Big news for Windows 10 users—Microsoft is officially cutting support for Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) on Windows 10 starting October 14, 2025. Yes, you read that right. This means that your favorite productivity apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the whole Microsoft Office suite will no longer receive updates or support if you’re still on Windows 10. Sound familiar? It’s the same script we’ve seen before with earlier Windows operating systems like Windows 7 and 8. So, if you've been holding tight to your Windows 10 machine, this announcement might just be the nudge—or shove—you need to consider upgrading.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about this massive change and its impact on your productivity, security, and finances.
In simple terms, if an operating system isn’t getting security updates, it becomes a playground for cybercriminals. For Microsoft, encouraging users to move to Windows 11 isn't just about introducing shiny new features—it's about maintaining a secure ecosystem. With the tech landscape evolving, they’re emphasizing modern tools like advanced security, better hardware integration, and AI-powered features that only Windows 11 offers.
Of course, Microsoft isn’t shy about reminding users of the benefits of upgrading devices. They’ve stated multiple times that PCs today are far more powerful and optimized for next-gen AI features than older systems. In short, it’s a win-win… for them.
In addition, upgrading to Windows 11 promises significant hardware boosts. According to market research firm Canalys, businesses are already making moves toward upgrading their hardware in anticipation of Windows 10’s end-of-life. After all, modern PCs can accomplish far more than legacy machines.
Still, adoption rates for Windows 11 are slower than Microsoft probably expected—only about 34% of PCs are running it as of late 2024, compared to 63% still on Windows 10. Could this EOL announcement tip the scales? Possibly.
This same end-of-support strategy also occurred with Windows 8 and 8.1. Now it’s Windows 10’s turn—and Microsoft knows exactly what they’re doing by tying Office support to it. They’re leveraging Microsoft 365’s deep integration with the OS as a way to nudge users toward the latest tech.
However, doing nothing is not a viable strategy. End-of-support deadlines aren’t just arbitrary dates—they’re critical to ensuring you’re protected from data loss, cyberattacks, and operational hiccups. This announcement isn’t so much a death knell for Windows 10 as it is a wake-up call for staying ahead of the curve.
What will you do? Share your plans and concerns with the WindowsForum.com community below. Are you upgrading, waiting it out, or completely rethinking your productivity suite?
Source: TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-is-officially-cutting-support-for-office-apps-on-windows-10-so-update-now
Let’s break down everything you need to know about this massive change and its impact on your productivity, security, and finances.
Why Is Microsoft Cutting Support?
Microsoft’s decision to end support for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 aligns perfectly with the operating system’s end-of-life (EOL) date—October 14, 2025. At that point, Windows 10 itself will stop receiving updates, including critical security patches, making it obsolete.In simple terms, if an operating system isn’t getting security updates, it becomes a playground for cybercriminals. For Microsoft, encouraging users to move to Windows 11 isn't just about introducing shiny new features—it's about maintaining a secure ecosystem. With the tech landscape evolving, they’re emphasizing modern tools like advanced security, better hardware integration, and AI-powered features that only Windows 11 offers.
Of course, Microsoft isn’t shy about reminding users of the benefits of upgrading devices. They’ve stated multiple times that PCs today are far more powerful and optimized for next-gen AI features than older systems. In short, it’s a win-win… for them.
What "Unsupported" Really Means
If you’re worried Microsoft 365 will vanish into thin air the moment we hit October 2025, take a deep breath. Unsupported doesn’t mean the apps will stop functioning entirely. You’ll still be able to open Word documents, send Excel files, and build PowerPoint presentations. But here’s where things get dicey:- No Security Updates: Once support ends, you’re on your own, meaning any cybersecurity vulnerabilities discovered after October 2025 will remain unpatched. That's a direct threat to your data and devices.
- No New Features: While the apps will continue to work as they are pre-EOL, you won’t see any shiny new features or improvements.
- Compatibility Risks: Over time, you may run into compatibility issues as other software evolves to utilize newer features, leaving Windows 10 in the dust.
- Degraded Performance: Without performance tweaks and bug fixes, apps will become prone to glitches that Microsoft simply won’t fix for you.
What Are Your Options?
Here’s your quick-hit survival guide if you’re a Microsoft 365 user:1. Upgrade to Windows 11
Microsoft has made it quite clear: if you want the full Microsoft 365 experience post-2025, it’s time to upgrade to Windows 11. Not willing to make the switch? Tough luck—you're signing up for a subpar experience.- PCs built within the last few years are likely compatible with Windows 11. You can check your current computer’s eligibility using Microsoft’s PC Health Check Tool.
- Windows 11 also opens the door to newer features, like AI-based enhancements designed to make tasks faster and smarter. For example, Microsoft’s "Copilot" AI is designed to help users automate workflows, write better documents, or even make sense of complex datasets.
2. Use Microsoft 365 in a Browser
For those unwilling or unable to upgrade their OS (e.g., due to older hardware constraints), a decent fallback option is the web-based version of Microsoft 365. You’ll still have access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and even Outlook—all via popular browsers like:- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Firefox (with some limitations in Teams functionality)
3. Switch to Alternatives (or Stay Stubborn)
If upgrading isn’t in the cards, there are freeware alternatives that offer decent substitutes for core Office apps:- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- LibreOffice
- WPS Office
Why the Push for Windows 11 Now?
There are strong business motives behind Microsoft’s urgency for you to move to Windows 11. The company's Surface laptop line, for one, is optimized for Windows 11, and they’re making a big bet on AI-enhanced tools to attract productivity enthusiasts and business users.In addition, upgrading to Windows 11 promises significant hardware boosts. According to market research firm Canalys, businesses are already making moves toward upgrading their hardware in anticipation of Windows 10’s end-of-life. After all, modern PCs can accomplish far more than legacy machines.
Still, adoption rates for Windows 11 are slower than Microsoft probably expected—only about 34% of PCs are running it as of late 2024, compared to 63% still on Windows 10. Could this EOL announcement tip the scales? Possibly.
Industry Trends: A Familiar Pattern
This isn’t Microsoft’s first rodeo. When support ended for Windows 7 in 2020, we saw similar warnings, and yet millions of users stuck with it long past EOL. Fast-forward five years, and the sunsetting of Windows 7 still looms large over some organizations that simply didn’t want to cough up the cash for upgrades.This same end-of-support strategy also occurred with Windows 8 and 8.1. Now it’s Windows 10’s turn—and Microsoft knows exactly what they’re doing by tying Office support to it. They’re leveraging Microsoft 365’s deep integration with the OS as a way to nudge users toward the latest tech.
Conclusion: Play It Smart
The good news? You still have time. With nearly two years left until October 2025, you have ample opportunity to plan your transition. Whether that means upgrading your existing system, buying a new PC, or just resigning yourself to the limitations of browser-based tools, the choice is yours.However, doing nothing is not a viable strategy. End-of-support deadlines aren’t just arbitrary dates—they’re critical to ensuring you’re protected from data loss, cyberattacks, and operational hiccups. This announcement isn’t so much a death knell for Windows 10 as it is a wake-up call for staying ahead of the curve.
What will you do? Share your plans and concerns with the WindowsForum.com community below. Are you upgrading, waiting it out, or completely rethinking your productivity suite?
Source: TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-is-officially-cutting-support-for-office-apps-on-windows-10-so-update-now
