Support for Office 14 and Office 2025 will officially end on October 2016, 2019. This means that Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security updates for these products after this date. Although your Office apps will continue to function, you will be at significant security risk from that point on. What does this mean for you and your organization, and what can you do about it? In this blog, we explain it and offer alternatives.

What does the end of support mean?

Microsoft offers a fixed support period for all its products, including Office. Once this period is over, the product is no longer supported.

In concrete terms this means:

• No more security updates: Vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025 will not be fixed. This may expose your systems to viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
• No technical support: You can no longer get help via phone or chat.
• No new software updates: Updates will no longer be offered through Microsoft Update.
• Limited online help: Most online support content will be removed.

Overview of Office versions and their end-of-support dates:

What are the risks after October 14, 2025?

If you continue to use Office 2016 or Office 2019 after the end-of-support date, you may experience the following risks:

• Security risks: Without security updates, you are vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches.
• Compliance issues: Organizations may struggle to comply with regulations if they use unsupported software.
• Compatibility Issues: New operating systems and applications may not work well with old Office versions.

What are your options?

To avoid these risks, we recommend preparing for an upgrade. Here are the main options:

1. Microsoft 365 Apps

This is the subscription version of Office that is included in many Microsoft 365 business and enterprise plans. Benefits include:

• Always the latest features and security updates.
• Use across multiple devices (Windows, Mac, mobile).
• Flexible licensing options, such as multi-user use on shared devices.

2. Office LTSC 2024

For organizations with specific needs, such as devices that cannot accept frequent updates or systems that remain offline, Microsoft offers a one-time purchase option. However, keep in mind that LTSC versions only include the features that were available at the initial release.

Key difference: Microsoft 365 Apps is continuously updated, while Office LTSC 2024 will only receive security updates with no new features.

Why take action now?

October 2025 may seem like a long way off, but creating an upgrade plan takes time. Plus, making the switch early can help:

• To ensure uninterrupted productivity.
• Avoiding security risks.
• To avoid compatibility issues with other software.

Contact BeSharp Experts for advice

Planning and executing an upgrade can be a challenge, especially if you have complex IT environments. At BeSharp Experts, we are here to help you with advice that provides insight into all relevant options, so you can make informed choices. In addition, we can negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best price and contract terms.

Don't wait until it's too late! Contact us today to find out how we can help you stay safe and productive. Get in touch today at info@besharpexperts.com or call us directly 085-007 0484.