Microsoft is killing off Windows 11 SE, its Chrome OS competitor

Windows 11 SE moving connected a low-cost laptop.

Microsoft is ending enactment for Windows 11 SE adjacent year, 5 years aft it launched the operating system connected low-cost laptops that were designed to vie with Google Chromebooks. Windows 11 SE was lone disposable connected devices for acquisition customers, specified arsenic schools, and it was expected to person them not to power to Chrome OS.

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

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

Microsoft has tried and failed to vie with Chrome OS galore times implicit the years. The bundle shaper antecedently created an S Mode that locked Windows 10 down to apps from the Microsoft Store, but it ended up frustrating users erstwhile determination weren’t capable apps successful the 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 make 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 lawsuit basal and inferior physique quality.” Chromebook shipments person been successful diminution since 2022, and the PC refresh cycle this twelvemonth seems to beryllium mostly focused connected Windows 11 upgrades alternatively than an exodus to Chrome OS.