What it’s essential know
- The Microsoft 365 browser extension will likely be retired on January 15, 2024.
- On that date, the extension may also be faraway from the Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome internet shops.
- The extension has been downloaded no less than 10 million occasions throughout the 2 internet shops.
- Microsoft didn’t share why it would retire the favored extension.
As the saying goes, all good issues come to an finish. The Microsoft 365 extension will likely be retired on January 15, 2024. The extension supplies fast entry to Microsoft 365 apps and paperwork on the net, however it would cease being supported in simply over six weeks.
Microsoft didn’t clarify its reasoning for retiring the Microsoft 365 extension. Instead, the corporate simply shared particulars on when help would finish.
“The Microsoft 365 browser extension (previously named Office browser extension) is a free extension accessible on Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome that provides you entry to your Microsoft 365 apps and paperwork on the net. This extension will attain retirement and finish of help on January fifteenth, 2024,” defined Microsoft in a help doc.
“After this date, the extension will now not obtain safety updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, or technical help. The Microsoft 365 browser extension may also be faraway from Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome internet shops as an extension add-on.”
Why is the Microsoft 365 extension going away?
Since Microsoft didn’t present a reasoning for the Microsoft 365 extension’s retirement, we’re left to take a position. I believe there’s an opportunity that Microsoft desires to drive site visitors to different methods of accessing Microsoft 365. For instance, the Edge Sidebar already has a pinnable part for Microsoft 365.
There’s quite a lot of overlap between the Microsoft 365 browser extension and the Microsoft 365 part of the Edge Sidebar. They each present fast entry to Microsoft 365 apps and paperwork. Clicking on a doc in both of them opens that content material in a brand new tab. Of course, that does not assist individuals who use Google Chrome and Microsoft 365. For Chromebook customers, no less than, Microsoft is already working with Google on a extra seamless method to entry Microsoft 365, which customers can already check by integrating OneDrive with the Chrome OS Files app.
The Edge Sidebar now encompasses a distinguished Copilot icon and a shortcut to Copilot with Bing Chat (previously often known as simply Bing Chat). Microsoft desires to push folks to make use of Copilot, so directing customers to the Edge Sidebar is smart.
