Microsoft is phasing out Microsoft 365 apps installed through the Windows Store in favor of Click-to-Run installation.According to an official Microsoft support document, Microsoft 365 installed through the Windows Store will stop receiving new feature updates in October 2025, while security updates will end in December 2026.
"If you are using the Windows Store installation type of Microsoft 365 Apps, you must upgrade to the Click-to-Run installation type to continue getting new features and security updates," Microsoft said.
Microsoft 365 apps can be installed on Windows PCs in two ways: through the Windows Store and using Click-to-Run.
Office applications in these two installation methods have the same look and feel, but their application architecture and deployment methods are quite different.
The Windows Store installation type uses Microsoft's Appx packaging format, while the Click-to-Run installation type is an .exe installer, which uses a virtualized application environment to isolate Office from other systems while allowing deep integration with Windows and other Microsoft 365 services.
Click-to-Run supports multiple update channels (such as monthly enterprise updates or semi-annual updates), telemetry control and centralized management through Microsoft 365 services.
Users can check their installation type by opening a Microsoft 365 application (such as Word), clicking "File" and selecting "Account."
For users with store installations, just download the Microsoft 365 Click-to-Run version to install. The installer will automatically detect and uninstall the Windows Store version of Office, and then reinstall it using Click-to-Run.