Come 2025, Microsoft Office apps will no longer be supported on Windows 10. This announcement, delivered with the tact of a farewell party invitation, aligns Office apps’ support timeline with Windows 10's own official end-of-support date: October 14, 2025. Let’s crack this open and get to the core of what it means for users and businesses alike.
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease providing support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 devices. Now, "support" in tech-speak doesn’t mean your apps will evaporate or fall apart like a soggy cupcake—it simply means:
Can you blame them? Windows 10 launched in 2015, and it’s become the tech equivalent of that trusty old couch you’ve been holding onto for a decade. Microsoft is effectively saying, “It’s time for an upgrade.”
Windows 10 won’t just stop being "secure"—it’ll become a burning house with the doors wide open. For example:
But will average users actually refresh their PCs en masse? That hinges on factors like:
What do you think? Is this the push you needed to upgrade? Or do you feel Microsoft’s turning up the pressure unfairly? Let us know in the comments!
Source: How-To Geek Microsoft Office Apps Soon Won’t Be Supported on Windows 10
The Details: What’s Changing?
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease providing support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 devices. Now, "support" in tech-speak doesn’t mean your apps will evaporate or fall apart like a soggy cupcake—it simply means:- No Updates: Microsoft will stop pushing feature updates, bug fixes, and—most critically—security patches for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10.
- Performance Risks: Without regular updates, these apps may develop the digital equivalent of arthritis: slower performance, occasional glitches, and increasing vulnerability to cybersecurity threats.
Why This Change?
Microsoft’s decision to tie the discontinuation of Office apps support to Windows 10's end-of-life makes sense. Windows 10 itself will no longer receive updates from Microsoft by October 2025, leaving its ecosystem outdated. By ending support for Office apps on this aging operating system, Microsoft is likely aiming to prioritize new technologies and push users to Windows 11, the shiny new model in Microsoft's operating system lineup.Can you blame them? Windows 10 launched in 2015, and it’s become the tech equivalent of that trusty old couch you’ve been holding onto for a decade. Microsoft is effectively saying, “It’s time for an upgrade.”
What Are Your Options?
If you're clinging to Windows 10 like a security blanket, this news might send a chill down your spine. But don’t worry—there are workarounds:1. Upgrade to Windows 11
- This is Microsoft’s preferred solution. In fact, they’ve been actively nudging users toward Windows 11, sometimes with not-so-subtle reminders (read: fullscreen ads).
- By switching to Windows 11, you’ll continue to get the full Microsoft 365 experience: regular feature updates, reliable security patches, and seamless functionality.
However, this transition isn’t without hurdles. Microsoft’s lofty hardware requirements for Windows 11, such as needing TPM 2.0 and better processing power, can block compatibility for older devices. If your hardware isn’t supported, there’s only one uncomfortable option—buy a new PC.
2. Stick with Standalone Office Versions
- If you balk at the idea of subscription-based software, there’s a proverbial lighthouse in the dark: Microsoft Office 2024. This standalone Office suite will continue to work (and remain supported) on Windows 10 for some time beyond 2025. However, Microsoft hasn’t announced when support for Office 2024 on Windows 10 will eventually end, so this could delay—rather than solve—the support issue.
3. Leverage Alternatives
- Free or open-source Office alternatives, such as LibreOffice, continue to support older operating systems like Windows 10. While they lack some of the seamless integrations of Microsoft 365, they’re more than sufficient for basic document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
- To sweeten the transition, Microsoft’s own Web App versions of 365 (available in modern browsers) may suffice for users who only need Office on the cloud.
4. Extended Support Program
- Microsoft offers an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for businesses, enabling critical security updates for Windows 10 devices through to 2026. But at $30 (or more) per device, this option may not be feasible for personal users or smaller organizations.
What This Means for Security
Sticking with unsupported software presents a huge risk, especially for businesses. After October 2025, Windows 10 systems—and their associated Office apps—will become a ripe target for cybercriminals. Security patches are Microsoft’s way of plugging vulnerabilities hackers discover. Without them, malware and ransomware have a jackpot opportunity.Windows 10 won’t just stop being "secure"—it’ll become a burning house with the doors wide open. For example:
- Phishing attacks could be deadlier: Outdated Office apps might not detect malicious links or embedded malware in Word and Excel files.
- Data breaches could skyrocket: Businesses storing sensitive customer data on Windows 10 systems might expose themselves to liability.
Why Is Microsoft Doing This?
From a corporate perspective, maintaining old systems costs more than it’s worth. By nudging users toward newer software and operating systems, Microsoft ensures:- Better Security: Windows 11 has stronger baked-in security features, like better encryption and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) support.
- More Revenue: Businesses upgrading en masse? That’s guaranteed profit.
- Unified Ecosystem: Pushing users to a single operating system reduces Microsoft’s headaches related to supporting a fractured user base.
A Sneak Peek into the Future: The "Windows 11 PC Refresh Year"
Microsoft seems fully committed to making 2025 the Year of the Windows 11 Refresh. The company’s executives, including Yusuf Mehdi, are already hyping it at events like CES 2025, claiming PCs will become the must-refresh tech product that year.But will average users actually refresh their PCs en masse? That hinges on factors like:
- Windows 11 public perception: Gimmicky enhancements won’t cut it. Users want solid reasons to adopt the new OS.
- Cost considerations: Some users might not stomach another $1,000+ PC upgrade, especially if their six-year-old Windows 10 machine still chugs along fine.
- Compatibility fixes: Many users were alienated by Windows 11’s stringent requirements. Microsoft needs to offer solutions for those with middle-aged (but still functional) hardware.
TL;DR Summary
Microsoft’s announcement boils down to this: Windows 10 is on its way out, and Microsoft Office apps will join it by October 2025. You’ve got options—upgrade to Windows 11, try Office alternatives, or stick with Office 2024 temporarily. But hanging onto unsupported apps and systems might leave you vulnerable to cybersecurity threats down the road. For both casual users and businesses, it’s time to start planning.What do you think? Is this the push you needed to upgrade? Or do you feel Microsoft’s turning up the pressure unfairly? Let us know in the comments!
Source: How-To Geek Microsoft Office Apps Soon Won’t Be Supported on Windows 10
