Microsoft has officially discontinued Windows 11 SE, its education-focused version of Windows designed for low-cost classroom laptops. The operating system, launched in 2021 as a simplified, cloud-first alternative to compete with Chrome OS, will no longer receive updates beyond October 2026.
Initially rolled out with the Surface Laptop SE and later made available through select OEMs, Windows 11 SE was built to provide a streamlined Windows experience tailored for students. It came with app restrictions managed by administrators, limited multitasking, and features such as desktop stickers for a child-friendly interface.
In a support document, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 SE version 24H2 was its final major update, and no further feature upgradessuch as the upcoming version 25H2will be released. Although existing devices will remain functional, Microsoft is urging users to migrate to other editions of Windows 11 to maintain security and compatibility.
Despite its promise, Windows 11 SE struggled to gain traction. Its shared architecture with Windows 11 Home and Pro made it less suitable for truly low-end devices, and the artificial limitations hindered its appeal. This follows the earlier cancellation of Windows 10X, another lightweight Windows attempt, leaving Microsoft still without a robust answer to Chrome OS in the budget education segment.
Windows 11 Education remains available for schools and students, offering a more complete experience without the constraints of SEbut at a higher cost.
