We want to let our Skype for Business Server customers know that the Office Online Server (OOS) team has announced product retirement on December 31, 2026: Announcing the retirement for Office Online Server.
Office Online Server (formerly known as Office Web Apps Server) is an optional component that can be integrated with Skype for Business Server on-premises and it provides the ability to work with supported types of file attachments in various scenarios without having to download them, first.
What Skype for Business Customers Lose When Office Online Server Retires
Microsoft Office Online Server (OOS) has provided enhanced PowerPoint experiences in Skype for Business meetings. With its upcoming retirement, organizations relying on Skype for Business should understand what functionality will disappear, and why it matters.
Key Features Going Away
When OOS is removed from your environment, these capabilities will no longer be available:
- High-Fidelity PowerPoint Rendering
OOS processes PowerPoint files on dedicated servers, delivering animations, transitions, and embedded media with near-native quality. Without it, PowerPoint presentations may only be shared via screen sharing.
- Presenter Notes
Presenters currently have private access to notes during meetings, which will go away without OOS. Alternatives are separate devices or printed notes. If using screen sharing, notes would still be available for the presenter on a secondary screen.
- In-Meeting Annotations
Today, participants can highlight, draw, and stamp directly on slides without altering the original file. After OOS retirement, this interactive collaboration is no longer available.
- Embedded Video Playback
Videos embedded in PowerPoint slides play via OOS. Post-retirement, these videos will play back with lower fidelity in Skype for Business meetings when screen sharing.
Why This Matters
If your organization relies on presentations using the OOS-enabled features called out, above, the loss of OOS will impact meeting quality. Plan ahead by migrating to Microsoft Teams or adjusting workflows.
What Remains
Basic screen sharing will still work. Features like whiteboards, polls, and app sharing remain unaffected.
FAQ: Office Online Server (OOS) Retirement and Impact on Skype for Business
Q1: What is happening to Office Online Server?
Office Online Server is being retired and will no longer be supported by Microsoft. This affects organizations using Skype for Business for rich PowerPoint presentations.
Q2: What functionality will we lose in Skype for Business meetings?
Without OOS, these features will no longer be available:
- High-fidelity PowerPoint rendering (animations, transitions, embedded media)
- Presenter notes visible only to presenters
- In-meeting annotations (drawing, highlighting, stamping)
- Embedded video playback within PowerPoint slides
Q3: Will basic screen sharing still work?
Yes. You can still share your screen or application window, but it lacks the advanced capabilities OOS provided.
Q4: Are other Skype for Business features affected?
No. Features like whiteboards, polls, and app sharing remain unchanged.
Q5: Will OOS stop working after the retirement date?
No. Microsoft will not actively block usage of OOS with Skype for Business Server after its retirement. However, OOS will no longer be maintained with bug fixes and features, and no further security updates will be provided.
Q6: What should we do to prepare?
Consider:
- Migrating to Microsoft Teams, which offers modern meeting experiences.
- Adjusting workflows for presentations (e.g., using screen share or Teams Live Events).
The Skype for Business Team
Microsoft