Time is running out: End of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019
Posted on September 1, 2025 by Louise Howland
On 14th October 2025, just a matter of weeks away, Microsoft will officially end support for Office 2016 and Office 2019. After that date, these versions of Office will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes or technical assistance.
Although the software will still run, continuing to use it past the deadline is a risky strategy. Unsupported systems quickly become an easy target for cybercriminals, and every day without patches increases your exposure to data breaches, compliance failures and downtime.
The business risks of waiting
With the deadline only weeks away, organisations that fail to prepare now face real and immediate risks:
- Security threats – vulnerabilities will remain unpatched and actively exploited by attackers.
- Compliance issues – running unsupported software may breach regulatory obligations and cyber insurance requirements.
- Integration breakdowns – Microsoft 365 services such as Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint will become increasingly incompatible.
- Falling behind – users will miss out on collaboration tools and AI-driven features that are shaping the modern workplace.
And it’s not just Office reaching the end of the road. Windows 10 also reaches end of life on the same date. If your organisation is still running Windows 10 devices, that’s an additional risk to address. (You can read more about that in our Windows 10 end of life blog for detailed guidance.)
Why acting now is essential
Time is running out, and if you have not already moved all your users to more modern versions of Office then you need to act now. With only weeks left, there is very little time to prepare, and delaying further will increase both risk and disruption. Acting now is vital not only to safeguard your organisation against cyber threats, but also to ensure business continuity, protect compliance status, and give staff the chance to adapt to new tools before the deadline passes. Leaving it any later risks rushed deployments, costly errors, and unnecessary exposure to threats that could have been avoided.
How ramsac can help
At ramsac, we are already supporting organisations through this transition. Our approach includes:
- Assessing your current Office environment and licensing.
- Creating a tailored roadmap for migration to Microsoft 365 or the latest version of Office.
- Managing the upgrade process securely, safeguarding data and minimising downtime.
- Providing training and adoption support to help your team embrace new tools.
- Ensuring your systems remain compliant, secure and resilient for the future.
The clock is ticking
The countdown is on, support ends in just a few short weeks. This isn’t a distant deadline, it’s an immediate priority. Acting now ensures you avoid unnecessary risks and puts your organisation in a stronger position for the years ahead.
Partner with ramsac to make the move seamlessly and confidently—so you can focus on growth, not outdated software.
How can we help you?
We’d love to talk to you about your specific IT needs, and we’d be happy to offer a no obligation assessment of your current IT set up. Whether you are at a point of organisational change, unsure about security, or just want to sanity check your current IT arrangements, we’re here to help.
