Microsoft is Removing the VPN Feature from Microsoft 365

Microsoft has announced it will remove the VPN feature from its Microsoft 365 subscription later this month. Originally introduced as a privacy tool, the VPN used the Microsoft Defender app to encrypt internet traffic and mask IP addresses. However, this feature will no longer be available as of February 28th.

In a support note spotted by Windows Central, Microsoft explained the decision:

“We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer needs.”

While Microsoft 365 subscribers in the US will still have access to identity theft and credit monitoring features, they’ll need to find alternative VPN solutions. It seems the low usage of the VPN feature, combined with its limitations, contributed to its removal. For instance, Microsoft’s VPN restricted users to a 50GB monthly data cap and automatically connected to local regions, making it unsuitable for bypassing geo-restrictions—one of the main reasons many people use VPNs.

The decision to eliminate the VPN comes shortly after Microsoft raised subscription prices for Microsoft 365, the first price increase in 12 years. Microsoft has added Office AI features to some plans, increasing costs by $3 per month. However, users can opt to downgrade to a classic plan that keeps the original pricing for Personal or Family subscriptions without the added AI tools.

If you relied on Microsoft’s VPN feature, now might be the time to start exploring other options.