What Windows end of support means for Office and Microsoft 365
Applies To
Office 2024 Office 2021 Office 2019 Office 2016 Microsoft 365 admin Click2Run Microsoft 365 for WindowsImportant:
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Support for Windows 8 ended on January 12, 2016, and support for Windows 8.1 ended on January 10, 2023. Learn more
Microsoft 365 apps will no longer be supported on Windows 10 after it reaches end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft 365 apps are no longer supported on Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 now that these operating systems have reached their end of support dates. To avoid performance and reliability issues, we recommend that you move to Windows 11.
Select the Microsoft 365 or Other Office versions tab below to learn more about what you need to do for your version of Office.
Microsoft 365 and the Modern Lifecycle Policy
Microsoft 365 is governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy which requires customers to stay current as per the servicing and system requirements for the product or service, including using Microsoft 365 on a Windows operating system that is currently in support.
Using Microsoft 365 on older, unsupported operating systems may cause performance and reliability issues over time. As a valuable Microsoft 365 subscriber, we want to continue to provide a stable productivity experience. Therefore, if you're using Microsoft 365 on a computer running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, we strongly recommend you move to a supported Windows operating system. If you are using Microsoft 365 on a computer running Windows 10, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to Windows 11 before Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025.
Once you move to a supported Windows operating system all Microsoft 365 feature and security updates will resume as usual. At that point, you can run an Office update to make sure you have the latest version.
Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Microsoft 365
Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After that date, if you're running Microsoft 365 on a Windows 10 device, the applications will continue to function as before. However, we strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time.
Support for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 have all ended. Devices running these versions of Windows no longer receive security updates. Therefore, if you're using Microsoft 365 on a computer running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 and are configured for automatic updates, you'll no longer receive updates for the Office apps, including feature, security, and other quality updates.
In order to continue to receive Microsoft 365 product updates, we recommend upgrading Windows to a supported operating system.
If you're not ready to upgrade at this time, Office on the web is an available alternative.
Note: If your computer is managed by your work or school, consult with your IT Help Desk or IT admin about how to upgrade. Follow your organization's recommendations for how to transfer your files and apps.
Office Home & Business, Office Home & Student, and other versions of Office
Non-subscription versions of Office, such as Office Home & Student, Office Home & Business, or Office Professional Plus, will continue to be fully supported based on the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. However, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 no longer receive security updates, leaving them vulnerable to security threats. After support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025, it will become vulnerable to security threats as well.
If you're running Microsoft Office on a Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 PC, we recommend upgrading to a supported operating system.
The following table shows the supported versions of Office and Windows operating system.
|
Windows OS |
Office 2016 volume licensed version |
Office 2016 retail version |
Office 2019 |
Office LTSC 2021 and Office 2021 |
Office LTSC 2024 and Office 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Windows 7 |
Supported (with exceptions*) |
Not supported |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Windows 8 |
Supported (with exceptions*) |
Not supported |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Windows 8.1 |
Supported (with exceptions*) |
Not supported |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Windows 10 |
Supported |
Supported |
Supported |
Supported |
Supported |
|
Windows 11 |
Supported |
Supported |
Supported |
Supported |
Supported |
*These versions of Office will continue to be supported so long as they are within the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. The exception to this is if you’re running Office on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, and we determine your issue is caused or related to one of those out of support operating systems, and not an issue with Office. In this case, your problem won’t be supported.
Upgrade from Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7
To maintain the reliability and stability of Microsoft 365, we strongly recommend you take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities by moving to a new PC with Windows 11. PCs have changed substantially since Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and even Windows 10 were first released. Today’s computers are faster, more powerful, and sleeker—plus they come with Windows 11 already installed.
Most Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 devices will not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11. Compatible PCs can be upgraded to Windows 10 by purchasing and installing a full version of the software; however, please consider that Windows 10 will reach its end of support date on October 14, 2025 before investing in a Windows 10 upgrade.
For help with finding a new PC that fits your needs and budget, see Help me choose a PC.
If you've purchased a new Windows 11 PC, but need help with transferring your files, see Getting ready for the Windows 11 upgrade or Moving to a new Windows PC.
See also
End of support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1
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