Microsoft will stop offering new Office features to these Windows users starting August 2026
has quietly announced it will stop delivering new features to
Office apps for Windows
10 users starting in August 2026, marking another significant step in the company's push to migrate users to Windows 11. While security updates will continue until October 2028, the feature freeze effectively forces users seeking the latest
Office
capabilities to upgrade their operating system.
The timeline varies by subscription type:
Microsoft 365
Personal and Family users will lose access to new features with version 2608 in August 2026, while enterprise customers face cutoffs between October 2026 and January 2027 depending on their update channel. All versions will remain frozen at the 2608 feature set regardless of subscription tier.
Security updates continue but feature development stops
Microsoft's decision represents a significant shift from its previous commitments. The company had originally planned to end
Office support
alongside Windows 10's October 2025 end-of-life date but reversed course earlier this year following user backlash. However, as The Verge first reported, the company failed to initially disclose that new features would be restricted starting in 2026.
The change means
Windows 10
users experiencing Office issues unique to their platform will receive limited support. Microsoft's official guidance directs such users to upgrade to Windows 11, with support staff providing only "troubleshooting assistance" and warning that "technical workarounds might be limited or unavailable."
Windows 11 upgrade becomes essential for latest Office tools
This move aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy to accelerate Windows 11 adoption. Despite Windows 11 recently overtaking Windows 10 as the most-used desktop OS, millions of devices still run the older system. The company has offered various incentives for upgrading, including free extended security updates for Windows 10 users who enable
Windows Backup
or pay $30 per device.
For users unwilling or unable to upgrade,
Office web apps
will remain an alternative for accessing new features. However, the desktop experience will remain static after August 2026, creating a two-tiered system where modern Office capabilities require Windows 11.
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