Question 1

What is the EOL Risk Score for Windows 11 21H2 (W)?

Accepted Answer

Windows 11 21H2 (W) has an EOL Risk Score™ of 90 out of 100, placing it in the Critical risk band. The score is calculated from four factors: EOL Recency (40/40), Attack Surface (30/30), CISA KEV Exposure (20/20), and Extended Support Availability (0/10).

Question 2

Is Windows 11 21H2 (W) still supported?

Accepted Answer

Windows 11 21H2 (W) is no longer supported — it has passed its end of life date (October 10, 2023). No further security patches will be issued. Upgrade to a supported version or obtain extended lifecycle support.

Question 3

When does Windows 11 21H2 (W) reach end of life?

Accepted Answer

Windows 11 21H2 (W) reached (or will reach) end of life on October 10, 2023. After this date, no security patches or bug fixes are issued by the vendor.

Question 4

What are the security risks of running Windows 11 21H2 (W) after end of life?

Accepted Answer

After end of life, the vendor's standard support for Windows 11 21H2 (W) ends, so newly discovered vulnerabilities may never be fixed unless a paid extended support option covers that version. Auditors ask about it too: PCI DSS requirement 12.3.4, for example, calls for a yearly review of vendor end-of-life announcements with a remediation plan approved by senior management.