Effective October 14, 2025, Microsoft Office 2016 and Office 2019 have reached the end of support. This means Microsoft no longer provides updates (including security fixes or bug fixes) for these Office versions. Using Office 2016 or 2019 past this date can expose you to security risks and compatibility issues. It is strongly recommended to upgrade to a supported Office version or subscription as soon as possible.
- Microsoft will not release security patches or fixes for Office 2016/2019 after this date.
- Technical support has ended for these products.
- Continuing to use them may lead to security vulnerabilities and potential compliance problems.
- Upgrade options are available to ensure you stay secure and supported (see below).
What is Office 2016/2019?
Microsoft Office 2016 and Microsoft Office 2019 are productivity software suites. They include familiar applications (“apps”) such as Word (word processor), Excel (spreadsheet program), PowerPoint (presentation software), Outlook (email and calendar), and others. These suites were released in 2015 and 2018 respectively as one-time purchase products. Users bought a license once and could install Office on a PC or Mac.
Office 2016 and 2019 are part of the Office product line traditionally sold as perpetual licenses. A perpetual license means you pay once for the software version and can use it indefinitely on your device. Unlike the subscription-based Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), these versions do not receive new features over time – only security updates and fixes during their support period. Microsoft provided several years of support for each: Office 2016 and 2019 received five years of mainstream support and then extended support up to the October 14, 2025 deadline. Now that this date has passed, their support lifecycle is officially over.
Licensing
Office 2016 and 2019 were sold under a perpetual licensing model. This means customers obtained a permanent license for the specific version (for example, Office Standard 2016 or Office Professional Plus 2019).
Key points about the licensing and what to do next include:
- End of Support Impact: If you currently own Office 2016 or 2019 licenses, you may continue to use the software. The license itself does not expire. However, with support ended, you will no longer receive crucial security updates. Using unsupported software can put your system and data at risk. From a licensing perspective, you are entitled to use the software as long as you want, but it’s not advisable to stay on an unsupported version in production environments.
- Newer Version: To stay supported, consider upgrading to a newer Office version. Microsoft released Office 2024 as the next perpetual version after 2019. Office 2024 is supported until 2029 and requires purchasing a new license based on a one-time purchase model with no feature updates, only security patches during the support period.
- Microsoft 365: A better option is a Microsoft 365 subscription (for example, Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, previously called Office 365 ProPlus). Microsoft 365 is a subscription service where you pay per user, per month or year. In return, you always have the latest version of Office applications, with ongoing updates and cloud-connected features. This ensures your Office apps are continuously updated with new features and remain supported. For many organizations, switching to Microsoft 365 provides more long-term value and security. Licensing is based on users rather than devices, and you can install Office on multiple devices for each user.
- Compatibility and Licensing Considerations: Before upgrading, check the system requirements and compatibility. Newer Office versions might require updated operating systems. Also, consider your licensing agreement – if you have volume licenses with Software Assurance, you might be entitled to upgrade rights. If not, you will need to purchase new licenses or subscriptions.
- Plan the Transition: Migrations can take time. It’s wise to plan your upgrade early – whether that means scheduling deployment of Office 2024 across your PCs or rolling out Microsoft 365 to your users. Ensure that add-ins or macros used with Office 2016/2019 are tested with the new Office version or Microsoft 365 apps.
Expert Tip: Deciding between a perpetual license like Office 2024 and a Microsoft 365 subscription depends on your organization’s needs. Factors include budget, need for latest features, number of devices, and IT management preferences. Get professional advice on the optimal licensing strategy.
SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT offers expert licensing consultancy to help you navigate these choices. We advise on the best upgrade path tailored to your situation, whether that’s moving to Microsoft 365 or choosing a perpetual license for a newer Office suite. For personalized guidance and to ensure you get the most cost-effective and suitable licensing solution, contact the SCHNEIDER IT MANAGEMENT’s team directly.
More information
For more details, you can refer to the official Microsoft announcement about Office 2016 and 2019 reaching end of support. Read the original source here:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft_365blog/office-20162019-have-reached-end-of-support-%E2%80%93-heres-what-to-do-now/4461268
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