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Is Your School Laptop About to Become Useless? The Devastating Truth Revealed
Microsoft made a tough choice. The company will stop supporting Windows 11 SE in October 2026. This news hits hard for schools that bought these budget laptops. The writing was on the wall for this education-focused system.
The Beginning and End of a Dream
Windows 11 SE started with big hopes in 2021. Microsoft wanted to fight Google’s Chromebooks in classrooms. They built it as a “cloud-first operating system” for schools. The idea was simple: make cheap laptops that could run Windows.
The Surface Laptop SE came first. It cost $249 and ran the special Windows version. Other companies like Asus, Dell, and HP made their own SE devices too. Schools could buy these in bulk for their students.
The facts are clear:
- No more updates after Windows 11 SE version 24H2
- Support ends completely in October 2026
- No security fixes after that date
- The upcoming 25H2 update will skip SE devices entirely
Your devices will still turn on after 2026. But they won’t be safe from hackers or bugs. Microsoft says schools should “transition to a device that supports another edition of Windows 11”.
The Real Problem Nobody Talks About
Here’s what went wrong. Windows 11 SE looked lightweight but wasn’t. Under the hood, it was still regular Windows 11. This caused major problems on cheap school laptops.
Schools wanted fast, simple computers. Instead, they got slow, buggy devices. Students and teachers got frustrated waiting for programs to load. Meanwhile, Chromebooks kept working smoothly on similar hardware.
Chrome OS was built from scratch to be light and fast. Windows 11 SE was just regular Windows with restrictions. That made all the difference.
What Schools Can Do Right Now
Option 1: Upgrade to Full Windows 11
Your current devices might run Windows 11 Home or Pro. But these need more powerful hardware. Most SE laptops can’t handle the full version well.
Option 2: Switch to Chromebooks
This might be the smart move. Chromebooks cost less and work better on basic hardware. Google already dominates school technology anyway.
Option 3: Plan for New Devices
Start budgeting now for replacement laptops in 2026. Don’t wait until support ends.
Microsoft tried multiple times to beat Chrome OS in schools. Windows 10 S Mode failed too. The problem is always the same – Windows is too heavy for cheap school laptops.
Google built Chrome OS specifically for budget devices. Microsoft tried to squeeze full Windows into the same space. It never worked well enough.
Timeline for IT Departments
Now through 2025:
- Keep using your SE devices normally
- Start planning replacement strategy
- Get budget approval for new laptops
2026:
- Last year of security updates
- Begin device replacement process
- Train staff on new systems
After October 2026:
- SE devices become security risks
- Must complete transition to avoid problems
The end of Windows 11 SE shows that sometimes even tech giants make mistakes. Schools invested in these devices hoping for a Windows solution to Chromebook dominance. Instead, they got a system that couldn’t deliver on its promises.
The lesson is clear: when choosing school technology, pick what actually works best for students and teachers. Not what the biggest company wants to sell you.