Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers will no longer have access to the built‐in VPN feature in Microsoft Defender after February 28, 2025. This decision comes as Microsoft repositions its service offerings based on user engagement and performance metrics.
“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,” states Microsoft on their support page.
Introduced in 2023 as a tool to encrypt internet traffic and obscure IP addresses, the VPN was hampered by a fixed local connection and a 50GB monthly cap, limiting its appeal for bypassing geo‐restrictions or heavy data use.
Effects on Windows, macOS, and iOS
While Windows, macOS, and iOS users require no further action, Android users must manually remove the residual VPN profile. The recommended method is to open the Settings app, search for “VPN,” and delete the profile labeled “Microsoft Defender.”
Detailed removal instructions are available on the official Microsoft support page, ensuring that Android devices remain properly configured.
For those who may be less familiar, a Virtual Private Network creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet to protect your data, although this version within Microsoft Defender was never built for high‐demand scenarios.
Microsoft has been overhauling its Microsoft 365 subscription model by adding an AI Copilot option to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans. The integration comes with a $3 per month price increase —the first adjustment in over 12 years.
The phase-out of the free VPN in Microsoft Defender reflects a broader strategic shift by Microsoft 365 toward AI-driven productivity and enhanced security. By discontinuing a feature with limited adoption and technical constraints, Microsoft appears to be refocusing its resources on services that deliver more value to its user base.
This move is part of an overall trend in enterprise software, where periodic feature reassessments lead to streamlined service portfolios.
