Microsoft has officially announced Office 2016 and Office 2019 end of support, as of October 14, 2025. After this date, there will be no extensions and no extended security updates.
While your Office 2016 and Office 2019 apps will continue to work, using them after the end of support could expose your organisation or home devices to serious security risks.
What does “End of Support” mean?
Once Office 2016 and Office 2019 reach end of support:
- You will no longer receive technical support, bug fixes, or security updates from Microsoft.
- No more security patches means your devices could be vulnerable to new viruses, malware, or spyware.
- You won’t receive updates through Microsoft Update.
- Phone or chat technical support for these versions will stop.
- Most online help content for these versions will be retired and no longer updated.
Why does end of support matter?
What are the risks after support ends?
Security risk is the heightened possibility that unpatched software could be exploited by malware, ransomware, or other cyber threats because known vulnerabilities are no longer fixed.
Compatibility risk is the chance that other applications, add-ins, or connected services may stop working properly with outdated Office versions over time.
How does this affect users?
Can Office still be used after support ends?
Yes, Office applications will continue to function on your devices after October 14 2025, but they operate without ongoing updates or support from Microsoft.
Example: Using Outlook after support ends
A company that uses Outlook from Office 2019 can still open and edit emails after the end-of-support date. However, newly discovered security flaws won’t be patched and compatibility with modern mail server features may degrade over time.
What are your options?
If you’re using Office 2016 or Office 2019 at home or in your business, you should start planning an upgrade before October 2025.
✅ Upgrade to Microsoft 365: Stay protected and benefit from the latest features, security patches, and cloud collaboration tools.
✅ Work with your IT partner: If your version of Office is managed by your IT department or an external IT partner like ITAF, we can help you plan a smooth transition to a supported version that best fits your needs.
Why upgrade now?
Running unsupported software puts your data and business continuity at risk. By upgrading, you ensure:
- Continued access to security updates
- Compliance with security standards
- Modern features for productivity and collaboration
Not sure what version you’re using?
If you’re not sure what version of Office you have installed, you can check using Microsoft’s guide here: Find your Office version.
FAQ
When did support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 end?
Support officially ended on October 14 2025.
Will Office stop working after end of support?
No. The applications continue to run, but they won’t receive updates or official support.
Are security updates still available after end of support?
No. Microsoft stops all security updates for these versions after the end-of-support date.
Is technical support still available from Microsoft?
No. Phone and chat support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 ends with support.
Does end of support affect compliance?
Yes. Unsupported software may not meet security and compliance standards that require supported, patched systems.
How can ITAF help?
ITAF is here to support you. We’ll help you choose the best licensing option, plan your migration, and ensure a smooth, secure transition with minimal downtime.
