Microsoft Cancels Three Companion Apps in Microsoft 365 Suite

Microsoft is planning to retire three Microsoft 365 companion apps by December 16, 2026. The apps in question are Calendar, People, and Files, which were designed to provide quick access to certain tasks and information from the Windows 11 taskbar.

The apps, which were released last year, were touted as a way to enhance productivity by providing direct access to calendar information, people, and files. However, Microsoft has since downgraded their description to simply being an additional way to find this information, which can also be accessed through other existing Microsoft 365 and Windows experiences.

Microsoft recommends replacing these apps with Outlook, Teams, Windows Search, File Explorer, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other tools.