Heads up! Microsoft is killing OneNote for Windows 10 soon

Microsoft has been ramping up its efforts to signal the end of Windows 10 support and get users switching over to Windows 11 sooner than later. Yet, while the official deadline isn’t until October 14, it seems users are already dealing with some nuisances leading up to that day.

A few days ago, the company announced via the Microsoft 365 Message Center that support for OneNote for Windows 10 will also be discontinued on the same day alongside Windows 10:

“As we continue to enhance OneNote with a unified and modern experience, we want to remind you 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.”

What does this mean for you? As explained on this support page, it means no immediate change, but OneNote for Windows 10 will stop receiving updates in the future. Furthermore, OneNote for Windows 10 is no longer searchable or installable in the Microsoft Store. (It’s been replaced by OneNote for Windows, which will be Microsoft’s primary OneNote focus going forward.)

Starting June 2025, you’ll start to experience “slower sync performance, impacting real-time collaboration and multi-device access.” And starting July 2025, you’ll start to see “see in-app banners prompting [you] to switch to OneNote (M365), which could impact [your] workflows.” Eventually, you’ll stop getting updates and bug fixes altogether, leading to potential performance issues and reduced functionality.

It’s important to note that only OneNote for Windows 10 is affected by end of support. The desktop version for Windows 11, which you get with Microsoft 365, will continue as usual going forward. You can keep using either app for now, but the Windows 10 version will grow increasingly problematic with time, especially without security updates.

Microsoft therefore recommends switching to the latest version of OneNote in Microsoft 365 as soon as you can. Or opt for the free web version, which doesn’t require a download. Or switch to alternatives such as SharePoint, Evernote, Google Keep, or Google Docs.