Starting October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer support Office apps on Windows 10, marking the end of an era for millions of users. That announcement comes as official launch of Windows 11 also marks the end of support for the operating system itself. The apps will technically still keep working, but Microsoft warns they will start to experience performance and reliability problems over time.
This change means that businesses and their consumers using Microsoft 365 apps have to start preparing for a transition. Whether it’s upgrading to Windows 11 or considering alternative solutions, the clock is ticking for those still using Office apps on Windows 10.
What Does This Mean for Office Apps?
After October 14 that doesn’t change; Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, will still be available for Windows 10 devices, but they won’t be updated or have technical support. In fact, in the very recent blog post, Microsoft wrote, “Running Microsoft 365 Applications on your device? You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11.”
So, while you won’t lose access to Office apps on Windows 10 overnight, the lack of updates could lead to issues like security vulnerabilities, bugs, and reduced performance. This could eventually make apps run unreliably, depending on the task they are for.
Why Is Microsoft Ending Support?
The decision to end support for Office apps on Windows 10 aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to phase out its older operating system. Windows 10, released in 2015, will also hit the end of life on 14 October 2025. Microsoft wants you to upgrade your PC, and it’s calling 2025 ‘the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.’
According to Microsoft’s executive vice president Yusuf Mehdi, who said recently that it is critical to upgrade, “One of the most important things people will seek to refresh in 2025 is not their refrigerator, TV or mobile phone.” Their Windows 10 PC will be, it’ll be.” This demonstrates Microsoft’s intent to urge Windows 11 adoption.
Challenges for Windows 10 Users
The transition to Windows 11 will not be smooth for all Windows 10 users. That Windows 11 is going to be a tough sell for the vast majority of people due to Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements, namely the requirement to have TPM 2.0. For users of these devices, continuing to use Office apps on Windows 10 without support may feel like the only option, despite the risks.
To meet these challenges, Microsoft is providing Extended Security Updates (ESU) to Windows 10. For the first time, consumers will be able to pay $30 for an additional year of updates, while businesses can get up to three years of extended support for $100. This gives users some time, but clearly Microsoft is impatient and sees Windows 11 as its future.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re still relying on Office apps on Windows 10, now is the time to start planning your next steps. Here’s what you can do to prepare:
Upgrade to Windows 11: Upgrading to Windows 11 will keep Microsoft 365 apps working, as long as your device meets the hardware requirements.
Consider a New PC: But for users with older hw, the best long term solution would be to invest in a new device fully supporting Windows 11.
Explore Alternatives: If you can’t upgrade, see if other productivity or cloud based software does.
While the end of support for Office apps on Windows 10 might feel inconvenient, it’s an opportunity to modernize your setup and take advantage of the latest features and security improvements.
