End of VPN Service in Microsoft 365 Microsoft has announced plans to remove its free VPN feature from the Microsoft 365 subscription later this month. The change will take effect after February 28, seemingly due to low consumer adoption.
“We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features,” Microsoft stated on its website. “As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer needs.”
What Will Remain? While the VPN feature is being discontinued, Microsoft will continue offering identity protection, theft prevention, and credit monitoring services as part of its Microsoft 365 suite. The removal of the VPN feature was first reported by FRONTPAGE.
A Microsoft representative has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The VPN Feature’s Purpose and Limitations The VPN tool, introduced in 2023 for Microsoft 365 customers, was designed to enhance online privacy by encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses when users connected to public Wi-Fi or untrusted networks. It could be turned on and off with a single click.
Usage was capped at 50GB per month per user, allowing secure and anonymous browsing within this limit.
Subscription Price Increase and AI Investments This decision follows Microsoft’s recent price increase for its 365 subscription plans. The company raised prices for personal and family plans by approximately $3 per month, marking the first major pricing adjustment in years. Alongside this increase, Microsoft introduced new AI features to enhance productivity.
While the removal of the free VPN may be disappointing to some users, Microsoft’s focus appears to be shifting toward AI-driven improvements and security tools that align with evolving customer needs.
