Microsoft Ends Office Support on Windows 10 in October 2025: What You Need to Know

Microsoft has officially announced that support for Microsoft 365 apps, previously known as Microsoft Office apps, on Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. This key date coincides with the scheduled end of support for the Windows 10 operating system itself, marking a significant milestone in Microsoft's long-term strategy to migrate users toward Windows 11. Below is a detailed overview of what this change means, why it is happening, and the implications for users and businesses still on Windows 10.

Context and Background

Windows 10, released in 2015, has become one of the most widely used operating systems worldwide. However, Microsoft has been gradually shifting its focus and development efforts to Windows 11, which launched in October 2021. Windows 11 brings with it advanced security features, a revamped user interface, and enhanced support for modern hardware.

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially retire Windows 10 by ending all updates, including security patches. In tandem with this, Microsoft will cease support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 devices, covering core applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams. This sunset includes standalone editions like Office 2016, Office 2019, Office 2021, and the soon-to-be-launched Office 2024.

What Does “End of Support” Mean?

Termination of support does not mean that Microsoft 365 apps will immediately stop working on Windows 10 after October 2025. Instead:

  • No more updates or patches: There will be no new features, bug fixes, or security patches provided for Office apps on Windows 10.
  • Security risks: Vulnerabilities discovered after this date will remain unpatched, increasing the risk of cybersecurity threats.
  • Compatibility issues: Future cloud integration features, AI enhancements, or file format updates may not work as intended or at all.
  • Performance degradation: Over time, without maintenance, users might experience reliability or performance issues.

Essentially, users will be running Office apps on an unsupported platform, similar to maintaining an outdated vehicle: it may still function but without guarantees for safety or reliability.

Why Is Microsoft Ending Support Now?

The close alignment between Windows 10's end of support and Microsoft 365's app support lifecycle is strategic:

  1. Encouraging Windows 11 Adoption: Windows 11 features modernized security underpinned by hardware-backed measures like the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and virtualization-based security. Microsoft aims to consolidate its user base on Windows 11 to simplify development and enhance security.
  2. Hardware Requirements Push: Windows 11 has stringent hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and newer CPUs, which exclude many older PCs. By ending Office support on Windows 10, Microsoft nudges users to upgrade both software and hardware, accelerating the PC refresh cycle branded as the “year of the Windows 11 PC refresh” in 2025.
  3. Streamlined Development and Innovation: Maintaining backward compatibility slows innovation. Microsoft 365 apps are evolving rapidly with AI, cloud-native features, and collaboration enhancements that leverage newer system architectures that Windows 11 supports better.

Microsoft’s executives, including Chief Marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi, have underscored that Microsoft envisions regular PC upgrades similar to smartphone replacement cycles to ensure optimal security and user experience.

Impact and Implications

For Windows 10 Users

  • Continued use with risks: Users can still use Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 after October 2025, but without any updates or support, exposing them to security vulnerabilities.
  • Performance and compatibility: Over time, apps may become buggy or incompatible with evolving cloud services, leading to diminished productivity.
  • No technical support: Microsoft will not provide customer support for issues encountered in Office apps on Windows 10 post-support.

For Businesses

  • Compliance risks: Enterprises relying on Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 will face increasing compliance and security challenges, driving a need to either upgrade or invest in Extended Security Updates (ESU).
  • ESU option: Microsoft plans to provide Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 and Office apps for those unable to upgrade immediately, typically at an additional cost, offering a temporary reprieve.

Upgrade Choices

  1. Upgrade to Windows 11: If your PC meets the hardware requirements, the free upgrade ensures continued Office app support, security patches, and new feature access.
  2. Invest in new hardware: Systems built from 2022 onward are recommended to fully leverage Windows 11 and future Microsoft 365 updates.
  3. Stay on Windows 10 with risks: Users can continue using Office apps unsupported but acknowledge heightened security and stability risks.
  4. Explore alternatives: Free or web-based productivity suites like LibreOffice or Google Docs may serve as temporary or permanent Office substitutes.
  5. Purchase Extended Security Updates: A viable option for enterprises requiring more transition time.

Technical Details: TPM 2.0 and Windows 11 Requirements

Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, a hardware security module enhancing device integrity and protection against firmware attacks. Older Windows 10 PCs often lack TPM 2.0, resulting in incompatibility. While workarounds to bypass TPM requirements exist, Microsoft discourages them due to potential instability and unsupported scenarios.

This hardware barrier is a significant reason for slow Windows 11 adoption, with over 60% of PCs still running Windows 10 globally, according to industry data.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Future

October 14, 2025, is a watershed date marking the end of Microsoft 365 app support on Windows 10, echoing the operating system's own end-of-life. For consumers and enterprises alike, this is a clear signal to strategize an upgrade path that aligns with Microsoft's future ecosystem centered on Windows 11.

Upgrading ensures continued security, compatibility with evolving cloud services, and access to cutting-edge productivity tools. While change can be inconvenient, proactive planning now will prevent rushed transitions later and help safeguard data and productivity.

Microsoft’s unified focus on Windows 11 and refreshed hardware signals the beginning of a new era for its productivity software and user experiences. How users respond—whether by upgrading, investing in new devices, or opting for alternatives—will shape their digital workflows for years to come.