Microsoft halts release of new Office features for Windows 10, mandating an upgrade to Windows 11 for access to recent functionalities
Microsoft has announced that new features for Office will no longer be available for users running the software on Windows 10 starting in August 2026. This decision affects both consumer and enterprise users, with the feature freeze applying to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers from the version 2608 release in August 2026.
For enterprise customers, the feature update stop dates are later: the Monthly Enterprise Channel will cease updates in October 2026, while the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will do so in January 2027. After these dates, Office on Windows 10 will only receive security updates and maintenance patches, but no new features.
The end of support for Windows 10 itself is scheduled for October 14, 2025. However, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 through October 10, 2028, to help maintain security during transition.
To continue receiving new Office features beyond August 2026, users must upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft will not deliver new Office features to Windows 10 users after the specified "feature freeze" dates, and support for feature requests or bug fixes exclusive to Windows 10 will be limited or unavailable.
As an alternative, users who cannot upgrade to Windows 11 may continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 until 2028 or use Office web apps, which will keep receiving updates independently of the Windows OS version.
The following is a summary of the key dates and events:
| Timeline/Event | Date | Notes | |----------------------------------------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Windows 10 end of support | October 14, 2025 | No more official OS support | | Last new Office features for consumers | August 2026 | Version 2608 release freeze | | Last new Office features for enterprise monthly channel | October 2026 | Feature updates stop | | Last new Office features for enterprise semi-annual channel | January 2027 | Feature updates stop | | Security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 end | October 10, 2028 | Security updates continue post-feature freeze |
It's important to note that the apps in Office will continue to work as normal despite the cessation of new feature updates. However, continuing to use Microsoft Office beyond August 2026 on Windows 10 will result in a subscription that is essentially in maintenance mode.
As of now, Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 as the most used version of Windows, with a market share of 52%, while Windows 10 has 44%. Microsoft is offering an additional year of free security updates for Windows 10 users who backup their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, or users can pay $30 per device for the same service.
Extended security updates only cover security patches, not bug fixes or new features. The extended security update window for individuals and consumers on Windows 10 ends in October 2026, leaving them without up-to-date security patches. Enterprises can continue to pay Microsoft for support on Windows 10 until October 2028. Support, including technical support, app developer support, and driver maker support, is not included in the extended security updates.
Microsoft will provide troubleshooting assistance if issues occur with Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10, but might be limited or unavailable. New feature updates in Office for Windows 10 will end in August 2026.
- Microsoft has announced that new features for Office will no longer be available for users running the software on Windows 10 starting in August 2026.
- This decision affects both consumer and enterprise users, with the feature freeze applying to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers from the version 2608 release in August 2026.
- After the feature freeze dates, Office on Windows 10 will only receive security updates and maintenance patches, but no new features.
- To continue receiving new Office features beyond August 2026, users must upgrade to Windows 11.
- As an alternative, users who cannot upgrade to Windows 11 may continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 until 2028 or use Office web apps, which will keep receiving updates independently of the Windows OS version.
- Microsoft will provide troubleshooting assistance if issues occur with Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10, but might be limited or unavailable.
- Microsoft is offering an additional year of free security updates for Windows 10 users who backup their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, or users can pay $30 per device for the same service.
- Enterprises can continue to pay Microsoft for support on Windows 10 until October 2028, but support, including technical support, app developer support, and driver maker support, is not included in the extended security updates.
