Microsoft is calling time on support for a range of popular software this week. You've probably already heard that Windows 10 will reach its End of Life on October 14, leaving anyone still using the second-most popular desktop operating system from Microsoft vulnerable to malware and cybercriminals.
But less well known is the fact that Microsoft will ditch support for several editions of its Office suite, too.
For those who don't know, Microsoft Office contains some of the most popular productivity apps on the planet — with millions relying on this software every day at work, school, and home. Office includes everyday names like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more.
These days, Microsoft offers these apps as part of a monthly subscription called Microsoft 365 (née Office 365) which means you'll always get access to the latest iteration and features, can work in a web browser, and store documents online to access from any device. But the US company used to release new versions of Office every few years for users to download and install on their devices after a one-off purchase.
Microsoft Office 2016 and Microsoft Office 2019, designed from the ground-up to be compatible with Windows 10, will also lose support starting tomorrow (October 14, 2025) too.
If you have any applications from either of these versions of Microsoft Office installed on your device, you could find yourself at increased risk of malware and security threats. The programs included with Office 2016 and Office 2019 include:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- OneNote
- Access
- Publisher
- Skype for Business
With two separate versions of Microsoft Office earmarked to lose support, that's a total of 16 Microsoft-designed apps that will be left without critical security updates and patches.
@gbnews An important change is coming for Microsoft Windows users. Here's how to protect your security. #technology #microsoft #gbnews ♬ original sound - GB News
Microsoft's own experts are sounding the alarm about what you need to know about this deadline. Jeremy Carlson, who heads up product marketing for Microsoft 365, has been warning users about the dangers ahead.
"Continuing to use software after end of support can leave your devices vulnerable to potential security threats, productivity losses, and compliance issues," Mr Carlson said.
Once Tuesday arrives, you won't get any help from Microsoft if something goes wrong — no security fixes, no bug repairs, and no technical support whatsoever.
This is similar to leaving your front door unlocked — hackers can walk right in through these unfixed bugs. Cybercriminals could get into your documents and potentially take control of your device. If you do online banking or shopping on that computer, they might be able to access those accounts too.
"Now is the time to move all remaining devices running Office 2016 or Office 2019 to a supported version," he urged.
If you have Windows 11 on your device, it's important to note that Office 2016 and 2019 will run, but the individual apps will not be updated. Newer versions, such as Office 2021, Office 2024, and Microsoft 365, will support new app updates only.
Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based subscription service from Microsoft that combines your familiar apps like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint at a monthly cost.
| Plan | Price (UK) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Personal | £8.49/month or £84.99/year | - Designed for individual use- Includes 1 TB OneDrive cloud storage- Access to premium Office apps (Word, Excel, Outlook) |
| Microsoft 365 Family | £11.99/month or £119.99/year | - Supports up to 6 users- Each user gets 1 TB OneDrive storage- Premium Office apps + advanced security features |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | £19.99/month | - Office apps with Copilot AI tools (Researcher, Analyst)- Highest Copilot usage limits- Microsoft Defender security- Ideal for high productivity demands |
However, if you only have a device that supports Windows 10, you won't be able to update these newer versions of Office and 365 either.
Windows 11 was released in October 2021, but the upcoming deadline on Windows 10 is pushing millions to upgrade, or they'll miss out on the new updates | MICROSOFT PRESS OFFICE A study has found that an estimated five million Britons will be at risk of malware and cyber attacks. Once attackers penetrate your computer, they can do much more than steal personal documents.
They may take full control of your device, monitor your activities, and capture sensitive data. If you store passwords locally or access online banking and financial accounts, this information could be compromised, potentially leading to identity theft or financial loss.
Technology companies like Microsoft regularly retire older software versions because maintaining them is costly and resource-intensive. While legacy Office applications may still function and open files, they no longer receive the critical protections needed to defend against modern cyber threats.
Instead of letting your old device go to waste, Microsoft offers a trade-in program where you can upgrade to something new
| MICROSOFT PRESS OFFICEIf you need an upgrade so that your device is no longer at risk, there are a few options available.
For instance, instead of letting your old device go to waste, Microsoft is supportive of giving it a new life as you upgrade to something new.
"When ready to purchase a new PC, we encourage customers to leverage trade-in and recycling programs from Microsoft and available at many of our Windows ecosystem partners, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and global retailers, to help ensure older devices are responsibly recycled or repurposed whenever possible," a Microsoft spokesperson told GB News.
If you're looking to take advantage of the trade-in program, then follow these steps:
- Access the trade-in program on Microsoft's UK website
- First up, check if your particular device is eligible for the program
- Assess its condition with Recommerce, and ship it to them with a pre-paid label — you must send the device within 15 days of receiving the label
- Once the device is received and Recommerce finalises the transaction, you'll receive the cash within 30 days via bank transfer
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Microsoft isn't the only company offering these types of programs. If you'd rather keep your Windows 10 device, this company is taking on Microsoft over its decision to kill Windows 10. Back Market, the popular marketplace for refurbished gadgets, is offering an up-to-date, secure operating system for only £99.
This allows your computer to stay updated and protected, so it won't go to waste. You'll have the option to update your computer to two different operating systems:
- ChromeOS Flex, a cloud-first operating system from Google that you can install on Windows PCs and Macs to give them a second life
- Linux, an open-source operating system (OS) kernel that powers a wide variety of operating systems
The company's partners will install it for you, or you have the ability to install it yourself with the help of this handy guide provided by Black Market.
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