Office 2016 and 2019 also need to be upgraded
Windows 10 reaches end-of-life on October 14, 2025, but that’s not the only thing Microsoft will stop supporting on that day. Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 also reach their end-of-life as Microsoft continues driving users to Microsoft 365. While these products will continue to function beyond that date, Microsoft will no longer provide support of security updates for them. Continuing to use them after that time will be a security risk.
With only about three months left to upgrade to a supported solution, businesses need to take steps now. Unsupported Windows 10 presents a serious security weakness. The good news is there are quick paths to upgrade as long as your computer is not too old. Check out my previous blog for more detail about upgrading to Windows 11.
Steps to upgrading to Windows 11
The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free, however, your computer hardware needs to be compatible with Windows 11. For example, if the processor on your computer is a 7th generation Intel processor or older, you will need to upgrade your hardware. Microsoft recommends downloading the PC Health Check app to determine if your computer is compatible with Windows 11. You can find instructions and a link to download that app here.
It should be noted that the upgrade to Windows 11 can take a long time to complete. Be sure to have adequate time to work through the complete upgrade process as stopping it can cause major problems. You will notice subtle changes to the appearence of Windows and a few feature updates. Most users adapt to the new look quickly without major issues. For an overview of some of the new features and design concepts used in Windows 11, check out this YouTube video.
Office 2016 and 2019 upgrades
If you are still using Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019, you should upgrade before October 15, 2025 as well. The easiest way to upgrade your Office license is by subscribing to Microsoft 365. Visit this page to compare the various options for upgrading your Microsoft Office license.
While many continue to resist the move to subscription-based software, there are many benefits to making the move. Microsoft 365 provides the applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint along with others while adding many additional services. For instance, you can host your email, store files in OneDrive, use Teams for video conferencing and chat among many other useful features. Additionally, subscription applications are kept up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. Check out these past blogs to learn more about OneDrive and Teams.
Support for Microsoft Publisher ends in October 2026
Microsoft has also decided to discontinue support for Publisher in October 2026. In fact, even users with a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Publisher will lose access to it at this time. Microsoft has added desktop publishing capabilities to Word over the years and recommend it as an alternative. I have used Publisher for years and cannot endorse Word as a viable replacement. Microsoft also suggests PowerPoint as an alternative, but again, it falls short in my opinion. Check out this page for some tips on what to do with your old Publisher files before October 1, 2026.
Adobe InDesign is the most popular desktop publishing software available today, but it comes with a steep pricetag. Adobe only offers subscription-based versions of their powerful design applications. You can get InDesign for an individual for $22.99 per month and more for businesses. It is also included in their Creative Suite offering starting at $59.99 per month. Of course there are others like Canva that offer lower price tags.
The importance of supported software
Many times I have heard clients tell me that they don’t need the latest version of software. I understand their frustration with things changing when they worked just fine previously. However, the most important part of having software that is supported and updated is security. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for progamming flaws in software. When they find ways to manipulate software to do things other than it was designed to do, it can lead to big trouble.
There is an entire industry centered around discovering software vulnerabilities. In fact, there are platforms for ethical hackers to find flaws in software. Many software companies even pay a bounty for discovering bugs in their software. Of course, there are even more who discover them to use criminal attacks or to sell on the dark web to those with bad intentions. Ultimately, the best practice is to keep software updated with the latest security. This is what makes subscription-based software attractive.