Imagine you’re cozied up at your desk, sipping coffee, and firing up Microsoft Word on your trusty Windows 10 PC. You’ve been dreading the news that your Office apps might stop working after October 14, 2025, when Windows 10 officially hits its “end of support” date. Well, hold off on that panic. In a plot twist that feels like Microsoft heard your silent prayers, the tech giant has decided to keep the security updates flowing for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028. That’s three extra years of life for your Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations.

Back in January, Microsoft dropped a bombshell that left many Windows 10 users clutching their keyboards. In a blog post aimed at businesses, the company announced that Microsoft 365 apps—like Word, Excel, Outlook, and the rest of the Office suite—would no longer be supported on Windows 10 after the operating system’s end-of-support date in October 2025. The message was clear: if you wanted to keep using your Office apps, you’d need to upgrade to Windows 11. No ifs, ands, or buts.

For the millions of people still running Windows 10, this was a gut punch. Windows 10, released in 2015, remains a fan favorite for its stability, familiarity, and lack of the sometimes clunky changes introduced in Windows 11. According to StatCounter, as of April 2025, Windows 10 still powers around 62% of Windows PCs globally, while Windows 11 lags behind at about 43%. That’s a massive user base being told to either upgrade their OS, buy a new PC, or kiss their Office apps goodbye.

Microsoft’s reasoning made sense on paper. Windows 10’s end of support means no more security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to hackers and malware. For Microsoft 365, a cloud-connected suite that handles sensitive data, running on an unsupported OS is a security nightmare. Plus, Microsoft has been pushing hard to get everyone onto Windows 11, touting its sleek design, AI-powered features like Copilot, and better performance for modern apps.

But the reality? Not everyone’s ready—or willing—to make the leap.

Fast forward to late April, and Microsoft quietly slipped a new support article into the ether, aimed at IT admins. Tucked inside was a game-changer: Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 would keep getting security updates for three years after the October 2025 cutoff, until October 10, 2028. Last week, Microsoft doubled down with an updated support article, confirming the news for everyone. “To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support,” the article reads. These updates will come through the usual channels, ensuring your Office apps stay secure and functional.

What does this mean for you? If you’re a Windows 10 user, your Microsoft 365 apps will “continue to function as before,” according to Microsoft. You can keep editing documents, crunching numbers, and sending emails without worrying about security patches drying up. That said, Microsoft’s still waving a caution flag, warning businesses that sticking with Windows 10 long-term could lead to “performance and reliability issues.” Translation: they’re giving you a grace period, but they really, really want you on Windows 11.

This reversal is a big deal, especially after Microsoft’s earlier hardline stance. It’s also a rare win for users who’ve been bombarded with full-screen prompts over the past year, nudging them to upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new PC. Now, Microsoft is softening its approach, at least for Office apps.

Microsoft hasn’t explicitly said why it backtracked, but the tea leaves aren’t hard to read. For one, Windows 11 adoption has been sluggish. Despite Microsoft’s best efforts, many users and businesses are sticking with Windows 10. Some can’t upgrade because their PCs don’t meet Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements, like TPM 2.0 and newer CPUs. Others just don’t see the point—Windows 10 works fine, and Windows 11’s changes, like the redesigned Start menu and taskbar, have gotten mixed reviews.

Forcing all those users to abandon Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 risked alienating a huge chunk of Microsoft’s customer base. Office is a cash cow—Microsoft 365 has over 400 million paid seats worldwide, according to the company’s 2024 earnings reports. If even a fraction of Windows 10 users ditched their subscriptions because their apps stopped working, it could dent Microsoft’s bottom line. Extending support keeps those users in the fold while giving them time to plan their upgrades.

There’s also the PR angle. Microsoft’s been under fire for its heavy-handed tactics, like those full-screen upgrade prompts and warnings about unsupported systems. By offering this three-year lifeline, Microsoft gets to look like the good guy, listening to customer feedback and offering flexibility.

While Office apps are getting a reprieve, the rest of Windows 10 isn’t so lucky. After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing free security updates for the operating system itself. That means no more patches for bugs, vulnerabilities, or compatibility issues outside of Microsoft 365 apps. For consumers, this is a big deal—running an unpatched OS is like leaving your front door unlocked in a sketchy neighborhood.

Microsoft’s offering a workaround: Extended Security Updates (ESUs). For the first time, consumers can buy an extra year of Windows 10 security updates for $30, while businesses can purchase up to three years. Pricing for businesses hasn’t been fully disclosed, but Microsoft’s support pages suggest it’ll be tiered based on the number of devices. ESUs will keep your system secure, but they’re not cheap, and they don’t include new features or non-security fixes.

This setup creates a weird split: your Office apps will stay secure until 2028, but your underlying OS could be vulnerable unless you pony up for ESUs or upgrade to Windows 11. It’s a half-measure that might leave some users confused about their next steps.

Microsoft’s decision shines a spotlight on a broader issue: the tech industry’s push for constant upgrades doesn’t always align with what users want or need. Windows 11’s slow adoption isn’t just about hardware requirements or user resistance. It’s also about trust. After a decade of Windows 10’s reliability, many users feel burned by Microsoft’s aggressive nudging and the perception that Windows 11 is more about Microsoft’s priorities—like AI integration and new hardware sales—than tangible user benefits.

Businesses, in particular, face a tough choice. Upgrading to Windows 11 often means buying new PCs, retraining staff, and ensuring compatibility with legacy software. For small businesses and individuals, those costs can be prohibitive, especially in a post-pandemic economy where budgets are tight.

Microsoft’s extension for Office apps buys time, but it’s not a full solution. It’s a pragmatic move, acknowledging that the transition to Windows 11 won’t happen overnight. It also hints at Microsoft’s confidence in Microsoft 365’s cloud-based model, which can deliver updates independently of the OS—to a point.

If you’re a Windows 10 user, here’s the game plan. First, breathe a sigh of relief—your Office apps are safe until 2028. You don’t need to rush out and buy a new PC or upgrade to Windows 11 just to keep using Word or Excel. But don’t get too comfy. Microsoft’s clear that Windows 10 is on borrowed time, and those “performance and reliability issues” they’re warning about could become a reality as apps evolve and Windows 10 falls further behind.

Start planning your next move. If your PC supports Windows 11, consider upgrading before 2028. It’s free, and while the learning curve can be annoying, Windows 11 does offer better security and support for new tech. If your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, weigh the cost of a new device against the $30 ESU for a year of Windows 10 updates. For businesses, IT admins should check Microsoft’s support pages for detailed guidance on ESUs and Microsoft 365 compatibility.

Finally, keep an eye on Microsoft’s messaging. If Windows 11 adoption doesn’t pick up, Microsoft might extend support even further—or roll out new incentives to make the switch less painful.

Microsoft’s decision to keep Office apps humming on Windows 10 until 2028 is a welcome olive branch to millions of users who aren’t ready to let go of their trusty OS. It’s a rare moment of flexibility from a company that’s been playing hardball with upgrades. But it’s also a reminder that the clock’s ticking. Windows 10’s days are numbered, and Microsoft’s betting on a future where everyone’s running Windows 11, AI assistants, and shiny new PCs.

For now, though, you can keep typing away in Word without a care. Just don’t be surprised if Microsoft pops up with another “Upgrade to Windows 11!” prompt while you’re at it.