It’s no secret that Microsoft is slowly closing down support for Windows 10, the decade-old operating system that will officially reach its end of life on October 14, 2025. Even though stats show it’s still the most used version of Windows globally, Windows 10 will stop receiving free software and security updates after that date.
Microsoft has said that your Windows 10 PC won’t cease to function, but in the world of modern applications and subscription services, there are a few things to be aware of. With support ending, you might be wondering if certain apps will continue to function, even though Microsoft may offer continued support if you opt to pay for it.
The tech firm has already said that Microsoft 365 apps “will no longer be supported” after the October deadline and pushed users to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft 365 is Microsoft’s paid subscription service that gives cloud access to staple apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
As spotted by Neowin, you can now add OneNote to the list of apps Microsoft will cease to support on Windows 10 in a few months’ time. OneNote is a note taking productivity app for individual and business use that can sync across different device types.
Microsoft updated its advice on OneNote on March 20, 2025, to say that “OneNote for Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025.
“To avoid disruptions, we strongly urge your organization to fully transition to OneNote on Windows (OneNote M365) and uninstall the legacy application as soon as possible. Migrating ensures continued access to the latest features, security updates, and a modernized experience.”
Microsoft also said that from June, “users of OneNote for Windows 10 will experience slower sync performance” and that those people from July would begin to see “in-app banners prompting them to switch to OneNote (M365), which could impact their workflows”.
Microsoft’s advice to update to the Microsoft 365 version of OneNote is at odds with its prior announcement that Windows 10 will no longer support 365 apps. It’s representative of how the messaging from the company has the potential to confuse Windows users, as it appears this advice also implies you should upgrade to Windows 11.
Windows 11 is available to all Windows 10 customers as a free software update. But Microsoft only recommends the upgrade if your PC meets certain minimum system requirements. That means some people don’t want to update their machines as they don’t meet the requirements, and have been left dismayed that Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10.
There is also the risk that some people could update to Windows 11 without realising their PC will struggle if they do so, rendering their once fine-running computer unusable.
Microsoft recently stepped up its efforts to alert Windows 10 users of the impending end of support for the operating system, sending out emails to some that encourage people to “trade in” their PCs and invest in new Windows 11 hardware.
