Microsoft is making a major move that will impact millions of Windows 10 desktop PC users. The company announced it will stop pushing new features to Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 devices starting later this year, fundamentally changing the experience for anyone running Office on an older operating system.

What is Changing

According to Microsoft’s official support documentation, Microsoft 365 Apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other tools will no longer receive feature updates once version 2608 is released, which is expected to arrive this month. After that point, Windows 10 users will only get security patches until October 10, 2028, when all updates stop completely.

This is a significant shift in how Microsoft supports its productivity suite. Currently, users on Windows 10 systems receive both feature and security updates regularly. The new policy essentially freezes Office functionality at a specific point in time for the older operating system.

OneDrive users should also take note. The OneDrive desktop app will continue receiving updates through October 10, 2028, but only if your system is running Windows 10 22H2. If you are running an older version of Windows 10, the OneDrive desktop app will stop updating much sooner.

Why This Matters for Desktop PC Shoppers

frustrated user computer desk problems
Photo by Resume Genius

If you own a desktop PC running Windows 10 and rely on Office for work or personal use, you need to plan ahead. You have roughly two years to upgrade your system or migrate to Windows 11 before your productivity software becomes stagnant.

This development has real implications for anyone considering a new desktop purchase. When shopping for a gaming or work-focused desktop PC, you will want to ensure it comes with Windows 11 pre-installed. Those looking for high performance gaming PCs should verify the operating system version to avoid hitting this limitation down the road.

Microsoft’s reasoning is clear: the company wants to push users toward Windows 11, which offers better security, performance, and compatibility with modern Office tools. Running Office on an unsupported operating system like Windows 10 can lead to performance and reliability problems, according to Microsoft’s own warnings.

Timeline and Support Details

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Photo by Daniel Leżuch

The timeline is important to understand. Version 2608 of Microsoft 365 Apps will be the last version to receive new features on Windows 10. Once your system updates to this version, you remain on it permanently for Windows 10 devices.

From the release of version 2608 through October 10, 2028, Windows 10 users will get security updates only. After October 10, 2028, even those security updates vanish. This gives you a window of about two years to make the transition.

If you are running Office on a 4K gaming PC or any other desktop system with Windows 10, mark October 2028 on your calendar as your hard deadline for upgrading your operating system.

What You Should Do Now

Microsoft’s recommendation is straightforward: upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible. This is especially important if you use Office daily for work, gaming productivity, or creative projects.

If you are in the market for a new desktop PC, prioritize Windows 11. Many modern systems already come with Windows 11 pre-installed. When comparing options, check the operating system version carefully. Whether you are looking for a workstation or the best gaming PCs for 4K, Windows 11 compatibility should be a key factor in your decision.

For existing Windows 10 users, this is a gentle but firm nudge from Microsoft. The company is essentially saying that while your system will continue to function, staying on Windows 10 will eventually leave you with outdated software that receives no improvements or updates whatsoever.

The bottom line: if Office is important to your workflow and you own a Windows 10 desktop PC, planning an upgrade within the next two years is wise. Whether that upgrade involves buying a new system or simply installing Windows 11 on your current machine, starting to think about it now will help you avoid disruption later.