Office 2016 and 2019 Are Nearing the End: What It Means for Your Business

The Threat: Why End of Support Matters

For many business leaders, Microsoft’s end-of-support announcements might sound like a minor IT detail. But in reality, it’s a turning point that can affect your entire organization.

When support ends, Microsoft no longer delivers security patches, bug fixes, or technical help. That leaves businesses exposed to:

• Security vulnerabilities — no critical updates means cybercriminals have an open door.
• Compliance risks — outdated software can fall short of modern regulations like GDPR.
• Productivity disruptions — as other apps and systems stop supporting older versions, compatibility issues pile up.

In short: running your company on unsupported tools is like driving with no insurance. Everything works — until it doesn’t.

Key Dates to Watch

• October 14, 2025: End of support for Office 2016 and 2019, as well as Windows 10, Visio, Project, Exchange Server, Skype for Business, and Visual Studio 2015.
• April 2026: Microsoft will begin a forced upgrade for Enterprise customers to the new Outlook for Windows. While administrators can adjust the timeline, this is the clearest sign yet that the old Outlook is going away.
• January 2026: Certain voice features (dictation, transcription, read-aloud) will stop working in older Office versions.
• August 2026: New Office features will no longer be released on Windows 10, even though security updates will continue for a while.

Each milestone is a reminder that Microsoft is tightening its support windows — pushing customers toward Microsoft 365 and cloud-first solutions.

The Solution: Modernize Before It’s Too Late

The safest and smartest path forward is clear: migrate to Microsoft 365.

With Microsoft 365, your company gets:

• Continuous updates and the latest features.
• Enterprise-grade security that evolves with new threats.
• Cloud-based collaboration tools like Teams and OneDrive.
• Seamless integration with the new Outlook for Windows.

For most organizations, upgrading is no longer about if, but when. Waiting until the deadline will only increase costs, risks, and the pressure on your teams.

Don’t Forget Your Connected Tools

The end of support doesn’t just affect Microsoft software itself. If you’re using integrated tools such as eWay-CRM, your business processes may also suffer. Outdated versions of Office and Outlook can disrupt how your CRM connects with email, contacts, or calendars.

That’s why the decision to modernize is also about protecting your broader technology ecosystem.

Conclusion: Get Ready Now

October 14, 2025 is just around the corner, and migration projects take time. Whether it’s updating licenses, training your staff, or reviewing connected applications, the sooner you start, the smoother the transition will be.

Microsoft has made its direction clear: the future is Microsoft 365, the new Outlook, and cloud-first solutions. Businesses that act early will avoid ennecessary disruption.