What Happens to Your Office Apps When Windows 10 Support Ends?

Will Microsoft 365 Stop Working on Windows 10 in 2026?

Microsoft made a big announcement that will affect millions of people. Starting in August 2026, Office apps will stop getting new features on Windows 10. This means no more cool updates or tools.

But here’s the good news. Your Office apps will still get security fixes until October 2028. So your computer stays safe from bad guys online.

What This Means for Different Users

Personal and Family Users

• Must upgrade to Windows 11 for new features after August 2026
• Security updates continue until October 2028
• Current features keep working as normal

Business Users

The timeline is a bit different for work computers:

• Monthly enterprise users: Feature cutoff on October 13, 2026
• Semi-annual enterprise users: Feature cutoff on January 12, 2027
• All business users still get security updates until October 2028

The Timeline You Need to Know

Here are the key dates to remember:

• October 14, 2025 – Windows 10 officially ends
• August 2026 – Microsoft 365 new features stop for most users
• October 2026 – Feature cutoff for monthly business users
• January 2027 – Feature cutoff for semi-annual business users
• October 2028 – All security updates end

Why Microsoft Made This Choice

Microsoft wants everyone to move to Windows 11. The company tried many ways to get people to upgrade. Windows 11 now has more users than Windows 10. But millions of computers still run the older system.

This move puts pressure on users. Want new Excel features? Need the latest Word tools? You must upgrade to Windows 11.

Your Options Moving Forward

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11

• Get all new features as they come out
• Full support from Microsoft
• Better security and performance

Option 2: Stay on Windows 10

• Keep using current Office features
• Get security updates until 2028
• Enable Windows Backup for one extra year of security updates (free)

Option 3: Consider Alternatives

• Switch to Linux if your computer can’t run Windows 11
• Look into other office software options
• Buy a new computer that supports Windows 11

The Hardware Problem

Many computers cannot run Windows 11. Microsoft set strict rules about what computers work with the new system. Your computer needs:

• A newer processor
• Special security chips
• More memory than older computers have

This creates a problem. People want new Office features but their computers cannot upgrade.

What Happens If You Do Nothing

If you keep using Windows 10 without upgrading:

• Your Office apps keep working
• You get security fixes until October 2028
• No new features or improvements
• Your computer stays safe but gets outdated

Making the Right Decision

Think about how you use your computer. Do you need the newest Office features? Can your computer handle Windows 11? How much do you rely on Microsoft 365 for work?

The choice depends on your needs. Some people work fine with older features. Others need the latest tools to do their jobs well.

Microsoft used this strategy before. Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users faced similar choices. The company stops supporting old systems to push people toward newer ones.

Planning Your Next Steps

Start planning now. Check if your computer can run Windows 11. Look at your budget for a new computer if needed. Consider what Office features matter most to you.

The deadline seems far away. But time moves fast. Making a plan now prevents last-minute stress later.

Remember, this affects how you work and what tools you can use. Choose the path that fits your needs and budget best.