Microsoft plans to discontinue the free VPN feature from its Microsoft 365 subscription on February 28, 2025. The VPN was first introduced in 2023 as a privacy measure, and then it was integrated into the Microsoft Defender app to encrypt internet traffic and hide IP addresses. However, Microsoft has decided to discontinue the feature, citing a routine evaluation of its usage and effectiveness.
"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 with customer needs," Microsoft stated in a support note.
While Microsoft 365 subscribers in the United States will continue to have access to identity theft and credit monitoring, they will need to seek alternative VPN solutions.
The decision is likely due to minimal adoption, as the Microsoft Defender VPN has significant limitations. It limited users to 50GB of monthly data and automatically connected to local servers, making it ineffective for bypassing geo-restrictions.
The removal of the VPN feature comes only weeks after Microsoft raised the membership costs for Microsoft 365 for the first time in a decade. The company added AI-powered Office capabilities, which increased the monthly fee by $3. However, users can opt for a classic plan that retains the previous pricing but excludes the AI enhancements.
The VPN profile will be removed automatically for Windows, iOS, and macOS users, but Android users are advised to delete it manually after February 28. Despite the VPN's discontinuation, Microsoft shares that other Defender features, such as data protection, identity theft monitoring, and security alerts, will remain available.
Android users can follow these steps to remove their Defender VPN profile:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device and click on VPN.
- Here, you should see a “Microsoft Defender” VPN profile in the list of VPN profiles.
- Tap on it using the info icon and remove it.