Preparing for Microsoft's End of Support: Windows 10 and Office After 2025

As we approach October 14, 2025, a significant era in Microsoft's ecosystem is coming to an end—not just for Windows 10, but also for Microsoft Office (in its various versions) on this outgoing OS. While headlines warning of "end of support" might sound like doomsday proclamations, there’s still plenty of clarity and paths forward for both casual and professional users. So let’s break this down in granular detail, make sense of what the end of support really means, and offer solutions for navigating this shift.

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What is Actually Happening?​

Microsoft has confirmed that after October 14, 2025, its Microsoft 365 apps (previously Office 365) and standalone Office products will no longer be supported on devices running Windows 10. This places Microsoft Office into the same calendar as Windows 10, which is also due to lose its all-important security and bug-fix updates on the same date.
For context, "support ending" doesn't mean that these applications or Windows 10 will suddenly stop working. You’ll still be able to fire up Excel, type reports in Word, and create PowerPoint presentations post-October 2025. However, support cutoff brings its own crucial trade-offs:

• Vulnerability to Security Risks: Without operating system updates or Microsoft 365-specific patches, users are likely to face increased security threats, especially from malicious actors targeting older systems.
• Potential Performance Issues: Operating an unsupported version of Office on an outdated OS (i.e., Windows 10) could introduce reliability problems. Expect quirks, lag, or even crashes with time, particularly as third-party software and services future-proof against newer platforms.
• Compatibility Limitations: Unsupported versions of Office or Microsoft 365 running on Windows 10 might face compatibility headaches, both with newer file types and with cloud services. Since Microsoft continuously evolves apps like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, mismatched versions may leave you unable to take full advantage of these integrations.

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Who Will Be Affected?​

The changes affect anyone using Microsoft products like:

• Microsoft 365 Subscription Services (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.).
• One-Time Purchase Editions of Office: Office Home & Student, Office Home & Business, and Office Professional Plus, specifically versions 2016, 2019, 2021, and the newly-released Office 2024.

Essentially, if you’re a Windows 10 user relying on Office for day-to-day operations, you’ll need to map out your options once your system joins the unsupported ranks.

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What Are the Options?​

The good news is that Microsoft has presented several pathways for dealing with this upcoming change. Let’s venture into them one by one:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11​

Microsoft is urging Windows 10 holdouts to upgrade to Windows 11, where Office and Microsoft 365 remain fully supported. However, before dusting off your existing rig to perform the upgrade, there are technical checks to make:

• Hardware Compatibility: Windows 11 has stricter minimum hardware requirements, particularly around TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0, Secure Boot, and supported processors. Many older Windows 10 devices won’t pass muster for a direct upgrade.
• Upgrade Cost: While upgrading to Windows 11 is free for existing licensed Windows 10 users whose devices are compatible, older hardware may necessitate a completely new PC purchase to run the OS efficiently.

If you're pressed for time (or cash), this complicates things.

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2. Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10​

For users unable to upgrade—as well as IT admins managing Windows 10 fleets—Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates. These are essentially lifelines for users who want to keep their devices patched while delaying their move away from Windows 10.

• Pricing: Individual licenses for ESUs will cost $30 per year, with organizations able to purchase multi-year extensions.
• Drawbacks: ESUs prolong the inevitable. Every year you delay upgrading increases costs and reduces compatibility with modern apps and workflows.

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3. Keep Using Microsoft 365 or Office on Unsupported Systems​

Staying the course with Windows 10 past October 2025 isn’t impossible, but this option comes with many risks:

• Security Concerns: Accessing Microsoft 365 cloud services like OneDrive or using email services like Outlook with outdated security defenses will put your data at risk.
• Feature Freeze: Your apps won’t receive new features and improvements, limiting usability over time.
• Increasing Bugs: It’s not a question of if bugs will crop up but when. Microsoft will no longer prioritize fixing these issues, making troubleshooting a nightmare.

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4. Move to Alternative Office Solutions​

If Windows 11 and extended Office updates seem too restrictive, switching to open-source or third-party office tools may be worth exploring. System-friendly platforms like LibreOffice offer robust word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations without financial or OS lock-in.
Ideal for lighter workloads, though, replacing Microsoft 365 in enterprise or professional setups is far trickier due to its unparalleled productivity integrations.

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Why All the Fuss About Security Requirements?​

Microsoft's argument for strict requirements with Windows 11 and Office revolves around modern security threats. Tools like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot help ward off sophisticated ransomware attacks by ensuring your system's integrity before boot. Combined with a supported OS, these improvements ensure more proactive protection against hackers.
Running Windows 10 without necessary updates post-2025 leaves systems highly exploitable. This risk alone often pushes businesses and security-conscious individuals to migrate before support dries up entirely.

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What Happens if You Upgrade an “Incompatible” PC?​

For the adventurous, running Windows 11 on uncertified hardware is technically possible—but not recommended by Microsoft. You’ll have to bypass system checks, and while the OS may install and work on your machine, future updates are not guaranteed. This can cause things to break unpredictably.
Proceed only if you’re comfortable navigating potential instability and lack of official Microsoft support when things go wrong.

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Final Thoughts​

October 2025 isn’t doomsday, but it’s clearly a critical point for Windows 10 and Microsoft Office users to reassess their tech game plan. While there’s no immediate reason to panic, proceeding with inertia is a risky approach. Falling into the trap of unsupported systems opens doors to security vulnerabilities, compatibility hiccups, and eventual productivity disruptions.
The playbook for migrating past Windows 10 and maintaining Office support is straightforward:

• Evaluate hardware compatibility for Windows 11 and upgrade where viable.
• Consider temporary measures, like Extended Security Updates, only if absolutely necessary.
• Explore cost-free and open-source alternatives—but only if your workflows don’t demand Microsoft’s extensive cloud ecosystem.

Now’s the time to future-proof your setup—it’s better to stay proactive than to rush into a solution after the clock runs out. Need step-by-step help upgrading to Windows 11 or determining if your PC makes the cut? Let’s get the discussion rolling here on WindowsForum.com!

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Source: ZDNET Microsoft Office support in Windows 10 ends in October too - what that really means