Microsoft Discontinues Store Apps: Transitioning to Click-to-Run for Microsoft 365

In a move that will have a direct impact on businesses, educational institutions, and everyday Windows users alike, Microsoft has announced it will discontinue updates for Microsoft 365 apps installed via the Microsoft Store, pivoting exclusively to the Click-to-Run installation method in the coming years. Although the apps themselves may look identical regardless of installation method, the underlying deployment models are fundamentally distinct, and Microsoft’s decision marks a shift with notable ramifications for security, manageability, and cloud integration across the Windows ecosystem.

Understanding Microsoft 365 Installation Types​

Microsoft 365, which encompasses staple apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, can be installed on Windows PCs in two different ways: via the Microsoft Store or through the Click-to-Run (C2R) installer. While both approaches provide access to the latest Office tools, their technical underpinnings and operational practicalities differ significantly.

The Microsoft Store Installation​

The Store-based version utilizes the Appx package format, leveraging technology designed for Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. This model emphasizes sandboxing, consistent update mechanisms, and predictable app management through the Microsoft Store interface. For most end users, Microsoft Store install versions have represented an easy, familiar way to get up and running with Office apps, with updates handled alongside other Store apps and minimal configuration required.

Click-to-Run: Microsoft’s Preferred Future​

In contrast, the Click-to-Run model is a proprietary installer derived from Microsoft’s Application Virtualization (App-V) principles, though not a full App-V package. It provides a self-contained virtualized environment for Microsoft 365 apps, yet is designed to integrate more deeply with the Windows OS and enterprise management frameworks. Click-to-Run is delivered via a streaming installer (.exe), permitting users to start using Office apps before the full download is complete, while background processes manage updates, patches, and integrations.

Why Is Microsoft Making the Change?​

Microsoft’s push to abandon Store-based installations isn’t merely a technicality — it reflects a broader strategy to streamline administration, optimize security, and accelerate feature delivery across its extensive customer base. According to Microsoft and corroborated by analysis from independent tech publications, several key factors underpin the decision:

• Customization Limitations: Store-based installs could not be customized using XML configuration files and failed to support key enterprise needs, such as multi-user environments and policies set via Intune or Configuration Manager.
• Update Channel Flexibility: Office updates for Store versions were tied to Windows Updates, reducing the agility and control available to IT administrators.
• Enterprise Integration: Click-to-Run is tightly integrated with Microsoft’s cloud services, enabling rapid rollout of new features (such as Copilot AI capabilities), granular telemetry controls, and robust automated provisioning.
• Simplified Administration: Enterprises can manage update channels (Monthly Enterprise, Semi-Annual, etc.), automate provisioning, enforce company-wide settings, and revoke or assign licenses from a central dashboard, features unavailable to Store-based apps.

In essence, the retirement of Store-based installations and the transition to Click-to-Run align with Microsoft’s enterprise-focused approach, while also ensuring that security and feature rollouts happen as efficiently as possible for every end user.

Timeline: Key Dates to Watch​

Microsoft’s transition plan is clear and unambiguous:

• October 2025: Microsoft Store installation type of Office (Microsoft 365) apps will stop receiving new feature updates.
• December 2026: Security updates for Store-based Office apps will cease entirely.
• Ongoing: Users are encouraged to migrate to Click-to-Run to maintain access to new features and critical patches.

This timeline, initially detailed in Microsoft’s official documentation and echoed by major outlets such as Windows Latest and BleepingComputer, gives users and organizations a clear roadmap to plan migrations and avoid the risks associated with unsupported software.

Risks of Sticking With Microsoft Store Office Installations​

For end users, the most immediate risk of ignoring the migration advisory is a gradual loss of features and, eventually, exposure to security vulnerabilities. Enterprises and educational institutions, however, face considerably higher stakes:

• Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Without regular security updates, Store-installed Office apps may become a vector for malware, ransomware, and sophisticated zero-day attacks.
• Compliance Risks: Organizations subject to regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or NIST standards risk falling out of compliance if using unsupported software.
• Feature Parity Loss: Innovation in AI-powered Office features, most notably Copilot and other integrated cloud services, will rapidly outpace what’s available to Store-based installs.
• Difficulty in Centralized Management: Without the ability to control updates, deploy configuration policies, or manage licenses centrally, IT departments will find themselves burdened by inefficiencies and increased security risks.

