Microsoft mostly abandons Windows 11 SE pursuit - Chromebook rivals appear victorious
Microsoft has announced that it will be ending support for Windows 11 SE on Surface Laptop SE devices by October 2026, marking an early retirement for the lightweight, education-focused operating system. This decision comes as Microsoft discontinues the Windows 11 SE operating system altogether.
Introduced in 2021, Windows 11 SE was Microsoft's latest attempt to challenge Google's Chromebooks in K-8 classrooms. However, the OS failed to gain significant traction, and Microsoft has since shifted away from this project. This is evident in the cessation of the anticipated 25H2 feature update and the company's refocus on other platforms.
With the end of support, no further feature updates, security fixes, or technical support will be provided for Windows 11 SE beyond October 2026. Users are advised to transition to laptops running regular editions of Windows 11 to ensure continued support and security.
The performance level of devices running Windows 11 SE, including the Surface Laptop SE, was reportedly poor, according to Windows Central's review. However, a Reddit thread suggests that turning off Secure Boot in the laptop's BIOS can help users install Windows 11 Home or Pro on an SE machine.
Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 11 SE earlier than the Surface Laptop SE's end-of-service date for firmware and drivers (January 11, 2028) may leave owners in a lurch. The company's move may not endear it to some people, particularly in the education sector.
It's important to note that Windows 11 SE was designed as a streamlined operating system for low-cost devices in the education sector. The interface was simplified for students, locking the system to only admin-approved apps and cloud services, rather than actually streamlining the operating system for better performance on lesser hardware.
Microsoft's previous attempt to compete with Chromebooks, Windows 10X, also failed and was cancelled before its release. Despite the low cost of Chromebooks, their performance is reportedly very slick, which may have contributed to the struggles of Windows 11 SE.
In conclusion, Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 11 SE earlier than anticipated marks the end of the line for this operating system. Users are advised to prepare for the transition to other editions of Windows 11 to ensure continued support and security for their devices.
In the education sector, users running Windows 11 SE on their laptops, such as the Surface Laptop SE, will no longer receive any further feature updates, security fixes, or technical support after October 2026. To ensure continued support and security, it's recommended that users transition to laptops running regular editions of Windows 11. The initial performance of devices running Windows 11 SE was reportedly poor, and some users have found a workaround to install Windows 11 Home or Pro on an SE machine by turning off Secure Boot in the laptop's BIOS.
