In a significant shift in its privacy protection strategy, Microsoft has announced the retirement of its built-in VPN service from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. This change affects approximately 400 million subscribers and marks a turning point in how the tech giant approaches privacy features for its users.
The End of Microsoft Defender VPN
Microsoft has confirmed that the privacy protection feature within Microsoft Defender will reach end of support on February 28, 2024. This VPN service, which was gradually introduced throughout 2023 and 2024, was exclusively available to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers in select regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany. The service offered a generous 50GB monthly data allowance and included features such as unsafe Wi-Fi connection alerts and trusted network management.
Microsoft 365 VPN Key Features:
- Monthly data allowance: 50GB
- Coverage: US, UK, Canada, Germany
- Platform support: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
New Microsoft 365 Pricing: Personal Plan:
- Previous: USD $69.99/year or USD $6.99/month
- New: USD $99.99/year or USD $9.99/month
Family Plan:
- Previous: USD $99.99/year or USD $9.99/month
- New: USD $129.99/year or USD $12.99/month
Impact on Different Platform Users
The termination of the VPN service affects users differently depending on their platform. While Windows, iOS, and macOS users require no immediate action, Android users must manually remove the Microsoft Defender VPN profile from their devices. This can be accomplished through their device's VPN settings menu, where users should locate and remove the Microsoft Defender VPN profile.
Microsoft's Strategic Direction
Microsoft's decision appears to be driven by usage patterns and effectiveness evaluations. The company states it will redirect its investments toward new areas that will better align to customer needs, though specific details about these future initiatives remain undisclosed. Despite removing the VPN feature, Microsoft Defender will continue to provide other security services, including data and device protection, identity theft monitoring, and credit monitoring services for US users.
Pricing Context and Service Changes
This service removal comes amid broader changes to Microsoft 365's pricing structure. The company has recently implemented price increases while adding AI Copilot functionality to both Personal and Family plans. Current pricing has increased to USD $99.99 per year or USD $9.99 monthly for Personal subscriptions, and USD $129.99 annually or USD $12.99 monthly for Family plans. Users who wish to avoid these increases can opt for the classic plan without Copilot features before their next renewal.