Microsoft is poised to implement a significant round of product retirements in October 2026, impacting a range of its widely used software and services. This strategic decision will see the end of support for key offerings such as Office LTSC 2021 and Windows Server 2022, alongside the discontinuation of the long-standing desktop publishing application, Publisher, and certain Entra ID risk policies.
For businesses and individual users, the cessation of support for Office LTSC 2021 means that after October 2026, this version of the productivity suite will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support. While the software may continue to function, the lack of ongoing patches could expose systems to increasing security vulnerabilities over time, making an upgrade to a newer, supported version or a shift to Microsoft 365 a critical consideration.
Similarly, Windows Server 2022, a foundational operating system for many enterprise data centres and cloud infrastructures, will also reach its end-of-life for support in October 2026. Organisations relying on this server platform will need to plan migrations to a newer server operating system or explore cloud-based alternatives to maintain system integrity, security, and compliance. This transition often requires substantial planning and resources, particularly for complex IT environments.
The retirement of Publisher as a standalone application marks the end of an era for a tool that has been a staple for creating various print and digital publications. While Microsoft has not explicitly stated a direct replacement, it encourages users to explore other applications within the Microsoft 365 suite, such as Word or PowerPoint, for design and layout needs. This shift reflects a broader trend towards integrated cloud-based solutions rather than standalone desktop applications.
Finally, the discontinuation of specific Entra ID risk policies in October 2026 will require IT administrators to review and update their identity and access management strategies. Entra ID, formerly Azure Active Directory, is crucial for managing user identities and access to resources. The removal of certain policies necessitates a proactive approach to ensure that security postures remain robust and aligned with evolving threats and compliance requirements.
This coordinated wave of product retirements underscores Microsoft's ongoing strategy to streamline its product portfolio and encourage users to adopt newer, often cloud-integrated, versions of its software. The October 2026 deadline provides organisations and individuals with a clear timeframe to assess their current IT infrastructure, plan necessary upgrades, and migrate to supported platforms to avoid potential security risks and service disruptions.