Microsoft is set to kill the free VPN service included with its Defender app on Windows 11, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. The reason? Lack of usage and effectiveness.As first reported by Windows Latest,

Subscribers still get device protection and ID theft and credit monitoring features, but Microsoft is ditching the VPN feature to focus on 'areas that will better align to customer needs.'

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of the VPN feature in its Microsoft Defender app, which was previously included for free for all Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers. The feature was first introduced in 2023 as a privacy protection measure and will be removed at the end of this month.

Microsoft is getting ready to remove the VPN feature from its Microsoft 365 subscription later this month. Originally designed as a privacy feature, the VPN in Microsoft 365 utilizes the Microsoft Defender app to encrypt internet traffic and hide IP addresses.

The recent price hike in Microsoft 365 is still justified by the addition of Copilot AI features, even though the VPN service is now discontinued. Customers will need to find dedicated VPN apps post-service discontinuation,