The End of Support for Microsoft Office 2016 and Prior: What You Need to Know and How to Prepare

October 14, 2025, marks a critical date for many organizations: Microsoft Office 2016 and earlier versions will officially reach End of Support (EOS). While these products may continue to function, they will no longer receive feature updates or technical support—and only limited security patches, if any. 

This shift could pose serious challenges for businesses still relying on these tools. 


Why This Matters

Unsupported software introduces risk. Here’s what’s at stake: 

  • Security vulnerabilitiesWithout updates, these products become more susceptible to cyber threats and breaches. 
  • Compliance challenges: Unsupported systems can jeopardize regulatory compliance, particularly in industries with strict data governance. 
  • Operational inefficiencies: As other technologies evolve, older Office products may struggle with compatibility, limiting productivity and collaboration. 
  • Licensing pitfalls: Continuing to run out-of-date software could create licensing and audit issues. 

How BDO Digital Can Help

BDO’s EOS Planning & Migration Readiness engagement is designed to guide your organization through this transition—mitigating risk while identifying modernization opportunities. Here's what to expect: 

EOS Risk & Readiness Assessment

We help identify which Microsoft Office versions are approaching EOS and evaluate how that impacts business operations and security posture.

Dependency Mapping

Understand how outdated Office software interacts with other systems to avoid downstream disruptions. 

Prioritized Roadmap

Receive a tailored migration plan based on your organization's risk profile, dependencies, and business goals. 

Modernization & Licensing Guidance

Explore opportunities to adopt Microsoft 365 or cloud-native alternatives and get insights on optimizing licensing and cost planning. 

Don’t Wait—The Clock Is Ticking 

With the EOS deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act. Proactive planning today can help you reduce risk, streamline operations, and position your business for long-term success. 

Let’s align your roadmap and ensure a secure, supported, and future-ready Microsoft environment.