It seems 2025 is shaping up to be a major turning point in the Microsoft ecosystem! Brace yourselves: As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft says goodbye to support for its Office apps on devices running Windows 10. But don't panic (yet); these apps won't stop functioning overnight, but things could get hairy as time progresses. Let’s unpack what this means for users and explore the technical nitty-gritty behind this monumental change.
Microsoft officially announced that Microsoft 365 Apps—the heart and soul behind Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more—will no longer receive support on Windows 10 systems after the latter hits its own end-of-life (EOL) milestone in October 2025. This decision doesn’t only affect Office-app subscribers of Microsoft 365 but also standalone versions like Office 2016, 2019, 2021, and even the upcoming 2024 release.
For anyone holding out on Windows 10, here’s the cold hard truth: You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11 if you want optimal performance, patches, and continued reliability for your Microsoft Office arsenal.
But here's a catch that could raise some eyebrows: even supported Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) or Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) devices—used heavily in industries like healthcare and manufacturing—won’t escape the Office-support sunset. They’ll still run their OS updates, but Office support is officially off the table.
Microsoft reassures users that Office apps won’t turn into useless chunks of code after the support cuts. However, the lack of updates introduces glaring issues over time. Without ongoing support, users may encounter:
So, why the push? Microsoft’s motivation likely stems from the following:
Meanwhile, enterprise users with specialized LTSC or LTSB systems need to check if their configurations will stay secure despite Office's EOL status.
The message from Microsoft? The future is firmly tied to their latest OS, and 2025 could be the tipping point where cutting-edge innovations fully leave legacy systems in the rearview mirror.
So, will you make the leap to Windows 11, or will you remain steadfast in the Windows 10 trenches, braving the frontier without support? Let us know your plans and concerns in the comments! After all, it’s the WindowsForum.com community where your fellow users can lend insight and support.
Source: BleepingComputer Microsoft ends support for Office apps on Windows 10 in October
The Official Announcement: Breaking It All Down
Microsoft officially announced that Microsoft 365 Apps—the heart and soul behind Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more—will no longer receive support on Windows 10 systems after the latter hits its own end-of-life (EOL) milestone in October 2025. This decision doesn’t only affect Office-app subscribers of Microsoft 365 but also standalone versions like Office 2016, 2019, 2021, and even the upcoming 2024 release.For anyone holding out on Windows 10, here’s the cold hard truth: You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11 if you want optimal performance, patches, and continued reliability for your Microsoft Office arsenal.
But here's a catch that could raise some eyebrows: even supported Windows 10 Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) or Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) devices—used heavily in industries like healthcare and manufacturing—won’t escape the Office-support sunset. They’ll still run their OS updates, but Office support is officially off the table.
Does This Mean Your Office Apps Will Stop Working?
Short answer: No. Long answer? Kind of.Microsoft reassures users that Office apps won’t turn into useless chunks of code after the support cuts. However, the lack of updates introduces glaring issues over time. Without ongoing support, users may encounter:
- Performance Degradation: Expect laggy experiences and potential crashes, especially as Office apps get newer features built for the Windows 11 environment.
- Vulnerability to Cyber Threats: Security patches are integral to keeping your Office apps safe from exploits. Without support, vulnerabilities might be exploited by attackers.
- Compatibility Quirks: Over time, Office and its integrations like Teams, OneDrive, or SharePoint may see glitches operating on a "legacy" OS.
Essentially, Office without support is a ticking time bomb—it works until it doesn’t.
Why Now? Why Drop Windows 10?
Here's the context: Windows 10’s worldwide market share is still strong, with over 62% of Windows users rocking the OS. Compare this to the smaller slice of 35% adoption for Windows 11 (numbers might vary slightly by region), and you have millions potentially affected by this change.So, why the push? Microsoft’s motivation likely stems from the following:
- Focus on Windows 11 Adoption:
- Since its launch in October 2021, Windows 11 has been a bit of a tough sell. The decision to cut back Office support might push reluctant users into upgrading.
- TPM 2.0: A Sticking Point:
- A major Windows 11 hurdle has been its system requirements, specifically the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip. Designed to bolster security, it has also locked older hardware out of upgrades without clunky workarounds.
- Streamlining Software Efficiency:
- Supporting legacy systems is costly. Concentrating resources on Windows 11 (and beyond) lets Microsoft focus on innovations in features and tighter app integration.
What’s the Risk of Staying on Windows 10?
For those thinking, “Pfft, I’ll stay on Windows 10 because it works fine!”—let’s inject some realism into your plan. After October 2025, no more updates for your OS means:- Waning Security Standards: Operating systems are a juicy target for attackers. Without updates, newer malware exploits could leave Windows 10 and its Office apps exposed.
- Gradual Platform Fragmentation: Apps and services optimized for Windows 11 will likely perform worse—or break entirely—on Windows 10.
What Are Your Options Moving Forward?
1. Upgrade to Windows 11
It's the obvious choice and the one Microsoft cheerfully promotes. For home users, this transition involves ensuring their hardware meets the following:- TPM 2.0 Support.
- A compatible CPU, such as Intel 8th-generation or AMD Zen-based processors.
2. Extended Security Updates (ESU)
Microsoft’s got you covered—sort of. For a $30 fee, users with Windows 10 Home editions can tap into Extended Security Updates (ESU), granting them one more year of patches after October 2025. Ideal as a stopgap but certainly not a long-term solution.Meanwhile, enterprise users with specialized LTSC or LTSB systems need to check if their configurations will stay secure despite Office's EOL status.
3. Dive into Workarounds
This one’s murky. Tech-savvy users have already cooked up tools to bypass Windows 11's system requirements, especially the TPM hurdle, but proceed cautiously:- Risks Include: Instability, voiding warranties, or legal/licensing headaches.
- Better Workaround? Consider free alternatives like Google Workspace or LibreOffice—but don't expect the same polish or features.
What Else Is on the Horizon for Office Apps in Windows 11?
One big implication of this announcement revolves around Microsoft 365 integration and AI-based enhancements (looking at you, Copilot AI). These premium-grade features, baked into newer versions of Office apps, are tuned for the advanced hardware and security layers that Windows 11 provides. They’re not coming to Windows 10 anytime soon (or ever).The message from Microsoft? The future is firmly tied to their latest OS, and 2025 could be the tipping point where cutting-edge innovations fully leave legacy systems in the rearview mirror.
Closing Thoughts: Will 2025 Be the Year You Finally Upgrade?
Microsoft’s decision may feel like it corners users, but EOL announcements are nothing new in the tech world. Whether you’re ready to embrace change—or clinging to old systems like that comfy pair of sneakers—you should take this announcement seriously. We recommend weighing the costs and benefits of sticking with software no longer supported or embracing the next step forward.So, will you make the leap to Windows 11, or will you remain steadfast in the Windows 10 trenches, braving the frontier without support? Let us know your plans and concerns in the comments! After all, it’s the WindowsForum.com community where your fellow users can lend insight and support.
Source: BleepingComputer Microsoft ends support for Office apps on Windows 10 in October
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