Microsoft is set to discontinue support for Windows 10 in the near future, with the final updates arriving this October. Having celebrated its tenth anniversary last month, Windows 10 isn’t alone in this phase-out; another beloved Microsoft product is also reaching its end of life soon.
The application in question is Microsoft Lens, which, interestingly, is a year older than Windows 10. Originally launched in March 2014 as “Office Lens”for Windows Phone, this versatile scanning app was subsequently introduced on Android and iOS platforms the following year. In 2021, the app was rebranded to Microsoft Lens and has consistently received high ratings, making it one of the top-rated free applications from Microsoft.
However, users of Microsoft Lens should prepare for its gradual retirement. Microsoft has announced that the mobile app will begin its phase-out process for both iOS and Android starting September 15, 2025, continuing through the year’s end.
As of December 15, 2025, users will be unable to create new scans. Nevertheless, existing files will remain accessible in the MyScans folder, but without ongoing support from the company.
Timeline for Microsoft Lens Retirement
- Mid-September 2025: The retirement process commences.
- Mid-October 2025: New installations of Microsoft Lens will be halted in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Mid-November 2025: Removal of Microsoft Lens from all app stores.
- Mid-December 2025: Users will lose the ability to create new scans within the application.
For those concerned about alternatives, Microsoft appears to be shifting focus towards its Copilot applications as successors. The company suggests that users take advantage of the scanning feature integrated into the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. This tool is designed to continually evolve, offering enhancements and new functionalities.
The Scan feature within the Microsoft 365 Copilot app now includes capabilities for scanning text in Word documents, tables in Excel, as well as additional formats. Furthermore, scans saved to OneDrive can be conveniently accessed through the MyCreations section in the Copilot application.
For administrators, any related information can be located within the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, specifically under message ID MC1131064.
Leave a Reply