Limited 6-Month Support Remaining for These Microsoft Office Versions
As Windows 10 approaches the end of its support life, the same fate awaits multiple versions of Microsoft Office. Mark your calendars: on October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease support for Office 2016 and Office 2019. This change is only six months away, making it crucial for users of these products to consider their next steps.
Microsoft Ends Support for Office 2016 and 2019
According to an official announcement from the Microsoft Tech Community Blog, support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 will cease on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security fixes, bug fixes, or any form of technical support for these versions.
The specific Office products impacted include:
Office 2016 and 2019 Products Reaching End of Support on October 14, 2025 | |
Office Suites | Office 2016, Office 2019 |
Office Applications | Access 2016, Access 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, OneNote 2016, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2019, Project 2016, Project 2019, Publisher 2016, Publisher 2019, Skype for Business 2016, Skype for Business 2019, Visio 2016, Visio 2019, Word 2016, Word 2019 |
Next Steps for Office 2016 and 2019 Users
For those still using Office 2016 or 2019, it’s essential to think about transitioning to a more current solution. Most users are encouraged to switch to Microsoft 365. This subscription service grants access to up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
The pricing structure for Microsoft 365 is as follows:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month.
- Microsoft 365 Family: $129.99 per year or $12.99 per month.
Although many users find the subscription model frustrating compared to the one-time purchase option, Microsoft 365 does offer additional advantages. Starting in January 2025, Microsoft introduced the Copilot AI feature, which provides assistance for document-related tasks. However, this feature comes with a pay-per-use AI credit system that can add extra costs, so users may want to explore other free AI tools that can perform similar functions without fees.
The Synchrony of Office 2016, 2019, and Windows 10 End of Life
It’s also important to note that Windows 10 will reach its end of support on the same day, October 14, 2025. After this date, users can expect that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or feature enhancements for both Windows 10 and the affected Office versions. Sticking with outdated software could lead to security risks and compatibility issues, so users are strongly advised to upgrade to newer operating systems and applications promptly.
