Microsoft has discontinued support for its Windows 11 SE variant, a cloud-based operating system designed to compete with ChromeOS in the education space. Released in 2021, Windows 11 SE was aimed at schools and came with a budget-friendly Surface SE laptop. However, Microsoft will no longer provide feature updates or security patches beyond October 2026.
This move marks a shift in Microsoft’s strategy for the education market. Instead of competing directly with ChromeOS, the company is now recommending that schools use the full version of Windows 11. This approach may be challenging given Chromebooks’ dominance in the space due to their ease of management and low hardware costs.
Despite this, educators have noted that cheap Chromebooks often require frequent replacements due to durability issues, leading to significant spending for schools. The end of Windows 11 SE support leaves schools with limited options, as Google’s ChromeOS remains a widely used choice in education.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_abandons_windows_11_se