Office 2016/2019 EOS: Upgrade to Office 2024 + Windows 11
If you’re still using Office 2016 or Office 2019, mark October 14, 2025. That’s when Microsoft ends support for these suites, meaning no more security updates, non-security fixes, or official support will be available. The apps will continue to work, but staying put increases the risk and compatibility headaches over time. Microsoft’s guidance is straightforward: upgrade.
At the same time, Windows 10 also reaches the end of support on October 14, 2025. Aligning your Office upgrade with a move to Windows 11 gives you a supported stack for the next several years.
Read our in-depth guide on Windows 10 End of Support and what it means for you.
Why you should move now (not in October)
- Security & compliance: After EOS, Office 2016/2019 won’t receive security patches. That’s a liability for businesses and anyone opening files from the web.
- Compatibility drift: New integrations, add-ins, and services increasingly target supported versions. Over time, you’ll see more “works on Office 2024/Microsoft 365 only” notes.
- Parallel OS deadline: If you’re on Windows 10, you hit the same deadline on October 14, 2025. Doing Office and OS together reduces downtime and avoids double migration.
Your two safe upgrade tracks
1) Office 2024 (one-time purchase, perpetual access)
- Availability & editions: Office 2024 LTSC editions have been available since October 1, 2024, for Windows PCs. For Mac users, Office 2024 Home and Office Home & Business 2024 are also supported on macOS.
- What’s new: Office 2024 delivers a “locked-in” feature set that includes new Excel functions, improved Word session recovery, updates in Access, and a refreshed design. You receive security and quality updates, but no new features are added after the release.
- Support policy: Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business 2024 editions follow the Modern Lifecycle; Office LTSC 2024 follows the Fixed Lifecycle (five years of support). Both are supported on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Best for: Buyers who prefer a one-time purchase, work primarily on local files, and don’t need feature additions every few months.
2) Microsoft 365 (subscription)
- What you get: The full desktop apps plus cloud features and continuous new features. If you need the latest capabilities as they ship, Microsoft 365 is the path.
- Best for: Teams and individuals who want collaboration (OneDrive/SharePoint), AI-powered features, and continual feature updates rather than a fixed snapshot.
Why pair the move with Windows 11
With Windows 10 ending support on the same day as Office 2016/2019, moving to Windows 11 now means that hardware, OS, and Office are all aligned in terms of support and security. Microsoft’s Windows 10 EOS page is explicit: after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free security updates or technical support. Windows 11 is the recommended upgrade path.
Heads-up on “bridging” options: Microsoft offers Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) to extend security patches past the 2025 date (primarily to ease transitions), but it’s a temporary safety net—not a feature or compatibility fix. If you can move to Windows 11, that’s the durable solution.
Office 2024 vs Microsoft 365—choose by how you work
| If you… | Pick this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want a one-time purchase and a predictable feature set | Office 2024 LTSC | Perpetual access, security & quality updates, no ongoing new features to relearn. |
| Need the latest features and deep cloud collaboration | Microsoft 365 | Continuous feature delivery; includes services and collaboration tools beyond the core apps. |
Tip: Many homes and businesses standardize on Office 2024 LTSC for its stability, fixed feature set, and long-term support, making it ideal where predictable functionality and security are critical.
Quick, safe upgrade plan (checklist)
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Inventory & backup
- List the PCs still running Office 2016/2019 and their OS versions.
- Back up files (local Documents, Desktop, email PSTs if applicable) before making changes.
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Decide your licensing model
- Perpetual: Choose Office LTSC 2024 for a one-time purchase that gives you genuine Microsoft apps with ongoing security and quality updates. Unlike Microsoft 365, LTSC 2024 offers a fixed feature set with no surprise changes. Ideal for individuals, small businesses, and enterprises alike who want stability, control, and long-term support.
- Subscription: Assign Microsoft 365 access and confirm sign-in readiness.
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Prepare Windows
- If you’re on Windows 10, plan the move to Windows 11 on compatible hardware.
- Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to verify compatibility.
- Upgrade or replace devices that don’t meet requirements.
