Misinformation continues to circulate about Microsoft's support policies for Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, causing unnecessary concern among users. Despite Windows 10 reaching its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, Microsoft has confirmed that Microsoft 365 applications will continue to function on Windows 10 devices well beyond this deadline, with security updates extending until October 10, 2028.
Key Dates for Windows 10 and Microsoft 365
- Windows 10 end of support: October 14, 2025
- Microsoft 365 security updates on Windows 10 continue until: October 10, 2028
- Extended support gap: Approximately 3 years
The Zombie Rumor That Won't Die
A persistent rumor has been circulating since January that Microsoft would force users to upgrade to Windows 11 to continue using Microsoft 365 apps after Windows 10's end-of-support date. This misinformation stemmed from an inaccurate blog post by a junior Microsoft employee that was quickly deleted. Despite Microsoft officially debunking this claim, certain tech news outlets continue to resurrect the story, causing confusion among Windows users.
Microsoft's Actual Support Policy
Microsoft's official documentation clearly states that Microsoft 365 apps will continue to function on Windows 10 devices after the October 2025 end-of-support deadline. While Microsoft strongly recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid potential performance and reliability issues over time, there is no hard cutoff that will prevent the software from working.
Extended Security Updates Through 2028
To further clarify its position, Microsoft recently published documentation confirming that security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will continue for three years beyond the end-of-support date. These updates will be delivered through standard channels until October 10, 2028, providing users with an extended transition period to upgrade their systems.
What Not Supported Actually Means
When Microsoft says Microsoft 365 won't be supported on Windows 10 after October 2025, this doesn't mean the applications will stop working. Rather, it indicates that Microsoft will no longer commit to testing new releases on the Windows 10 platform. For enterprise customers who open support cases, Microsoft has outlined specific limitations:
If an issue occurs only with Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 and not on Windows 11, support will recommend upgrading to Windows 11.
For customers unable to upgrade, Microsoft will provide troubleshooting assistance, but technical workarounds might be limited.
Support incidents for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 won't include options to log bugs or request product updates.
Support Limitations for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 after Oct 14, 2025
- Issues unique to Windows 10 will result in recommendation to upgrade to Windows 11
- Limited technical workarounds for customers unable to upgrade
- No bug logging or product update requests accepted
- Consumer editions (Personal/Family) will have similar limitations
Consumer Implications
For consumers using Personal and Family editions of Microsoft 365, the situation is similar. The applications will continue receiving security updates through 2028, but technical support options may be limited. Microsoft is clearly using this transition to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, but isn't forcing an immediate migration by disabling software functionality.
Planning Your Upgrade Path
With over a year remaining before Windows 10's end-of-support date and an additional three years of security updates for Microsoft 365 apps, users have ample time to plan their migration strategy. Organizations with hardware compatibility issues or specific deployment concerns can use this extended timeline to budget for and implement necessary upgrades without rushing into potentially disruptive changes.
Self-Hosted Alternatives
For users concerned about Microsoft's long-term support policies or looking to reduce dependency on cloud services, various self-hosted alternatives exist. Applications like Nextcloud with its office suite capabilities can provide Microsoft 365-like functionality on your own hardware, giving users more control over their productivity tools and data. These solutions may become increasingly attractive as support for older Windows versions gradually diminishes.