Microsoft has announced that support for Office apps on Windows 10 will officially end on October 14, 2025, coinciding with the operating system’s end of support.
After this date, users must upgrade to Windows 11 to continue receiving updates and support for Microsoft 365 Apps and standalone Office versions.
“Microsoft 365 Apps will no longer be supported after October 14, 2025, on Windows 10 devices. To use Microsoft 365 Applications on your device, you will need to upgrade to Windows 11,” the company confirmed earlier this week. This policy also applies to standalone Office products like Office 2024, Office 2021, Office 2019, and Office 2016.
Office Apps Will Continue Working but May Face Issues
While Office apps will still function on Windows 10 devices after October 2025, Microsoft warns users of potential performance and reliability problems. “After that date, if you’re running Microsoft 365 on a Windows 10 device, the applications will continue to function as before. However, we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time,” the company added in a support document.
Microsoft has consistently encouraged users to transition to Windows 11 since its launch in October 2021, even designating 2025 as “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.” However, the adoption of Windows 11 has been slow due to strict hardware requirements, including the need for TPM 2.0, which many older devices lack.
Windows 10 Dominates Market Share
Despite nearing the end of its lifecycle, Windows 10 remains the most widely used Windows operating system, with over 62% of global market share, compared to less than 35% for Windows 11, according to Statcounter Global data. The mandatory TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11, aimed at enhancing security, has led many users to delay upgrading or find workarounds to bypass the requirement.
Extended Security Updates Offer Temporary Relief
For users who wish to remain on Windows 10, Microsoft announced on October 31 that home users can extend support for an additional year by purchasing Extended Security Updates (ESU) for $30. Additionally, specialized releases such as Windows 10 2016 Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will continue receiving updates beyond October 2025 to support industrial and medical systems.
With the clock ticking on Windows 10 support, users and organizations are encouraged to plan their transition to Windows 11 to ensure uninterrupted support and enhanced security.
