Microsoft retires companion apps in December
Reviewed by Helen Jones
Microsoft will retire the Windows Calendar, People and Files companion apps by 16 December 2026. The underlying Microsoft guidance says the apps may be removed earlier, their data remains in Microsoft 365 services, and managed-device admins need to stop deployments and remove existing installations.
For people who used the small Calendar, People or Files windows as a shortcut, the change removes an app rather than the information behind it. Meeting details, contacts and files remain available, but the team needs a clear replacement route through Outlook, Teams, Windows Search, File Explorer, SharePoint or OneDrive. The operational risk is avoidable confusion: some devices may lose the apps before the deadline, while unmanaged devices need the user to uninstall them. A short, specific notice prevents colleagues treating an expected app removal as a missing-file or missing-calendar incident.
Analysis
Check whether anyone still uses the companion apps, then add the replacement route they need to your team’s Microsoft 365 quick-start guidance. If devices are managed, ask IT when removal and the user notice will happen.
Source note
Pulse published by Collab365 Spaces, reviewed by Helen Jones on . Cite as "Microsoft retires Calendar People and Files companion apps in December", Collab365 Spaces.