Windows 10: Microsoft reveals when Windows 10 customers won't get Microsoft 365 Apps updates anymore

With Windows 10 reaching its end of support later this year, it is only a matter of time before major software developers stop supporting the operating system. Some may stop support immediately, others after the extra year that users get when they join the extended security updates program.

It is only a matter of time before software developers stop supporting Windows 10. This does not mean that their apps won't run anymore on Windows 10 devices. But, it means that the developer won't release any more updates. Means, no security fixes, no bug fixes, and no new features.

Not every software developer will stop supporting Windows 10 shortly after end of support. Mozilla, for instance, has a good track record of providing support for operating systems that are not supported officially anymore. And some programs for Windows will still run on Windows XP or even older systems as of 2025.

Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10


Microsoft revealed when feature support and full support for Microsoft 365 Apps is coming to an end on Windows 10. Here is the overview:

• August 2026 for Current Channel (including all versions for individuals and families)
• October 13, 2026 for Monthly Enterprise Channel
• January 12, 2027 for Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel
• October 10, 2028: end of security updates for Microsoft 365 apps for Windows 10.

As you see, it is ending support for new features even before the extra year that extended security updates is buying Windows 10 customers. With Windows 10 support ending October 2025, home customers may get extended security updates until October 2026.

So, even if you pay for Windows 10 ESU or Microsoft 365, you won't get feature updates anymore for the Office applications that you install on your Windows 10 machine. Microsoft plans to release security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps until October 2028, however, which ensures that they get patches when security issues are detected.

In short: Microsoft is supporting Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 support runs out officially. New features will be introduced until August 2026 only, after which Microsoft will only release security updates for the Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10.

Lack of feature updates means that the Windows 10 versions of Microsoft 365 apps will not support new features or functional changes after August 2026.

The last version of Microsoft 365 for Windows 10 is Version 2608, which will be released in August 2026. The version will remain afterwards and not increment anymore.

Windows 10 users may consider switching to a different Office program or suite. LibreOffice is an open source alternative that is still compatible with Windows 7 and newer versions of Windows.

Now You: do you use Microsoft 365 and Windows 10? What is your plan going forward? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

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Microsoft Reveals Windows 10 Variants

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Microsoft Announces Windows 10 Operating System

Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday unveiled its next Windows operating system, Windows 10, and gave a first look at an early technical preview for the PC available Oct. 1. The announcement highlighted advancements designed for business, including an updated user experience and enhanced security and management capabilities. The company also introduced the Windows Insider Program, kicking off its largest-ever open collaborative development effort to change the way Windows is built and delivered to best meet the needs of customers. Program participants will receive the technical preview of Windows 10 and a steady stream of builds through the development cycle to use and give feedback on.

"Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of Windows, unlocking new experiences to give customers new ways to work, play and connect," said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Operating Systems group at Microsoft. "This will be our most comprehensive operating system and the best release Microsoft has ever done for our business customers, and we look forward to working together with our broader Windows community to bring Windows 10 to life in the months ahead."





Windows 10: familiarity and consistency across devices
Windows 10 adapts to the devices customers are using - from Xbox to PCs and phones to tablets and tiny gadgets - and what they're doing with a consistent, familiar and compatible experience, enabling even greater productivity. Windows 10 will run across the broadest range of devices ever from the Internet of Things to enterprise datacenters worldwide. Microsoft is also delivering a converged application platform for developers on all devices with a unified app store. Developers will be able to write an application once and deploy it easily across multiple device types, making discovery, purchase and updating easier than ever for customers.

Windows 10: designed for the challenges of modern business
Windows 10 builds nearly everything that businesses need right into the core of the product - including enterprise-grade security, identity and information protection features - in ways that can reduce complexities and provide better experiences than other solutions. One area of advancement is in the work Microsoft has done with user identities to improve resistance to breach, theft or phishing. Windows 10 will also help advance data loss prevention by using containers and data separation at the application and file level, enabling protection that follows the data as it goes from a tablet or PC to a USB drive, email or the cloud.

Management and deployment have been simplified to help lower costs, including in-place upgrades from Windows 7 or Windows 8 that are focused on making device wipe-and-reload scenarios obsolete. Businesses will also have the flexibility to choose how quickly they adopt the latest innovations and influence continued improvements. In addition, organizations will be able to customize an app store specific to their needs and environment. The intent is an app store that will allow for volume app licensing, flexible distribution, and the ability for organizations to reclaim or reuse licenses when necessary.

Technical preview PC productivity
The early technical preview of Windows 10 demonstrates new levels of flexibility, navigation and familiarity through the Windows experience. Features include these:

• Expanded Start menu. The familiar Start menu is back, providing quick one-click access to the functions and files that people use most, and it includes a new space to personalize with favorite apps, programs, people and websites.
• Apps that run in a window. Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format that desktop programs do. They can be resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top allowing users to maximize, minimize and close with a click.
• Snap enhancements. Working in multiple apps at once is easier and more intuitive with snap improvements. A new quadrant layout allows up to four apps to be snapped on the same screen. Windows will also show other apps and programs running for additional snapping, and it will even make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.
• New Task view button. The new Task view button on the task bar enables one view for all open apps and files, allowing for quick switching and one-touch access to any desktop created.
• Multiple desktops. Instead of too many apps and files overlapping on a single desktop, it's easy to create and switch between distinct desktops for different purposes and projects - whether for work or personal use.

Open and collaborative development
The introduction of the Windows Insider Program demonstrates Microsoft's continued commitment to working closely with customers to help shape the future of Windows. Windows Insiders will be able to give feedback on early builds of the product throughout the development cycle. The program will include various ways for Windows Insiders to engage in a two-way dialogue with Microsoft, including a Windows Feedback app for sharing suggestions and issues and a Windows Technical Preview Forum for interacting with Microsoft engineers and fellow Insiders. More information on the Windows Insider Program and the technical preview can be found here.

 

Microsoft Confirms Windows, Office 6-Month Update Cycle

Microsoft has been steadily increasing stability, features and, the company hopes, attractiveness of its latest Windows 10 operating system. Recently, its Creator's Update has brought, among other features, a performance-boosting Game Mode, a 3D version of the popular and (respectably ancient) Paint app, as well as increased privacy control, something users clamored for. Now, the Redmond company has confirmed that it's looking towards a six month update cycle for Windows 10 (thus aligning it with Office 365 ProPlus), looking to streamline and increase predictability of its support.

Microsoft released the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in August 2016, and the Creators Update made its public debut on April 11 2017, which is already close to the six-month update cycle the company is now confirming (seven months, in this case.) Now the company has confirmed that it plans to release its next step on the Windows 10 operating system on September 2017. From then on, updates should arrive in a steady cadence, on every subsequent March and September. Each Windows 10 feature release will be serviced and supported for 18 months, as is currently the case, and the company has also added that its System Center Configuration Manager will support this new aligned update model for Office 365 ProPlus and Windows 10, "making both easier to deploy and keep up to date."







Source: Blogs.Windows.com, Tom's Hardware