I have windows 11 but the device states I have reached end of service? Help?

Hello,

Your PC is telling you that it's out of service as Windows 11 22H2 went out of service in 2024.

However, you can upgrade to the latest version (Windows 11 25H2) in just a few steps.

If you haven't already, check for new updates and see if Windows 11, version 25H2 (or 24H2) is offered; if it is, download and install it, if it isn't, continue to the next step.

You will need to exit Windows 11 S Mode as you won't be able to run EXE files (which this method needs).

To do that, go to Settings > System > Activation and scroll down to where you see S Mode. Select the down arrow and then click "Go to Store". This will open up a Microsoft Store window where you can switch to Windows 11 Home (normal edition). Please note that this is a one way thing and once you exit S Mode, you will be unable to switch back.

After your computer is out of S Mode, you can use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or the Windows 11 ISO. Both these options will get you to Windows 11, version 25H2. To use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant and then run it. You should see some prompts telling you about Windows 11 and what it'll install. Let it download and install 25H2.

To use the Windows 11 ISO, download the Windows 11 ISO, (you can find it here, scroll down to where you see ISO for Windows 11 x64 devices), mount it, and then run setup.exe (if you see a UAC prompt, push yes). Follow the prompts on-screen and then let setup.exe update and install 25H2.

Both of these will take a while to install. It's best to do this at night when you're not doing anything important. Just make sure to save your files before you start. If you have a laptop, make sure it's plugged in so the battery doesn't die during the upgrade process.

Please also note that the 25H2 ISO is a large download (over 5GB) and will take quite a bit of time to download, especially on a slow network.

Hope this helps, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to let me know!

Hi Kira W,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Your Acer Aspire 3 is running Windows 11 Home in S mode, which is a streamlined configuration designed for security and simplicity. Refurbished devices sometimes ship with an earlier Windows version that was current at the time the system image was prepared. When that happens, Windows Update may show a notice indicating that the current version needs to move to a newer supported release.

In addition to the Volunteer Moderator's answer, here are the two options that you can consider in this situation:

Option 1: Switch out of S mode and update Windows
This allows the device to receive the latest Windows feature and security updates.

• Open Settings > System > Activation
• Under Switch to Windows 11 Home, select Go to the Microsoft Store
• Choose Switch out of S mode
• After switching, return to Windows Update and check for updates

Option 2: Stay in S mode
If you prefer the S mode experience, you can continue using the device as is, but feature upgrades are limited. For long‑term security and flexibility, Option 1 is recommended.

What to expect after updating:

• Security updates will continue automatically
• Built‑in protection (Microsoft Defender) remains active
• You’ll have full access to Windows updates and apps

Following the steps above will ensure your laptop stays protected and up to date moving forward. If you need help during the process or have questions afterward, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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