Office 2016 & 2019 End of Support in 2025: What Your Business Must Do Now
The clock is ticking for businesses still using Office 2016 to Office 2019. Microsoft has officially announced that both versions will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. If your organization is still relying on these legacy platforms, now is the time to act.
At Computer Solutions East, we want to make sure our clients and partners are well-prepared for what comes next. Here’s what you need to know about the end of support and what steps you should take to ensure business continuity, compliance, and security.
What Does End of Support Mean?
End of support means that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, technical support, or bug fixes for Office 2016 and Office 2019. While the applications will continue to function, running unsupported software creates serious risks:
- Security Vulnerabilities: Without updates, you’re exposed to malware, ransomware, and cyber-attacks.
- Compliance Risks: Using outdated software can put you out of alignment with industry or government regulations.
- Limited Compatibility: Newer Windows versions, cloud services, and file types may not be fully compatible.
- No Support: You won’t be able to contact Microsoft for help with issues or outages.
Why It Matters for Your Business
If you’re in industries such as government, healthcare, or finance, using unsupported software could put sensitive data at risk. And for businesses working with Microsoft 365 services or Azure, outdated Office apps will start facing compatibility issues with collaboration tools like Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
Delaying the transition increases costs and complexity down the road. Planning early lets you migrate on your terms, not in a panic.
Your Best Path Forward: Microsoft 365
The best replacement for Office 2016 and 2019 is Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Standard, a cloud-based productivity suite that includes the latest Office apps along with advanced features, security, and seamless integration across devices. This upgrade not only brings your organization up to date but also improves your environment against similar disruptions.
With Microsoft 365 Business Premium to Standard, you’ll benefit from:
- Always up-to-date versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more
- Advanced threat protection and built-in compliance tools
- Real-time collaboration in Teams and cloud storage in OneDrive
- Centralized admin controls, mobile device management, and analytics
- Full access to Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Teams for seamless communication and productivity
Migrating to Microsoft 365 also ensures future compatibility and positions your business for ongoing innovation with AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot.
How CSE Can Help
At CSE, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses modernize their workplace by upgrading from legacy Office environments to Microsoft 365. Our team provides:
- License assessments and cost-optimized migration planning
- Seamless data migration from Office 2016/2019 to Microsoft 365
- Change management, training, and end-user support
- Enhanced security configurations and compliance alignment
Modern AI Workplace CSE Services
CSE doesn’t just support cloud upgrades, we empower organizations to take full advantage of AI-powered productivity. As part of your move to Microsoft 365, we also help unlock next-gen MSP like:
- Microsoft Copilot: Integrated AI across Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
- Copilot in Microsoft Teams: Intelligent meeting summaries, task tracking, and follow-up chat
- AI-driven content creation in PowerPoint and Word
- Data insights and automation in Excel using natural language queries
- Productivity optimization tools integrated with Microsoft Viva and Planner
Whether you’re upgrading Office, Exchange, Skype for Business, Visio, or Project, CSE can guide you to the Microsoft 365 plans recommended by Microsoft, ensuring that your environment remains secure, fully supported, and aligned with modern workplace needs.
Don’t Wait Until October 2025
October 14 2025, may seem far away, but proactive planning starts now. The sooner you act, the more flexibility you have to upgrade at your pace, train your team, and avoid last-minute disruptions.
Let CSE help you move forward with confidence.
