Microsoft Office support in Windows 10 ends in October too – what that really means

Windows 10 isn’t the only Microsoft product that is due to lose support this coming October. In a blog post published Wednesday, the software giant said Microsoft 365 apps (aka Office) will no longer be supported in Windows 10 after Oct. 14, 2025. To continue using Microsoft 365 or Office, the company urges users to upgrade to Windows 11.

Support cutoff 

The support cutoff doesn’t mean that Microsoft 365 will suddenly stop working or vanish from your PC. Just as with Windows 10, you’ll be able to continue to use the software, but you may hit a couple of bumps in the road.

First, using Microsoft 365 on an older and unsupported OS such as Windows 10 may trigger performance and reliability issues over time, the company says in a support document. Microsoft doesn’t specify the specific issues you may encounter, but there’s a second area of concern. Since Windows 10 will no longer receive bug fixes, security patches and other updates after Oct. 14, Microsoft 365 and Office will be more vulnerable to bugs and security threats.

Also: Microsoft to force new Outlook app in Windows 10 with no way to block it

The warnings from Microsoft apply to the subscription version of Microsoft 365 and the one-time purchase non-subscription flavors of Office, such as Office Home & Student, Office Home & Business and Office Professional Plus. The specific versions of Office include Office 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024.

Microsoft has long been pushing Windows 10 users to jump ship to Windows 11. Naturally, Microsoft and its PC maker partners would like you to buy a brand new PC with the latest OS, but if you still have a usable and reliable computer, upgrading is a cheaper option, but it’s not that simple.

Extended security updates 

Windows 11 imposes stringent security requirements, including Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, Secure Boot and the right type of processor. That leaves many older PCs out of the running. Though there are ways to upgrade an unsupported computer, Microsoft has tried to steer you away running Windows 11 on such systems, warning that you may not receive updates and might run into compatibility issues.

Also: How to upgrade an ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

That then circles back to the option of buying a new PC outfitted with Windows 11. As a temporary measure, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 to both individual customers and organizations. Individually, you’d have to pay $30 for one year of updates, while organizations will be able to buy as many as three years of extended updates.

But all of that is just delaying the inevitable. Sooner or later, you’ll have to move to Windows 11 if you want to keep your PC secure and protected and reliably run the applications you need, including Office.