Microsoft is Killing Off Windows 11 Se, Its Chrome Os Competitor

Windows 11 SE moving connected a low-cost laptop.

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 11 SE adjacent year, 5 years aft it launched nan operating system connected low-cost laptops that were designed to compete pinch Google Chromebooks. Windows 11 SE was only disposable connected devices for acquisition customers, specified arsenic schools, and it was expected to person them not to move to Chrome OS.

“Support for Windows 11 SE — including package updates, method assistance, and information fixes — will extremity successful October 2026,“ says Microsoft successful an updated support article spotted by Neowin. “While your instrumentality will proceed to work, we urge transitioning to a instrumentality that supports different version of Windows 11 to guarantee continued support and security.”

Microsoft won’t merchandise its upcoming 25H2 update for Windows 11 SE, which intends that devices will stay connected 24H2 until support ends adjacent year. Acer, Asus, Dell, Dynabook, Fujitsu, HP, JK-IP, Lenovo, and Positivo person each created Windows 11 SE laptops, and Microsoft moreover launched its ain $249 Surface Laptop SE successful 2021.

Microsoft has tried and grounded to compete pinch Chrome OS galore times complete nan years. The package shaper antecedently created an S Mode that locked Windows 10 down to apps from nan Microsoft Store, but it ended up frustrating users erstwhile location weren’t capable apps successful nan Store.

Windows 11 SE took a akin attack by encouraging schools to usage Progressive Web Apps (PWA) alternatively of accepted win32 apps. IT admins had to create exceptions for devices to tally win32 apps, and Microsoft maintained a strict database of allowed apps for Windows 11 SE.

Microsoft’s determination to termination disconnected Windows 11 SE comes a twelvemonth aft Gartner warned that Chromebooks were “losing marketplace stock owed to their constricted customer guidelines and inferior build quality.” Chromebook shipments person been successful diminution since 2022, and nan PC refresh cycle this twelvemonth seems to beryllium mostly focused connected Windows 11 upgrades alternatively than an exodus to Chrome OS.