update scheduled for later this year. (tomshardware.com)
Introduced in 2021, Windows 11 SE was Microsoft's response to the growing popularity of Google's Chrome OS in educational settings. It was a streamlined, cloud-first operating system tailored for K-8 classrooms, emphasizing simplicity and remote management capabilities for school administrators. The OS came pre-installed on select education-focused devices, including Microsoft's own Surface Laptop SE, which debuted at $249. (tomshardware.com)
Despite its targeted design, Windows 11 SE faced challenges in performance on low-end hardware, as it was fundamentally based on the full version of Windows 11. This led to limitations such as restricted multitasking and a controlled app environment, which may have hindered its adoption as a viable alternative to Chrome OS. (windowscentral.com)
With the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, Microsoft advises users to transition to devices supporting other editions of Windows 11 to ensure continued support and security. This move underscores the company's ongoing efforts to refine its offerings in the competitive educational technology market. (tomshardware.com)
Source: Forbes Microsoft Quietly Confirms It’s Killing Off A Version Of Windows 11
