No one anticipated this shift in strategy. Microsoft, in its ongoing endeavor to encourage Windows 10 users to transition to Windows 11, has made a surprising adjustment to a key deadline that will undoubtedly catch the attention of the 700 million PC owners still on the older operating system.
Earlier this year, reports indicated that Microsoft was firm on its timeline for urging Windows 10 users to embrace the complimentary upgrade to Windows 11. While approximately 240 million users are unable to upgrade due to hardware limitations, a significant number of users have opted to remain on Windows 10, although this figure is gradually decreasing.
Change in Support Timeline
The recent pivot from Microsoft centers around the support for Microsoft 365 applications rather than the operating system itself. The company had previously announced that “Microsoft 365 Apps will no longer be supported after October 14, 2025, on Windows 10 devices.” This meant that users would need to upgrade to Windows 11 to continue utilizing these applications effectively.
However, a recent update on a Tech Community blog post regarding Windows 10 extended security updates (ESU) revealed a significant change. Microsoft has now confirmed that support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 will be extended for an additional three years, until 2028. This update was brought to light by Neowin, which noted the new information while exploring Microsoft’s support documentation.
According to the updated support document, Microsoft stated, “to help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support.” These updates will be distributed through standard update channels, concluding on October 10, 2028.
Microsoft has cautioned that using an unsupported operating system may lead to performance and reliability issues when running Microsoft 365 apps. Notably, if problems arise solely with Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10, support will encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11. However, if users are unable to make the switch, support will offer troubleshooting assistance, albeit with limited technical workarounds.
This extension appears to be a direct acknowledgment of the 240 million Windows 10 users who lack the necessary TPM 2.0 hardware to upgrade to Windows 11. The primary concern for these users has been security, a concern that Microsoft has now addressed for Microsoft 365 apps. Unlike the current plan for Windows 10 ESU, this extension for app support comes at no cost.
By extending the security updates for Microsoft 365 apps, Microsoft is effectively granting users a three-year reprieve to consider their options without the immediate pressure of purchasing new hardware. More importantly, this shift indicates that Microsoft is preparing for a prolonged coexistence with Windows 10 users who may not have access to ongoing support.
As the October 14 deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see if Microsoft makes additional concessions. Will there be a critical security update reprieve for users who are hesitant to pay for extended support? Could this be a strategic move to mitigate potential cybersecurity risks? Only time will tell.
