The Microsoft 365 extension for web browsers will be removed January 15, 2024. After this date, the extension will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. For all this Microsoft recommends removing it nowalthough no reasons were given for the end of the support.

The Microsoft 365 extension allows users to create, view, and edit documents in web browsers. An extension icon in the browser bar shows options for launching productivity cloud suite apps and accessing the latest documents.

App links act as shortcuts to the Microsoft 365 website. When you select, for example, Word or Excel, the Office website loads the home page for those tools. The extension lists the three latest usage documents that can be opened with a single click. There’s also a link to browse all available apps or go to the Microsoft 365 settings website to view your subscription, cloud storage capacity, and more.

A basic extension, but suitable for subscriberswhich allows you to access Word, Excel or PowerPoint features directly in browsers without having to have Microsoft 365 installed, open local files or files hosted on the OneDrive cloud storage service.

The extension is available for Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome and has received about 10 million downloads so far. Since support ends in less than two months, Microsoft itself recommends removing it now, as follows:

How to remove the Microsoft 365 extension in Edge

• Select the browser extension icon in the browser’s address bar.
• In Settings, right-click and select Remove from Microsoft Edge, or go to the extension manager and uninstall the extension.
• Microsoft 365 apps will still be available in the Microsoft Edge sidebar for quick access, but the extension will be removed.

How to remove the Microsoft 365 extension in Chrome

• Select the extension icon next to the browser’s address bar.
• In Settings, right-click and select Remove from Chrome, or go to Manage Extensions and remove the extension.
• You can still access Microsoft 365 apps for free on the web at www.microsoft365.com and by bookmarking the page in Chrome for quick access, but the extension will be removed here.