As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Windows 10 users are facing significant transitions that warrant attention. Microsoft has announced that PCs running older versions of Windows 10 will soon find themselves unable to access Microsoft Teams, a platform integral to many businesses for video calls, file sharing, and messaging.
Impending Changes for Teams Users
According to a recent statement from Microsoft, the Teams desktop client operates under the Modern Lifecycle Policy, which necessitates that users run a supported operating system version. This policy aims to provide users with the latest updates, performance enhancements, security features, and overall service compatibility.
Starting next month, users on outdated OS versions will begin receiving in-app notifications urging them to upgrade to a supported version. If a device’s operating system is deemed too outdated, it will be rendered incompatible with Teams, effectively blocking access to the desktop client until an upgrade is performed.
The deadline for this transition is set for January 15, 2025. However, the impact is not limited to Windows 10 alone; users of older Windows 11 and MacOS versions will also lose access to Teams unless they upgrade to newer iterations of their operating systems.
For those concerned about whether their PCs will be affected, Microsoft has provided a way to check system requirements through their official channels. While the immediate deadline looms, the more distant end-of-support date for Windows 10 is scheduled for October 2025, at which point Microsoft will cease releasing updates for this operating system.
For users still operating on Windows 10, several options remain available. They can choose to upgrade to Windows 11 via a software update, invest in a new laptop pre-installed with Windows 11, or opt for Extended Security Updates (ESUs). Microsoft has indicated that these ESUs will be available until 2028, with an estimated cost of around £50 per year for businesses, though consumer pricing details are yet to be finalized.
