[German]Microsoft has now announced deadlines from which the supply of security updates for Microsoft 365 apps under Windows 10 will end after October 14, 2025, but surprisingly even provides feature updates. There will be a staggered phase-out of these feature updates. The same also applies to Windows Server 2016/2019 if Microsoft 365 apps are running under Terminal Server. There are staggered dates for the rollout of Microsoft 365 version 2608 and thus for the release of the feature updates. Security updates will then be available until October 2025.
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End of support for Windows 10 and ESU
It is nothing new that Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 22H2 on October 14, 2025. There will then no longer be any regular security updates for this operating system. Microsoft recommends switching to Windows 11, but still offers an ESU program for private users with updates for another year. Companies even have the option of receiving security updates for three full years as part of the ESU program. And the LTSC versions of various Windows 10 builds will even receive security updates until 2031.
The exciting question now was what the support for Office applications distributed with Microsoft 365 would look like on Windows 10 with ESU support? In mid-May 2025, Microsoft announced that it would continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 for three years after October 14, 2025. Microsoft justified this with the need to maintain security during the transition to Windows 11. These updates are to be provided via the standard update channels. The updates are scheduled to end on October 10, 2028 (see also Support for Microsoft 365 extended for 3 years for Windows 10 ESU systems).
Microsoft 365 feature updates up to version 2608
Microsoft has now made a further specification as to how long it will continue to provide feature and security updates for Microsoft 365 apps under Windows 10. Surprise for me: There are not only security updates but also feature updates for quite a while.
The information can be found in the Microsoft support article Windows 10 end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps, which was last updated on June 25, 2025. It has now been noticed that more detailed information on the Microsoft 365 update offer was provided there.
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Devices running Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will receive feature updates until the release of version 2608. This version is scheduled to be released on the following dates:
- August 2026 for the Current Channel (including all versions for individuals and families)
- October 13, 2026 for the monthly Enterprise Channel
- January 12, 2027 for the semi-annual Enterprise Channel
After this date, there will be no more feature updates for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10. However, the installations will continue to work, but will remain on version 2608. To ensure the security of the apps on Windows 10, Microsoft will provide security updates for all Microsoft 365 installations until October 10, 2028.
In addition, Microsoft even allows customers with a valid Microsoft 365 subscription to open support cases after October 14, 2025. If the problem only occurs with Microsoft 365 Apps under Windows 10, Microsoft will recommend switching to Windows 11 and close the support case.
If the customer cannot switch to Windows 11, support will only provide troubleshooting assistance. Technical remedies may only be available to a limited extent or not at all, Microsoft clarifies.
Windows Server 2016/2019: Dates for MS 365 Updates
Because it was mentioned in comments on my German blog: Support for Microsoft 365 apps will expire for Windows Server 2016/2019 on October 14, 2025 (as with Windows 10). This would be a problem for operators of terminal servers running Microsoft 365 apps for users.
Microsoft has also announced extended support here. If Microsoft 365 apps run on Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 201 (e.g. on terminal servers), there will be feature updates up to version 2608 and three more years of security updates after October 14, 2025.
Windows Server 2016 reaches its end of support on January 12, 2027. If Microsoft 365 apps run under this server variant (e.g. on terminal servers), there will be feature updates up to version 2608. Microsoft has specified the following dates for the rollout of this version:
- February 2026 in the Current Channel
- April 14, 2026 in the Monthly Enterprise Channel
- July 14, 2026 in the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel
Support for Windows Server 2019 ends on January 9, 2029 and feature updates up to version 2608 for the Microsoft 365 apps will be available until the following dates:
- August 2026 in the Current Channel
- October 13, 2026 in the Monthly Enterprise Channel
- January 12, 2027 in the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel
Security updates are available for the Microsoft 365 apps in version 2608 until October 10, 2028. Everything can be read in the Microsoft support article Windows Server end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps.
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