👋 Farewell: Support for Office 2016, Office 2019 (14 October 2025)

Hey Reader,

What's Changing

Office 2016, Office 2019, Visio 2016/2019, and Project 2016/2019 will stop receiving updates and support after October 14, 2025. This means no more security patches, bug fixes, or technical assistance for these versions.

Who it's changing for

Primary audience: Users on Office 2016 and Office 2019

• Impact: High - Will lose security updates and support for daily work tools
• How they'll feel: Concerned about security risks, worried about learning new systems, anxious about timing

Secondary audience: Users on current Microsoft 365 Apps

• Impact: None - already using supported versions
• How they'll feel: Relieved they're already upgraded

IT Teams/Administrators:

• Impact: High - Need to plan and execute migration before deadline
• How they'll feel: Pressured by timeline, concerned about user disruption and organizational readiness

Why it's changing

Microsoft is ending support for these older versions because they can't provide the security and performance your organization needs in today's work environment. The older Office versions were built for a different era - they don't include modern security protections against current threats, can't take advantage of cloud collaboration that remote and hybrid teams rely on, and miss out on productivity features that make work easier. Microsoft 365 Apps keeps your applications automatically updated with the latest security patches, gives you access to new features as soon as they're released, and works seamlessly across your devices whether you're in the office or working remotely, ensuring your organization stays protected and productive.

When It's Changing

October 14, 2025: Complete end of support for Office 2016, Office 2019, Visio 2016/2019, and Project 2016/2019

• All security updates stop permanently
• Technical support no longer available
• No bug fixes or compatibility updates

Action required by: October 13, 2025

Important: This is a hard cutoff with no grace period or extensions available.

What's in it for you

1. Always protected: Automatic security updates keep you safe from the latest threats without you having to think about it
2. Work from anywhere: Access your files and apps seamlessly across desktop, mobile, and web - everything stays in sync
3. Latest features automatically: Get new productivity tools and improvements as soon as they're available, not years later
4. Better collaboration: Real-time co-authoring, cloud storage, and seamless sharing make teamwork easier
5. AI-powered productivity: Eligible to use Microsoft 365 Copilot to work faster and smarter
6. Peace of mind: No more worrying about whether your software is current, secure, or compliant

What you can do to prepare

Recommended path: Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps (for enterprise or for business)

• Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
• Always up-to-date with continuous support
• Works on desktop, mobile, and web
• Copilot-ready for AI assistance

Alternative option: For fully disconnected environments, upgrade to Office LTSC 2024

• Supported until October 2029
• One-time purchase model
• Includes core Office apps only

Remember: upgrading isn't just about avoiding problems - it's about giving yourself better, more secure tools that make your work easier and more effective.

Remember: change succeeds when people understand not just what they must do differently, but why doing it differently serves them better.

Go well and feel free to let me know your thoughts.

Anthony

ps - If you think of someone you know would benefit from joining our community, please care and share, they can sign up here and get them delivered directly to their inbox with early access.

Source: Message Centre - Message ID: MC1154299 | Published Date: 16 September 2025 | Services: Microsoft 365 Apps