Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Microsoft is due to cut off support for Windows 10 in October. That means no more security patches, bug fixes, or technical help for the OS (unless you pay for extended security updates or can make the free options work for you). But what does that entail for Microsoft 365? In a recent online support article, Microsoft revealed the status of its popular office suite once Windows 10 becomes persona non grata.
First off, Microsoft would rather all Microsoft 365 users currently running Windows 10 move to Windows 11 by the October 14 deadline. As usual, the company cautions that using an unsupported OS can trigger performance and reliability issues. Okay, we've heard that mantra before. So what happens if you stick with Windows 10 but still need to use Microsoft 365?
Also: How to upgrade an 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 - 2 free options
To ensure the Office suite is protected, Microsoft will continue to offer security updates for Microsoft 365 apps in Windows 10 for three more years until October 10, 2028. The security updates will be accessible through the usual methods. Individuals and families will be able to install them directly through the account screen in any of the Office apps. Businesses and enterprises will likely get them through a centralized IT-supported method.
OK, that's the good news. Now for the bad. One of the benefits of a subscription to Microsoft 365 is that new features are automatically made available in perpetuity. But that will change in Windows 10.
Individuals and families who subscribe to the current channel, meaning Microsoft 365 Personal and Family, will get feature updates in Windows 10 until August 2026. Organizations in the monthly enterprise channel with Microsoft 365 for business will receive the feature updates until October 13, 2026. And those in the semi-annual enterprise channel, which means Microsoft 365 for enterprises, will be able to grab feature updates until January 12, 2027.
Next, you'll still be able to open support cases with Microsoft as long as you have a valid Microsoft 365 subscription in Windows 10. But your options will be limited as of October 14, 2025.
If the Microsoft 365 problem you encounter exists in Windows 10 but not in Windows 11, Microsoft support will ask you to upgrade to Windows 11. If you can't or won't do that, then the support rep may offer troubleshooting help but not any actual fixes. Further, you won't be able to report bugs or request product updates through Microsoft.
In a nutshell, Microsoft is trying to buy you some time if you plan to continue to use Microsoft 365 in Windows 10. But sooner or later, you'll have to jump ship to Windows 11 if you expect to get new features and full support.
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