Four years ago, Microsoft rolled out Windows 11, and since then, the company’s been on a mission to nudge everyone off Windows 10. With the official end-of-life date for Windows 10 looming, many of us were bracing for the worst—no more updates, no more security patches, and a hard push to upgrade or buy new hardware.
But in a surprising move, Microsoft has decided to soften the blow. The software giant just announced that its Microsoft 365 apps—think Word, Excel, Outlook, and more—will continue to receive updates for three years after Windows 10’s end-of-life. Let’s dive into what this means, why it matters, and how you can make the most of this unexpected reprieve.
Microsoft’s Unexpected U-Turn
Earlier this year, Microsoft was adamant: once Windows 10 hits retirement, all the Microsoft 365 apps running on it would stop getting security fixes and new features. It was a bold strategy to accelerate the shift to Windows 11, or to push folks into buying a fresh PC if their current machine wasn’t compatible.
Fast forward to today, and Microsoft has quietly done a 180. According to updated documentation, the company will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after the OS itself goes out of support. The rationale? To “maintain security during the transition to Windows 11.” No one’s exactly sure what triggered the change—user feedback, enterprise pressure, or simply a marketing reset—but the win for customers is clear.
Extended Microsoft 365 Updates Until 2028
So, what’s on the menu? If you’ve got an active Microsoft 365 subscription, your Office suite—including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Teams—will still get security patches and feature improvements until October 2028. That’s a full three extra years of software care beyond the Windows 10 retirement date.
Independent apps like Office 2024 are a bit murkier. Official word suggests they’ll likely receive updates through October 2029, but Microsoft hasn’t spelled out every detail. Regardless, the extension gives businesses and home users breathing room to plan their Windows 11 upgrades rather than scrambling for last-minute solutions.
The Risks of an Unpatched OS
Don’t get too comfy, though. While your Office apps will stay patched, the underlying Windows 10 operating system itself won’t. Starting October (of the retirement year), Windows 10 will no longer get security fixes, leaving your PC vulnerable to new threats and exploits.
An unpatched OS can expose you to malware, zero-day attacks, and other risks that even a fully updated Office suite can’t guard against. It’s like having a fortress with fortified walls around the gate but leaving the back door wide open. You’ll benefit from safer Office documents, but the rest of your system could still be at risk.
Alternatives and Next Steps
If you’re not quite ready to hop on the Windows 11 train, this announcement is still great news—especially if your hardware can’t run the newer OS smoothly. You get more time to budget, shop for upgrades, or work with IT to plan a phased migration.
On the flip side, you could explore LibreOffice and other open-source productivity suites that will continue to support Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. That way, you’re not locked into a subscription model and you still get regular updates—plus, you might discover features you didn’t know you needed.
Tips for Transitioning to Windows 11
Even with this extension, make a game plan for Windows 11. First, check your hardware compatibility: use the PC Health Check app to see if you meet Microsoft’s requirements. If your machine comes up short, you can still run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but you’ll miss out on some security features.
Next, back up your data religiously. Whether you’re using OneDrive, an external drive, or a third-party cloud service, have multiple copies of your files. Finally, try Windows 11 in a virtual machine or dual-boot setup to get comfortable with the new interface and features—no commitment required. That way, when you’re ready to make the full switch, it’ll feel like a breeze.
