After the operating system’s support ends in 2025, Windows 10 users will still be able to access security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps. To give consumers more time to switch to Windows 11, Microsoft stated that security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 would be extended until October 14, 2028.
An earlier ruling that would have terminated support for Microsoft 365 Apps concurrently with the end of life for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, was overturned by the policy update, which was released on May 8, 2025.
The report stated, “Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support to help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11.”
Microsoft is working hard to upgrade Windows 11 by 2025
At CES earlier this year, Microsoft declared that 2025 will be “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh,” indicating their desire for people to update to the new operating system. Microsoft corporate vice president Yusuf Mehdi even went so far as to say that updating your Windows 10 computer would be more crucial than updating your TV or phone.
“We think the refrigerator, television, and cell phone aren’t the most significant pieces of technology that people will look to update in 2025,” Mehdi stated. “They’re going to upgrade to Windows 11 from their Windows 10 PC.”
The company first said earlier this year that it would stop providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps running on Windows 10.
According to a January support page on Microsoft’s website, “using an unsupported operating system can cause performance and reliability issues when running Microsoft 365 Apps, even though apps like Word will continue to work after Windows 10 reaches end of support.”
As upgrades are limited by hardware constraints, Windows 11 adoption slows
The reason for Microsoft’s reversal on 365 Apps support could be that Windows 11 adoption is trailing behind that of Windows 10. The rigorous hardware requirements of the more recent operating system are probably one of the causes. Full-screen notifications advising Windows 10 users to purchase a new computer rather than simply upgrade to Windows 11 have been disregarded by many.
Microsoft isn’t abandoning Windows 10 users who don’t want to update their machines, even with the intrusive screen prompts. Extended Security Updates (ESU) will be available for $30 for a year for the first time. Companies can purchase ESU for $61 per device for a year or for $122 per device for three years.
Mehdi clarified that while enrolled PCs will still receive Critical and Important security updates for Windows 10, Microsoft will no longer provide new features, bug fixes, or technical support.
