- Microsoft will stop offering new Office features and Microsoft 365 en Windows 10 starting August 2026.
- Security updates will continue to arrive until October 2028, but without functional improvements.
- The measure affects both individual and business users, with varying terms depending on the subscription type.
- To access the latest features and advanced functions, it will be mandatory to migrate to Windows 11.
The life cycle of Windows 10 is entering its final stretch And with it, the game changes for millions of users who rely on Microsoft 365 applications and the Office suite. Microsoft has confirmed that, while there will still be a period of security support, new features and improvements will soon stop reaching those who continue to use Windows 10. This decision leaves a huge base of computers up in the air that, for various reasons, don't meet the requirements to upgrade to Windows 11.
The announcement especially affects those who depend on tools like Become, Excel or Outlook in their daily lives. Starting on certain dates, these programs will stop developing in Windows 10, creating a functionality gap for users who have already upgraded to Microsoft's latest system.
Microsoft 365 and Office: Changes to Windows 10 Support
La key date for the brand: August 2026From then on, users of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family will no longer receive new features. in your Office applications if you use Windows 10. This means that any new features, improvements based on Artificial Intelligence or any design change that is incorporated later will only be available on devices running Windows 11.
For the enterprise segment, the schedule is slightly longer: those using the monthly enterprise version will be without any new features starting October 13, 2026, while the semi-annual channel will see new features discontinued on January 12, 2027. In all cases, Updates will be exclusively security-related and will not provide additional features.
Microsoft has made it clear that the latest compatible version of Office with Windows 10 will be 2608. If any bugs or errors exclusive to Office on Windows 10 arise after the deadline, the company could directly recommend migrating to Windows 11, limiting technical support and troubleshooting on the previous version.
What this measure means for Windows 10 users
Beyond security, the main consequence for users is the gradual loss of functionality in the most popular applications: from productivity improvements to new capabilities in IA, through changes in the interface or new collaborative tools.
On the other hand, though Security updates will continue to arrive until October 10, 2028Microsoft warns that performance issues or incompatibilities may arise that will not be resolved in Windows 10. Technical support will be increasingly limited, and in some cases, a mandatory upgrade to Windows 11 will be required to resolve certain issues.
The concern is notable among those who They cannot update their equipment due to issues of hardware or simply prefer to stay in a familiar environment. Up to 400 million units could be directly affected by this policy change.
Why is Microsoft making this decision?
Microsoft's strategy seeks to boost the adoption of Windows 11, arguing that New features in Office and Microsoft 365 require a more modern technological base. This decision hasn't surprised many, as major updates typically focus on the most recent system versions. For more information on the advantages of Windows 11 over Windows 10, you can check out Advantages of Windows 11 over Windows 10.
In addition, the company wants to encourage the development of its ecosystem by ensuring that the most advanced applications are only available in environments that meet certain security, compatibility, and performance criteria. For users, however, the decision may seem forced, especially if their computer is in perfect condition but not compatible with Windows 11. To troubleshoot update-related issues, you can check How to prevent Windows Update from automatically installing drivers.
Key dates for the end of support for Office on Windows 10
- August 2026: End of new features for individual users and the current business channel.
- October 13, 2026: End of news for the monthly business channel.
- January 12, 2027: Latest features for the semi-annual business channel.
- October 10, 2028: End of security updates.
Users who remain on Windows 10 will have a transition period in which they will continue to receive security patches, but will not be part of the evolution of Office and Microsoft 365, which may mean a disadvantage compared to more up-to-date environmentsIf you want to prepare your system for the update, we recommend that you consult How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Given this situation, many will have to consider whether to migrate to Windows 11 —or even to other OS like Linux—are keeping their equipment without updates or considering purchasing a new computer. The decision, in any case, will mark the future of the use of productivity and collaboration tools in the Microsoft ecosystem.
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