Right here we go once more. A zombie information story that ought to have been laid to relaxation final January has risen from the grave and is strolling amongst us once more.
The unique story
In case you missed the unique story, here is a recap: Final January, dozens of tech-focused information websites reported that the free improve from Home windows 10 to Home windows 11 was “for a restricted time solely.” In a quote from the identical supply, they warned that Microsoft had decreed you would want to improve to Home windows 11 to proceed utilizing Microsoft 365 apps in your PC after the Oct. 14, 2025, end-of-support deadline for Home windows 10.
Additionally: Easy methods to improve your ‘incompatible’ Home windows 10 PC to Home windows 11 – 2 free choices
The issue with all these studies is that they had been based mostly on an article by a really junior Microsoft worker posted on an obscure weblog for Microsoft nonprofit prospects. It wasn’t an official announcement, and the submit was deleted that very same day. A Microsoft spokesperson informed ZDNET’s sister publication PCMag that the weblog submit “contained inaccurate info and a deceptive headline.”
Microsoft’s official help doc, “What Home windows finish of help means for Workplace and Microsoft 365,” had been revealed a month earlier and was a lot much less alarming. It begins: “Microsoft 365 apps will not be supported on Home windows 10 after it reaches finish of help on October 14, 2025.” That assertion is repeated in daring later within the doc:
Assist for Home windows 10 will finish on October 14, 2025. After that date, in the event you’re operating Microsoft 365 Apps on a Home windows 10 machine, the functions will proceed to perform as earlier than. Nevertheless, we strongly suggest upgrading to Home windows 11 to keep away from efficiency and reliability points over time.
Again within the information
So why did this zombie story begin showing in my information feeds at the moment? I blame Forbes.They’re those standing there, shovel in hand, shouting about “Microsoft’s shock deadline u-turn” whereas persevering with to cite from the wrong, long-since-deleted zombie weblog submit.
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At present’s fuss is predicated on a newly revealed web page at Microsoft’s product documentation web site, Microsoft Study: “Home windows 10 finish of help and Microsoft 365 Apps,” which incorporates this notice:
To assist preserve safety whilst you transition to Home windows 11, Microsoft will proceed offering safety updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Home windows 10 for 3 years after Home windows 10 reaches finish of help. These updates will probably be delivered by the usual replace channels, ending on October 10, 2028.
That should not be a shock. The three-year continuation in safety updates for Microsoft 365 matches the Home windows 10 Prolonged Safety Updates obtainable to Microsoft’s enterprise prospects. It might be a nightmare to rebuild the Microsoft 365 replace servers in order that they delivered updates solely to PCs operating Home windows 10 with an ESU subscription whereas blocking different Home windows 10 units. So everybody will get these updates.
What ‘will not be supported’ means
As I informed a colleague when the unique story got here out, “will not be supported” signifies that Microsoft will not be committing to check new releases on Home windows 10. “Provided that they’re permitting enterprise prospects to increase updates for 3 years,” I added, “they cannot simply break Microsoft 365.” Positive sufficient, that is what the expanded documentation says.
Additionally: ‘Finish of 10’ affords hope and assist to Home windows 10 customers who cannot improve
The article is focused at enterprise prospects, who will proceed to have the ability to open help instances with Microsoft. Nevertheless, the corporate warns of three limitations that may apply to incidents involving Microsoft 365 Apps operating on Home windows 10 after Oct. 14, 2025:
- If the difficulty happens solely with Microsoft 365 Apps on Home windows 10, with or with out Home windows 10 Prolonged Safety Updates, and would not happen on Home windows 11, help will ask the shopper to maneuver to Home windows 11.
- If the shopper is unable to maneuver to Home windows 11, help will present troubleshooting help solely; technical workarounds is perhaps restricted or unavailable.
- Assist incidents for Microsoft 365 Apps operating on Home windows 10, with or with out Prolonged Safety Updates, don’t embrace the choice to log a bug or request different product updates.
It is also value noting these choices aren’t obtainable for customers operating Private and Household editions of Microsoft 365. You will nonetheless get safety updates on Home windows 10, however do not anticipate to get a lot assist in the event you name help.
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