**Microsoft Offers Extended Windows 10 Security Updates Until 2028**
In a surprising about-face, Microsoft has announced that it will extend official support for users operating Office or Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 machines until 2028.
The tech giant quietly updated its support documentation to reflect this change, revealing that Microsoft 365 applications will continue to receive essential security patches and bug fixes on Windows 10 machines up until October 10, 2028.
**A Change of Heart from Microsoft**
Earlier this year, Microsoft had made headlines by announcing that Office apps running on Windows 10 would lose support once the operating system officially reached its end of life. However, the company’s latest revision indicates a shift in strategy, as they now pledge several additional years of support for Office tools and the Microsoft 365 suite on Windows 10 devices.
According to the updated article, this decision is aimed at aiding users during their transition to Windows 11:
“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. These updates will be delivered through the standard update channels, ending on October 10, 2028.”
**Windows Defender and Continued Security**
In addition to this extended support, Microsoft has also confirmed that Windows Defender’s malware definitions will continue to receive updates “at least” until October 2028. This offers some reassurance to users concerned about security as they begin to ponder an upgrade to Windows 11.
**A Clear Call to Upgrade**
Despite the extended support, Microsoft’s latest editorial remains a resounding *call to action* for users to make the leap to Windows 11. The message is clear: “Although apps such as Word will continue to work after Windows 10 reaches end of support, using an unsupported operating system can cause performance and reliability issues when running Microsoft 365 Apps. If your organization uses Microsoft 365 Apps on devices running Windows 10, those devices should move to Windows 11.”
It’s worth noting that Windows 11 has been on the market for almost four years, yet corporate IT departments have been slow to embrace the new operating system. This hesitation has been linked to several factors, including the necessity for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, which many older motherboards do not support, thereby prompting unwanted hardware upgrades. Additionally, not every corporate setting is keen on all the new AI-driven features, coupled with the consistent influx of bug reports.
**Understanding the Slow Transition Rate**
As of late 2024, the adoption rate for Windows 11 is hovering around 35%. This sluggish transition underscores Microsoft’s recent change of heart, which seems designed to avoid alienating a significant portion of its user base by pushing for an upgrade too soon.
In summary, Microsoft’s decision to extend Windows 10 support until 2028 is not just a tactical retreat; it reflects a deep understanding of the challenges faced by organizations today. As the company seeks to transition its customers smoothly to Windows 11, this move could very well strengthen loyalty among its users while ensuring security remains a priority.