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Uninstall older Office, then install the new version
- For Home / Home & Business installations, follow Microsoft’s “Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024” steps for PC or Mac.
- Sign in, download, and run the installer; activation happens with your Microsoft account or product key.
- For IT-managed environments, Office LTSC 2024 supports deployment with the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) and Configuration Manager.
- Create a configuration.xml file, download it from the CDN or a local source, and then deploy it at scale.
- Refer to our ODT deployment guide for a comprehensive walkthrough.
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Update, test, and go live
- Run Office updates after install (you’ll continue to receive security and quality updates).
- Remember: feature updates don’t apply to LTSC 2024.
- Test critical add-ins and templates.
- Confirm mail profiles and archive locations if Outlook is in scope.
What’s new in Office 2024?
While Office 2024 won’t keep adding features every month, it does ship with meaningful improvements versus older perpetual versions:
- Excel: several new functions and performance improvements.
- Word: better session recovery and reliability enhancements.
- Access: new capabilities and quality updates.
- Design: a more modern look across the suite.
If you’re coming from Office 2016, you’ll also feel years of under-the-hood improvements in file compatibility, rendering, and stability.
Common scenarios and what we recommend
Home user on Windows 10 + Office 2016
Recommended: Upgrade the PC to Windows 11 (if compatible) and install Office LTSC 2024 for a simple, one-time purchase and ongoing security updates. If you share files with students or use cloud collaboration, consider Microsoft 365.
Freelancers or small offices on Office 2019 who need Outlook + commercial rights
Recommended: Move to Office 2024 LTSC on Windows 11. It offers a perpetual license, five years of support, and predictable updates. Ideal for professionals and small businesses who want a secure, non-subscription option.
Small team with shared projects, co-authoring, and mobile work
Recommended: Microsoft 365 on Windows 11. You’ll benefit from OneDrive/SharePoint, Teams, and ongoing feature updates.
IT-managed environment with locked-down devices
Recommended: Office LTSC 2024 deployed via ODT/ConfigMgr on Windows 11. You get a fixed feature set, monthly security/quality updates, and standard volume activation (KMS/MAK).
Ready to upgrade?
The end of support for Office 2016/2019 and Windows 10 is approaching on October 14, 2025. To keep your devices secure and fully compatible, plan a paired upgrade today:
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Move to Windows 11 on compatible hardware
- Check that your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements.
👉 Read our Windows 11 Download Guide for a seamless transition.
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Choose the right Office edition for your setup
- Windows users: Office 2024 LTSC Professional Plus or Office 2024 LTSC Standard
- Mac users: Office Home & Business 2024
👉 Need help with deployment? See our Office 2024 LTSC Pro Plus ODT Download Guide.
At Brytesoft, we provide genuine Office 2024 and Windows 11 product keys, and we can help you select the edition that best suits your needs. Migrating multiple PCs? Our team will provide a straightforward rollout checklist and activation tips to ensure a seamless deployment.
📩 Reach out today. Contact Brytesoft for expert guidance and a worry-free upgrade.
FAQ About Office 2016/2019 End of Support (EOS)
Will Office 2016/2019 stop working after October 14, 2025?
No, the apps will still launch, but they won’t receive security updates, bug fixes, or official support. That’s why Microsoft advises upgrading.
Is there an “extended security updates” (ESU) option for Office 2016/2019?
Microsoft’s EOS guidance does not include an ESU program for these suites. The recommended path is to upgrade to a supported release (Office 2024 or Microsoft 365).
Can I keep Windows 10 and just upgrade to the latest version of Office?
You can install Office 2024 on Windows 10 or Windows 11, but remember Windows 10 itself reaches EOS on October 14, 2025. We recommend pairing the Office upgrade with a move to Windows 11 for ongoing OS security updates.
What’s the difference between Office 2024 and Microsoft 365?
Office 2024 is a one-time purchase with a fixed feature set; Microsoft 365 is a subscription that offers continuous feature updates and cloud services.
How do I install Office 2024?
For Home / Home & Business, sign in and download from your account according to Microsoft’s guide. For volume deployments, use the Office Deployment Tool with a configuration.xml to install Office LTSC 2024 at scale.