As we turn the page in the tech world, the year 2025 appears to be a landmark moment for IT administrators, Microsoft 365 users, and anyone using Windows environments. From sweeping feature retirements in Microsoft 365 to the official end of support for Windows 10, there’s a lot to unpack. Buckle up, readers! Let’s decode all the essential deadlines laid out by Microsoft and figure out what actions IT professionals and organizations need to take before flipping the metaphorical switch.
Here's the big takeaway: you don’t want to be running an unsupported OS. Hackers relish these moments when a platform they're familiar with no longer gets patched, exploiting vulnerabilities like kids raiding a candy store afterhours. If you haven’t already, it’s time to plan a migration strategy to Windows 11 or newer. Start your compatibility testing and workforce transition strategies yesterday.
But that’s just the appetizer. The rest of the Microsoft ecosystem has its landmarks ahead, too.
For IT admins still relying on the older cmdlets, it’s a bit like clinging to a flip phone in an iPhone world—it’s time to upgrade your scripts and tooling.
Replacement Path: Modernize workflows via Microsoft Graph API. While RBAC gave broad access, Microsoft Graph offers a more granular, secure, and modular approach, giving admins tighter reins and enhanced compliance. If you're unfamiliar with Graph, now's the time to brush up. (Pro tip: Start with small pilot runs to implement Graph in your organization.)
The recommended course? Switch everything to regular web parts. Remember, you’re not losing functionality here—just a layer of complexity you didn’t need in the first place.
Admins: If you’ve been delaying the OAuth journey, this is your final boarding call. It’s like moving from locking your door with a rusty chain to using fingerprint-based locks—you owe it to your users.
Got any key processes or dependencies that these retirements are affecting? Join the conversation in the forums, because this community thrives on knowledge-sharing and tech solidarity.
Let’s keep those gears running smoothly, Windows warriors!
Source: Petri IT Knowledgebase Key Deadlines IT Admins Need to Know for Microsoft 365 Products and Features
The Countdown to Windows 10's Retirement
First and foremost, perhaps the most dramatic headline here is Windows 10 reaching the end of support on October 14, 2025. This marks the official "doomsday" for Windows 10, after which no new updates, security patches, or official bug fixes will be available.Here's the big takeaway: you don’t want to be running an unsupported OS. Hackers relish these moments when a platform they're familiar with no longer gets patched, exploiting vulnerabilities like kids raiding a candy store afterhours. If you haven’t already, it’s time to plan a migration strategy to Windows 11 or newer. Start your compatibility testing and workforce transition strategies yesterday.
But that’s just the appetizer. The rest of the Microsoft ecosystem has its landmarks ahead, too.
Microsoft 365: What's Departing and What's Replacing It?
Microsoft plans to retire several prominent services and features across Microsoft 365 throughout 2025. Here's a breakdown of the main phases with real-world context, helping you understand exactly what’s at stake.1. Teams PowerShell Cmdlet Updates
Later this month, key Teams PowerShell cmdlets likeGet-CsDialPlan and attributes like DialPlan from Get-CsOnlineUser begin riding off into the sunset. The recommended alternative? Use the Get-CsEffectiveTenantDialPlan cmdlet.For IT admins still relying on the older cmdlets, it’s a bit like clinging to a flip phone in an iPhone world—it’s time to upgrade your scripts and tooling.
2. Exchange Online Legacy Tokens
Microsoft is rolling out a phased retirement of legacy tokens for Exchange Online.- February 2025: Temporary PowerShell options to re-enable legacy tokens.
- June 2025: These re-enabling capabilities disappear.
- October 2025: All tenants will see these tokens disabled permanently.
3. RBAC Application Roles in Exchange Online
By February 2025, Microsoft plans to retire the RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) application impersonation role for Exchange Online due to evolving security standards. This role traditionally allowed service applications to access multiple mailboxes simultaneously.Replacement Path: Modernize workflows via Microsoft Graph API. While RBAC gave broad access, Microsoft Graph offers a more granular, secure, and modular approach, giving admins tighter reins and enhanced compliance. If you're unfamiliar with Graph, now's the time to brush up. (Pro tip: Start with small pilot runs to implement Graph in your organization.)