Notable Strengths of the Click-to-Run Approach​

Microsoft’s emphasis on Click-to-Run isn’t without strong justification. Among the most significant advantages:

1. Faster Feature Delivery​

Click-to-Run leverages a cloud-native delivery mechanism for rapid distribution of new features. Microsoft’s Copilot AI, as well as features like Loop Components or advanced Excel integrations, are rolled out first and most reliably to Click-to-Run installs. In rapidly evolving work environments, this means businesses can respond quickly to new productivity trends.

2. Superior Update and Patch Management​

C2R’s update channels let IT decide exactly when and how users receive updates — a major improvement over the sometimes unpredictable schedule of Store updates tied to Windows Update cycles. This enables organizations to test patches before broad deployment, reducing the risk of breaking changes or disruptions.

3. Powerful Customization and Automation​

From unattended deployments to mass rollouts with custom settings, Click-to-Run offers comprehensive options for scripting, automation, and integration with provisioning tools like Autopilot, Intune, and Configuration Manager. Shared-device activation, automated licensing, and feature gating are all supported.

4. Enhanced Security​

Virtualization techniques used by Click-to-Run help isolate Office apps from the underlying OS, reducing the risk that a vulnerability in Office could compromise the entire device. Fast security patching closes vulnerability windows rapidly, a critical factor given the high value of Office as a target for attackers.

5. Deeper Analytics and Telemetry​

For organizations keen on usage analytics, compliance auditing, and proactive operations management, Click-to-Run’s integration with Microsoft’s cloud telemetry and logging allows for unprecedented visibility. IT admins can monitor adoption rates, troubleshoot issues, and derive insights across fleets of thousands of endpoints.

Critical Analysis: Potential Drawbacks and Unresolved Questions​

While the move to standardize on Click-to-Run brings numerous benefits, there are important caveats and risks that Microsoft users should consider.

Possible Disruption for Smaller Organizations and Home Users​

The process of migrating from Microsoft Store installations to Click-to-Run, while described by Microsoft as “painless,” could still pose challenges for less technical users. Explicit instructions are provided for migration (see below), but situations with expired licensing, shared PCs, or custom local setups may require additional support.

Loss of Simplicity​

Microsoft Store installations offered an “it just works” experience, with automatic updates and little to no user intervention required. Some users may find the extra steps involved in Click-to-Run installation — downloading an installer, authenticating with Microsoft accounts, manually removing previous versions — to be more complex or intimidating.

Dependency on Internet Connectivity​

Because Click-to-Run is optimized for streaming installs from the cloud, organizations in environments with unreliable Internet connectivity or strict air-gapped security requirements may find deployments more cumbersome. While offline deployment methods are available, these are more complex and less frequently updated than their online counterparts.

Compatibility in Constrained Environments​

Legacy environments, such as Windows devices with strict policies, kiosk setups, or multi-user educational labs, may have relied on the Microsoft Store approach for its lightweight, locked-down nature. Although Click-to-Run supports multi-user configurations, some niche scenarios may require additional configuration or custom solutions.

Limited Advanced User Control​

While Click-to-Run excels in enterprise management, advanced home users who previously relied on the predictability of Store-installed updates may find the increased number of configuration settings initially confusing. Documentation gaps or inconsistent messaging from support teams could lead to misconfigurations — a particular risk in mixed environments.

Step-by-Step: How to Check and Migrate Your Microsoft 365 Install​

With the official end-of-support dates looming, it’s essential for users to verify their current Office installation and, if necessary, begin the migration process.

How to Check Your Office Installation Type​

• Open any Microsoft 365 (Office) application (e.g., Word).
• Click File in the upper left.
• Select Account (typically at the bottom left).
• On the right-hand side, next to the “About Word” button, look for either “Click-to-Run” or “Microsoft Store.” Both will also show a version and build number.

