Microsoft to End Support for Older Office and Exchange Server Versions Soon — Time to Upgrade!

Microsoft has issued a reminder that extended support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 will officially end on October 14, 2025. Following this date, users of these versions will no longer receive security patches, bug fixes, or technical assistance.

Microsoft has warned that customers using Office 2016 and Office 2019 may expose themselves to security vulnerabilities and other risks. The company recommends upgrading to Microsoft 365 E3, which includes the Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise along with core device management, security, and compliance features. Users will gain access to the latest versions of Office desktop applications (like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), as well as Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Organizations that prefer not to transition to the cloud can upgrade to Office LTSC 2024. This version includes select Microsoft 365 Apps and will receive five years of support under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy.

“While the applications may continue to function, using unsupported software could lead to potential security risks and other issues. Because migrations can take time, we recommend starting to upgrade any remaining devices your organization has running Office 2016 or Office 2019 to a supported version as soon as possible,” Microsoft explained.

What happens when Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 reach end of support?

In October 2025, Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 will also lose extended support, prompting customers to plan their migrations to Exchange Online. For those who want to remain on-premises, Microsoft will release Exchange Server Subscription Edition (SE) in Q3 2025.

Microsoft notes that customers running Exchange Server 2019 should be able to perform an in-place upgrade to Exchange Server SE. However, upgrading from Exchange Server 2016 is more complicated, as it requires building a new infrastructure, reconfiguring namespaces, and migrating mailboxes. So, it is advisable to upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible to be prepared for the launch of Exchange Server SE.

Microsoft has published an upgrade guidance to help organizations transition from Office 2016 or Office 2019 to Microsoft 365 Apps. Administrators can also contact the Microsoft sales team to learn more about how Microsoft 365 and other cloud-based solutions can benefit their organizations.