4. Azure AD and MSOnline PowerShell Modules
By March 2025, the older Azure AD and MSOnline PowerShell modules will lose their lifeline. Microsoft is pushing admins to embrace the Graph PowerShell SDK, which offers robust integration with APIs and ensures compatibility moving forward. If your existing scripts are still stuck in the antiquated "MSOnline-cloud" era, migrating them to Graph PowerShell essentially safeguards your automation efforts.5. SharePoint Framework Changes
Microsoft plans to disable domain-isolated web parts for new tenants, beginning April 2025, with complete retirement across existing tenants by April 2026. These web parts, popular for creating domain-independent elements, introduced performance bottlenecks in large-scale deployments.The recommended course? Switch everything to regular web parts. Remember, you’re not losing functionality here—just a layer of complexity you didn’t need in the first place.
6. Classic Microsoft Teams Desktop App Bows Out
On July 1, 2025, Microsoft will officially sunset the classic Teams client. Users still running it will need to migrate to the modern Teams app—don’t worry, it’s faster and sleeker—or switch to accessing Teams via the web. This is a tidy upgrade that streamlines workloads and clicks.7. End of Basic Authentication Inside Exchange Online
By September 2025, Microsoft will terminate basic authentication (Basic Auth) for client submission in Exchange. It's time to bring out the OAuth toolkit to secure all SMTP services.Admins: If you’ve been delaying the OAuth journey, this is your final boarding call. It’s like moving from locking your door with a rusty chain to using fingerprint-based locks—you owe it to your users.
8. Final Adieu to Office 2016 and Office 2019
October 14, 2025—mark your calendars again, because Office 2016 and Office 2019 users are also being gently nudged toward obsolescence. Microsoft 365 Apps is the preferred future, providing near-infinite scalability and always-current updates. Oh, and let’s not forget: Microsoft 365 apps won’t work on Windows Server 2016 or 2019 anymore.9. Retirement of Viva Goals
Got targets set in Viva Goals? By December 31, 2025, this feature becomes a memory. Admins should disable auto-renewals and export their data through APIs, Excel, or PowerPoint files.What Does This All Mean for IT Admins?
Microsoft isn’t just arbitrarily pulling features or leaving users in the lurch. These changes are part of a much larger strategy to enhance the efficiency, security, and reliability of Microsoft systems. However, adapting to this roadmap isn’t effortless:- Inventory Assessment: Begin by auditing what services, add-ins, and solutions within your organization depend on these soon-to-be-retired features.
- Migration Timelines: Create detailed transition timelines aligned with Microsoft’s deadlines. Procrastination won’t end well here.
- Training and Enablement: Empower IT teams to learn about Microsoft Graph, modern Teams architecture, and the updated PowerShell modules.
The Bigger Framework: Microsoft’s Vision
Microsoft’s goals appear rooted in a commitment to Zero Trust security models, robust APIs, and seamless interconnectivity between their cloud-native services. Yes, the upheavals can be frustrating, but the reward is resiliency—a system that offers tighter control over data, stronger integrations, and eliminates a significant number of legacy vulnerabilities.Final Thoughts
It’s time to buckle down, IT techies and business leaders: 2025 is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Between planning migrations, upgrading legacy systems, and ensuring continuity in workflows, there's plenty to keep admins occupied. Remember, proactive planning now saves you from a lot of scrambling later.Got any key processes or dependencies that these retirements are affecting? Join the conversation in the forums, because this community thrives on knowledge-sharing and tech solidarity.
Let’s keep those gears running smoothly, Windows warriors!
Source: Petri IT Knowledgebase Key Deadlines IT Admins Need to Know for Microsoft 365 Products and Features
