Most organizations already know that Windows 10 and Exchange Server are reaching end of support, but many don’t realize Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 officially ended support on October 14, 2025. And for many teams, Office isn’t just software, it’s where work happens. Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint… they’re the tools we use every single day to communicate, collaborate, and stay productive.
That’s why this shift matters. It’s not just an IT update, it impacts your people, your data, and your ability to operate securely and confidently.
When Microsoft says “end of support,” here’s what’s actually happening:
No More Security Protection
Your Office apps stop receiving fixes, patches, and updates.
No matter how careful your team is, outdated software becomes an easy target for attackers, especially ransomware and macro-based threats.
No More Microsoft Help
If something breaks, crashes, or behaves strangely, Microsoft support can’t assist.
Your IT team is left troubleshooting blind.
Higher Security & Compliance Risk
Organizations in regulated industries, such as education, healthcare, finance, government, may face audit issues or compliance gaps just by running unsupported Office versions.
Growing Compatibility Problems
Over time, Office 2019 will stop playing nicely with:
Windows 11
OneDrive
Teams
Microsoft 365 cloud services
Third-party add-ins your staff rely on
This can create friction in your workflows and downtime for your team.
This isn’t just about versions, it’s about experience.
When your team opens Excel and something doesn’t sync…
When Outlook crashes right before a meeting…
When files won’t open the way they used to…
It slows everything down. The human cost is real:
lost time, rising frustration, stalled collaboration, and more work for your IT staff.
Humanizing IT means preventing those pain points before they hit.
Depending on how your organization prefers to manage software, you have three solid options:
1. Microsoft 365 Apps (Subscription)
Best for teams that want continuous innovation and the most secure, collaborative experience.
Always up to date
Includes core Office apps + Teams
Real-time collaboration and OneDrive integration
AI features like Microsoft Copilot
Included with plans like Business Premium or Standard
This is the path most organizations are taking today.
2. Office 2024 (Perpetual License)
A one-time purchase for teams that prefer traditional software models.
No subscription
Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote (Outlook in Home & Business)
Security updates through October 2029
No new features after purchase
This works best for organizations with stable needs and limited cloud use.
3. Office LTSC 2024
Built for specialized environments that need long-term stability and limited connectivity.
Ideal for regulated, manufacturing, or air-gapped systems
No cloud dependency
Long-term support without feature changes
Staying on Office 2019 after October 14, 2025 means exposing your organization to:
Security vulnerabilities (no patches, higher attack risk)
Compliance violations
Integration failures with modern tools
Operational downtime and increased IT load
Fewer productivity features and no AI advancements
Unsupported software adds friction to everyday work, and that’s exactly what we’re here to prevent.
Continuing to use Office 2019 is a bit like driving without insurance: it works… until it doesn’t. And when something goes wrong, the cost, financially and operationally, is much higher.
Upgrading doesn’t just check a compliance box. It protects your people, your data, and the smooth, human-centered experience your organization deserves.
Matrix Integration can help your team choose the right path, plan the rollout, and make the transition seamless, so your people can keep working without disruption.