Executive summary
- Both Office 2016 and Office 2019 are going “end of life” on October 14th 2025. This means any tech support from Microsoft will end entirely, including security updates and bug fixes.
- Using products like these beyond their end-of-life date can be a big security risk since Microsoft will no longer plug any security holes (and hackers will be targeting them even harder).
- Microsoft 365 subscribers won’t be affected, so this is a great time to plan a move from a perpetual license to a suitable subscription.
Introduction
Remember the days of buying Office once and keeping it forever?
Those times might just be gone forever – but it’s been a long time coming. It used to be that buying a perpetual license for Microsoft Office gave you a full 10 years of support from Microsoft. Today, they’ve protracted that timeline by half, with the latest Office one-off licences granting just 5 years of support.
In the meantime, we’re seeing older products hitting the end of those decade-long runways – and that includes Office 2016 and 2019. For them, the clock stops on October 14, 2025.
If you’re still running those classic versions, you’ll soon face security gaps and zero support from Microsoft. Here’s how to prepare and how to keep your business protected.
What’s happening to Office 2016 and 2019?
Office 2016 and 2019 are “perpetual” products. That means they’re boxed or volume‑licensed copies that you pay for up front, then use indefinitely.
Sounds like a good deal, right? Especially when subscriptions are the most common software pricing model today. But come October 14th, 2025, anyone still running Office 2016 or 2019 will see why subscriptions might actually be the better option in a world full of cyberthreats.
Once support for these products ends, there’ll be no more security patches, bug fixes, or phone and chat support from Microsoft. You’ll still be able to open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but any new-found vulnerabilities will be yours to manage alone. And, unlike earlier generations of Office, there’s no extended security update option which used to allow you to buy your way to extra time.
After October 14th 2025, it’s game over for these flavours of Office.
What ‘end of support’ really means for you
Just as the name suggests, once a Microsoft product goes end of life (EOL), it essentially no longer exists in the eyes of the Microsoft support team.
As a user of that software, you’re left exposed to viruses, spyware, and other malicious software which may compromise that product – no matter how carefully you browse or how strict your antivirus.
Software going EOL also acts like something of a homing beacon to nefarious hackers across the web. They’re instantly aware that Microsoft won’t be plugging anymore security holes, and they’ll work double-time to find – and exploit – any vulnerabilities. This has happened before, with Windows XP and the “XPocalypse” being an excellent example.
In short, sticking with Office 2016 or 2019 past EOL means accepting a risk which grows in severity every day. For us at Get Support, that’s not a risk we want any of our clients to take.
Why subscriptions just make sense
Microsoft’s goal is clear: move everyone to Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Subscriptions guarantee you’re always on the latest version, with seamless feature updates and ongoing security fixes. For Microsoft, it smooths out revenue. For customers, it replaces costly upgrade projects with predictable monthly fees. And it’s not just about Office apps. Microsoft 365 bundles in Teams, OneDrive storage, and advanced security and device management tools that perpetual licences simply don’t include.
How to prepare for the change
If you’re not sure whether this will impact your organisation, here’s a quick checklist:
- First, check which Office version you’re running. Open any Office app, go to Account, and you’ll see your edition and build number. If it says 2016 or 2019, mark October 14, 2025 on your calendar.
- Next, take a fresh look at the available Microsoft 365 subscription options. The free Microsoft 365 Apps plan might be enough to meet your needs, but if you’re like most SMBs, you’ll need a more complete plan like Business Premium. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help.
- Finally, start budgeting. Subscription fees will replace any one‑off upgrade costs you might previously have faced, so build monthly licence fees into your IT budget now.
Need help? We’re here for that
If you’re still using Office 2016 or 2019, this will probably seem like a lot to manage. But don’t worry – our team is here to help.
We can develop a migration strategy for your organisation which will optimise licences and prepare your team for a seamless move to Microsoft 365. Our team can help you choose the right plan, move data, and configure security policies. With the right support, you’ll swap out those perpetual licences smoothly and keep working without missing a beat.
To start the process now, just reach out to your Get Support Customer Success Manager, or call the team on 01865 594000.