- Microsoft has announced the end of support for older versions of Office applications and servers by October 2025, aligning with Windows 10’s end of support.
- Businesses using Office 2016, Office 2019, and related productivity servers risk security vulnerabilities, productivity losses, and compliance issues post-support.
- Microsoft urges migration to cloud-based options like Microsoft 365 E3 or Office Long-Term Servicing Channel, while smaller businesses may rely on third-party security tools or opt for standalone Office suites.
Microsoft has announced that as of October 2025, older versions of Office applications and servers will cease to receive security updates, coinciding with the end of support for Windows 10.
Specifically, Office 2016 and Office 2019 suites, along with related productivity servers such as Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, as well as Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019, will no longer receive security fixes, bug fixes, or technical updates after this date.
Also read: What AI voice generator is everyone using?
Also read: Generative AI in the pharmaceutical industry
There might be security risks of using older versions
Mariana Prudencio, senior product marketing manager at Microsoft, emphasised the potential security risks, productivity losses, and compliance issues that businesses may face if they continue to use these products beyond the support deadline.
To mitigate these risks, Microsoft is urging customers to transition to cloud-based options, such as Microsoft 365 E3, or to consider the Office Long-Term Servicing Channel, which extends support until 2026.
For businesses still using Exchange Server on-premises, migration to the upcoming Exchange Server expected in 2025 is recommended before the end of support.
Jack Gold, founder and principal analyst at J. Gold Associates, highlighted the significant security implications for businesses relying on Exchange servers, particularly regarding email-related threats.
Smaller businesses may face challenges in migration
While larger companies have largely migrated to online solutions, smaller businesses may face challenges in migration due to cost or complexity.
However, Gold noted that smaller businesses may rely on third-party security tools to mitigate risks associated with running outdated software.
Despite the end of support, some businesses may choose to continue using outdated versions of Office suites, either opting for cloud-based solutions or purchasing standalone Office suites as needed.
