SCCCCyber: Most Windows 11 machines are updating automatically

Friday, May 1, 2026

What is happening now

Microsoft is actively forcing feature updates on unmanaged Windows 11 PCs (Home and most Pro machines not controlled by IT):

Windows 11 24H2 → 25H2
Devices on 24H2 are being automatically upgraded to 25H2 as part of a staged rollout tied to end‑of‑support timelines [pureinfotech.com], [hothardware.com], [techpowerup.com]
Windows 11 22H2 / 23H2 → newer versions earlier (24H2, then 25H2)
Microsoft already made earlier feature updates mandatory once versions reached or neared end of support [learn.microsoft.com], [windowsforum.com]
These upgrades cannot be permanently refused on unmanaged machines — users can only:
- Pause temporarily
- Choose restart timing
  (eventually the update installs) [pureinfotech.com], [notebookcheck.net]

Managed / work devices are NOT all updating automatically:

Enterprise‑managed PCs (Intune, Autopatch, Group Policy, SCCM, etc.) do not get forced feature upgrades
IT controls:
- Which version
- When it deploys
- Whether it’s phased, blocked, or delayed
  using Windows Update rings and feature update policies [learn.microsoft.com]

So if your Windows 11 machine is:

…then it only updates when IT allows it, not because Microsoft says “now.”

A few things are overlapping right now:

Multiple Windows 11 versions hitting end‑of‑service windows
A mandatory April 2026 security update (KB5083769) that installs on supported versions [cybersecur...tynews.com]
Microsoft expanding automatic upgrades to “all unmanaged Home + Pro devices” in April–May 2026 [pureinfotech.com], [notebookcheck.net]

That combination makes it look like every Windows 11 PC is updating — but the split is really unmanaged vs. managed.