If your label reads “Click-to-Run,” you’re set. If it reads “Microsoft Store,” you’ll need to upgrade.

Migrating to Click-to-Run: The Process​

• Save Work and Close All Office Apps: Make sure to save any open documents and fully close all Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Access the Official Download: Go to the official Microsoft 365 download page, sign in with the account tied to your Office license.
• Download the Office Deployment Tool (ODT): Click “Download” to get the setup executable.
• Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded file. The installer will detect any Microsoft Store installs of Office, remove them, and proceed to install the Click-to-Run version.
• Verify Installation: After installation, repeat the installation check to confirm that “Click-to-Run” is displayed in your Office app information.

According to multiple independent guides, including the official Microsoft support documentation and reporting from WindowsLatest and BleepingComputer, this process is non-destructive, does not require re-purchasing a license, and generally preserves user settings. However, users should be aware that cached credentials and some personalization settings may require re-authentication or manual re-entry.

Impact on IT Administrators and Enterprises​

For IT administrators, the end of Store-based installations means that the management of Microsoft 365 apps becomes more streamlined but may require additional planning. Centralized management tools like Intune, Endpoint Configuration Manager, and Autopilot are now fully supported. Enterprises can leverage these to:

• Push Office updates to targeted groups or all users
• Roll out feature updates in testing phases (pilot/broad)
• Manage shared-device activation for education and call center scenarios
• Integrate with Azure Active Directory (AAD) for advanced policy and identity management

The net effect is that enterprises gain substantially more control — but must ensure that all new and existing installs are moved to the C2R model ahead of Microsoft’s cutoff dates.

End-User Experience and Feature Access​

For most everyday users, the short-term impact of this change will be marginal. Usability remains consistent, core functionality stable, and migration is typically seamless. However, the benefits — particularly with regard to access to new features, improved cloud-powered AI (like Copilot), and faster security updates — become clear over time.
It’s also worth noting that certain advanced AI features, such as Copilot, require not only migration to Click-to-Run but also an active Microsoft 365 subscription; these features are not universally available to perpetual license holders or home-and-student editions.

Third-Party and Industry Reactions​

The shift has been positively received among enterprise IT professionals, with many citing improved manageability, security posture, and user experience. However, some online communities and power users have expressed frustration at the loss of a lightweight Store installation, particularly for device-constrained or shared-access environments.
Industry analysts at Gartner and Forrester have generally supported Microsoft’s move, arguing that it is consistent with broader trends towards consolidation around cloud-native management and deployment solutions. Nonetheless, both firms caution organizations to allocate sufficient resources for testing and rollout to avoid disruption.

Future Outlook and What Comes Next​

With the retirement of the Microsoft Store install pathway, Microsoft solidifies a clear vision for the future: unified deployment, centralized management, and accelerated feature delivery powered by cloud technologies. For organizations and end users, the imperative is clear — adapting to this new normal well before end-of-support deadlines in 2025 and 2026.
For Microsoft, this pivot demonstrates a confidence in the scalability and reliability of Click-to-Run and the company’s larger cloud ambitions. For users, the change entails both opportunity — with faster access to features and improved security — and responsibility, as it necessitates proactive migration and ongoing awareness of shifting support timelines.

Conclusion: Time to Migrate​

Microsoft’s decision to end support and updates for Store-based Microsoft 365 installations is a strategic one, benefiting end users with faster feature access, greater reliability, and stronger security — but only if acted upon. With a clear roadmap, ample warnings, and straightforward migration paths, most users and organizations should be able to transition with minimal disruption.
Still, as with any major change, vigilance and planning are essential. Users should check their installation type as soon as possible, begin migration plans, and stay informed as support deadlines draw nearer. The future of Microsoft 365 on Windows will be cloud-native, centrally managed, and more capable than ever — provided users take the necessary steps today.

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Source: windowslatest.com Microsoft 365 installs via Windows Store will stop getting updates