Microsoft is tightening its belt, tidying up its services, and saying farewell to several legacy Microsoft 365 features and tools in 2025. Change is on the horizon, and IT administrators, prepare yourselves — it’s going to be a bumpy road. From streamlined operations to enhanced security, Microsoft is laying the groundwork for its ecosystem's future. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details and dissect what this means for you, your organization, and your users.
From command-line PowerShell cmdlets in Microsoft Teams to legacy functionality in products like OneNote and older Office applications, several tools are either reaching their end of life (EOL) or undergoing significant behind-the-scenes recalibration. Let’s break down the changes and their implications.
Simultaneously, other Microsoft 365-related EOL events include:
The key to success here is early preparation. By prioritizing upgrades, training, and rigorous planning, organizations can handle the changes with minimal disruption and even find ways to improve operational efficiencies in the process. So buckle in — Microsoft 365’s future may bid adieu to its past, but it promises an ecosystem better tailored to modern challenges and opportunities.
Source: IT Pro Admins beware, these Microsoft 365 features are being cut in 2025
2025: A Year of Transition for Microsoft 365
Microsoft’s evolving ecosystem is no stranger to refresh cycles, but 2025 is shaping up as a significant pruning year. The software and services giant aims to ensure all users have access to tools that meet modern security standards, usability demands, and performance efficiencies. That said, these changes may leave a wide swath of organizations scrambling to adapt.From command-line PowerShell cmdlets in Microsoft Teams to legacy functionality in products like OneNote and older Office applications, several tools are either reaching their end of life (EOL) or undergoing significant behind-the-scenes recalibration. Let’s break down the changes and their implications.
1. The Axe Falls on Legacy Teams Features
Microsoft Teams, the communication hub that exploded onto the productivity scene during the remote work boom, is seeing some old features retired.- Cmdlets Being Eliminated (January 25, 2025):
Get-CsDialPlan cmdlet- The
DialPlanattribute (removed fromGet-CsOnlineUser cmdlet) - The
LocationProfileattribute (gone from theGet-CsUserPolicyAssignment cmdlet)
- Classic Teams Desktop App (July 1, 2025): Microsoft is putting the classic version of the Teams desktop application to rest. Users will need to migrate to the new Teams app, which promises faster performance, improved UX, and tighter integration with Microsoft 365. For those feeling nostalgic, the Teams web app remains available.
2. Changes to Exchange Online Tokens
- Impact of Token Removal (February – June 2025):
- Starting in February, legacy Exchange Online tokens will be deactivated across all Microsoft tenants. Organizations may temporarily re-enable these with PowerShell commands, but by June 2025, the service will permanently end these tokens, citing security concerns.
Additionally, starting in June, services will no longer be allowed to gain blanket access to multiple mailboxes. This marks yet another pro-security pivot from Microsoft.
3. SharePoint’s Web Part Evolution
- Retirement of Domain-Isolated Web Parts (April 2025):
SharePoint developers using domain-isolated web parts will need to brace themselves. This feature allowed for segregation between pages and components to boost security and reduce component conflicts. Microsoft claims limited usage and administrative overhead as its reasons for discontinuation.
Alternatives: Developers will need to lean on SharePoint’s modern web part integrations, which focus on ease of use, scalability, and stronger cloud security practices.
4. End of the Road for Certain Office Versions
Office users clinging onto older software versions will need to take stock. On October 14, 2025, support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 will formally end. Continuous updates and patches, including security fixes, will stop arriving. Microsoft strongly recommends upgrading to the latest Microsoft 365 offerings to ensure ongoing compatibility and protection.Simultaneously, other Microsoft 365-related EOL events include:
- OneNote for Windows 10: Support ends on October 14, 2025. Don’t worry; the standalone OneNote app for Office remains alive and well.
- Microsoft 365 Applications on Server 2016/2019: These applications will cease to be supported from October 25, 2025. Organizations will need to upgrade their server environments to modern ecosystems.
5. The End of Office 365 Connectors in Teams
Microsoft 365 Connectors — a tool used for integrating third-party applications into Teams — will sunset by the end of 2025. While specific dates are yet to be announced, this change could disrupt workflows that depend on automated data ingestion from external sources.6. The Windows 10 Countdown Continues
Lastly, the impending death knell for Windows 10 looms larger. Microsoft will officially end mainstream support for its beloved operating system on October 14, 2025, with extended support available, at a cost, for an additional three years. If you're still part of the 82% of devices yet to migrate to Windows 11 (based on 2024 data), the clock is ticking. The transition isn't just about new features — it's about minimizing vulnerabilities and preparing infrastructure for integration with modern Microsoft 365 developments.What This Means for IT Admins
There's no denying that 2025 is set to be a stressful year for IT administrators. Ensuring compliance with deadlines, minimizing disruption to users, and aligning systems with Microsoft’s ongoing modernization drive will require strategic planning.Steps to Prepare for the Microsoft 365 Transition
- Audit Your Systems: Catalog tools and integrations that rely on features facing deprecation.
- Focus on Exchange Online tokens, custom SharePoint web parts, and older Office installations.
- Upgrade Infrastructure:
- Begin planning your migration to Windows 11 if you haven’t already.
- Update Office 2016 and 2019 users to Microsoft 365 or Office LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel).
- Train Your Workforce: Make sure users are prepared for application changes. For example:
- Introduce them to the new Teams app features.
- Familiarize admins with any PowerShell changes needed post-cmdlets retirement.
- Review Licensing Costs: Evaluate the financial impact of necessary upgrades on your Microsoft licensing agreements.
- Strengthen Security: Microsoft’s changes heavily emphasize newer, more secure protocols. Take this opportunity to conduct a broader cybersecurity review across your organization.
Final Thoughts
The planned feature cuts may come off as heavy-handed, but Microsoft argues these changes will ultimately benefit performance, reduce security risks, and enhance productivity. Whether you see the upcoming transition as necessary progress or an operational headache, one thing’s clear — 2025 is a pivotal year for users of Microsoft 365 and IT admins alike.The key to success here is early preparation. By prioritizing upgrades, training, and rigorous planning, organizations can handle the changes with minimal disruption and even find ways to improve operational efficiencies in the process. So buckle in — Microsoft 365’s future may bid adieu to its past, but it promises an ecosystem better tailored to modern challenges and opportunities.
Source: IT Pro Admins beware, these Microsoft 365 features are being cut in 2025
