Microsoft will no longer provide new features for Office applications installed via the app store from October 2025. Only “Click-to-Run” installations are accepted.
In October, Microsoft is taking drastic action in Windows. Not only will Windows 10 be affected, but your Office applications might also stop receiving updates. Microsoft announced in a brief statement that support for 365 will end in October if installed via the Microsoft Store. Security updates will continue until the end of 2026.
To check the installation, open any Microsoft app and click File and then Account. In the About Word box, you will find the installation type next to the version number. If it says Click-to-Run, you’re all set. If you installed Word and other Office apps via the Microsoft Store, you’ll need to reinstall.
Two Installations
There are two ways to install the 365 bundle. The first way is via the Microsoft Store, and the second way is the Click-to-Run installation via the Microsoft 365 website. In terms of interface and functionality, the installation makes no difference and if you don’t feel the need for new features; you can continue to use Microsoft 365 securely until December 2026 with installation via the web store.
Most business users will likely have installed Microsoft 365 via the only remaining “approved” Click and Run method. This installation does not use the Appx format but a .exe installer specifically developed for 365 apps. The app runs in a virtualized environment that is isolated from the rest of the system.
Users can “stream” applications while the installation is still underway, and updates occur in the background. For IT administrators, Click-to-Run offers more update channels, telemetry, and centralized management. Microsoft makes this switch especially for business users, but Click-to-Run further opens the doors of Office for integration with Copilot.
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Switch to Microsoft 365 Classic, without Copilot for Less
To ensure that you still receive security updates for Office after December 2026, you can easily switch to a Click-to-Run installation. Download the installation tool from the Microsoft website. The tool will automatically replace the Microsoft Store installation with the “correct” version.