Microsoft has officially announced the end of support dates for Office 2016 and Office 2019. If your business is still using either version, now is the time to understand what that means — and what steps you should take to avoid future issues. In this post, we’ll break down what “end of support” actually means, the potential risks of doing nothing, and your best options moving forward.
What Are the Key Dates?
- Office 2016: Support ends October 14, 2025
- Office 2019: Support ends October 14, 2025
That may seem like plenty of time — but planning your upgrade early is critical, especially for businesses with multiple devices or remote teams.
What Does “End of Support” Mean?
When Microsoft ends support for a product, it no longer receives:
- Security updates
- Bug fixes
- Technical support
- Compatibility improvements
The software will still work, but it becomes increasingly vulnerable and outdated over time.
Why This Matters for Your Business
- Security Risks
No more patches means any newly discovered vulnerabilities in Word, Excel, Outlook, or PowerPoint will remain open — creating potential entry points for cybercriminals. - Compliance Concerns
If your business is in a regulated industry (like healthcare, legal, or finance), running unsupported software could violate compliance standards like HIPAA, PCI, or GDPR. - Limited Compatibility
Office 2016/2019 won’t integrate well with newer Microsoft services or features — including Microsoft Teams and many Microsoft 365 capabilities. Over time, your software may stop working properly with cloud platforms and other third-party tools. - No Technical Support
When issues arise — and they will — you’ll be on your own. Microsoft will not assist with troubleshooting unsupported versions.
What Are My Options?
The recommended path for most users is to upgrade to Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service that gives you the latest versions of Office apps, cloud storage (OneDrive), Microsoft Teams, and ongoing updates — all for a predictable monthly or yearly fee.
🕒 Why You Should Act Now
The end-of-support deadline will be here before you know it — and businesses that wait until the last minute often face rushed decisions, lost productivity, and unnecessary downtime. Planning your upgrade now ensures a smooth transition without disruption.
Need Help Planning Your Upgrade?
We’re here to help assess your current setup and recommend the right upgrade path — whether it’s Microsoft 365, Office LTSC, or a hybrid approach.
Contact SandStorm IT today to get started and stay ahead of the curve.