In an attempt to accelerate Windows 11 adoption, Microsoft has confirmed that new Microsoft 365 (Office) feature set updates will no longer be delivered to Windows 10 PCs as of August 2026. However, security updates will continue until October 2028.
What’s Changing—and When
The shutdown of Office features on Windows 10 will be done in phases, based on update channels:
- Current Channel (Personal & Family subscribers): The rollout of new Office features will stop with version 2608, which will start in August 2026.
- Month Enterprise Channel: Feature rollout will be stopped on 13 October 2026.
- Semi‑Annual Enterprise Channel: Freeze on features from 12 January 2027.
After the mentioned dates, all users of Windows 10 shall remain operating on Office version 2608 and will be receiving security patches alone with no other updates that add enhancements, new AI capabilities, or collaboration features.
Security Support to Continue Until 2028
Indeed, productivity features will now remain unchanged in Windows 10, but Microsoft has undertaken to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 apps until the 10th of October, 2028, later than originally slated, where supported Office would have ended alongside Windows 10 support through its lifecycle.
Even after the freeze on features, security updates will keep Office apps working on Windows 10, even if new features cannot be added to them.
Microsoft’s Strategy: Push Toward Windows 11
The freeze is part of Microsoft’s longer strategy to have Windows 11 accepted as the innovation platform. Windows 10 will be supported until October 14, 2025, after which product enhancements will cease in 2026 for both the Office consumers and enterprises. This action would further ramp up pressure on them to upgrade if they want to see more product enhancements.
In this respect, the company positions this as “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh,” which means the AI-powered features of Windows 11 and its tighter integration with the modern Office apps.
What This Means for You
| Users | Impact |
| Windows 10 + Microsoft 365 Personal/Family (Current Channel) | You’ll receive new Office features until August 2026, after which you’re locked to version 2608 with only security patches until 2028. |
| Enterprise using Monthly/Semi-Annual Channels | Expect feature support until October 13, 2026 (Monthly) or January 12, 2027 (Semi‑Annual), then only security updates. |
| Still using Office on Windows 10 after these dates | Your current Office apps will continue working, but you’ll miss out on new UI improvements, AI tools, and collaborative features. |
Practical Implications
- Stuck on Outdated Office: Windows 10 users won’t get the newest AI tools and interface improvements that were introduced in Office for Windows 11.
- Security vs Experience: Until 2028, you will remain secure but at the cost of working with a product that has been frozen and might lag behind feature-wise when compared to its Windows 11 counterpart.
- Hardware Limitations: Not every existing PC complies with Windows 11 hardware requirements, which include TPM 2.0 and somewhat new CPUs aspect which brings a bit more complexity to an update.
What Users Should Do Next
- Upgrade plan: Get in on Windows 11 upgrades while your support window lasts if the newfangled features and Office updates interest you.
- Consider Extended Security Updates (ESU): Microsoft will have ESU for Windows 10 for up to 3 years, although the consumer ESU support ends in 2026.
- Use Office for web: If you can’t upgrade, Office web apps, then it remains your viable choice to access feature updates regardless of your OS.
Conclusion
Microsoft halting the Office feature development for Windows 10 starting August 2026 is a conscious step toward modernizing its user base. While security support shall be kept until 2028, new feature development will be reserved for Windows 11 users. If you’re still using Windows 10, consider this a wake-up call—it’s time to start planning your next move, whether it’s upgrading to a newer version, switching to Office Web, or exploring alternative solutions.
