Microsoft kills Windows 11 SE, another in a long line of failed ChromeOS competitors

Microsoft has announced its decision to discontinue updates for Windows 11 SE, a tailored version of Windows 11 designed to rival Google's ChromeOS in educational environments. This news surfaced discreetly through a Microsoft support document, noted by the German site Dr. Windows, revealing that the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update will not be available for Windows 11 SE users. The support document further clarifies that while security updates for Windows 11 SE will continue until October 2026, they will cease alongside the support for Windows 11 24H2. "Support for Windows 11 SE—including software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes—will end in October 2026," the document states. Users are encouraged to consider transitioning to devices that support other editions of Windows 11 to maintain security and support. Over the years, Microsoft has launched several initiatives aimed at challenging Google's dominance in the education sector with cost-effective laptops. In 2014, the company introduced "Windows 8.1 with Bing," which offered reduced licensing fees in exchange for setting Bing as the default search engine. In 2017, Windows 10 S was unveiled to simplify app management for IT administrators by restricting installations to those available in the Microsoft Store. This version eventually evolved into "S Mode" in 2018, allowing users to lift restrictions without incurring additional costs.