Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 end of life: what to check now
Windows 10, Office 2016 and Office 2019 stopped getting free security fixes on 14 October 2025. Windows Server 2016 follows in January 2027. Machines still run after these dates, which is why they're easy to ignore. But every new security hole found from then on stays open unless you're paying for extended updates.
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The short answer
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, Office 2016, Office 2019 and Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 on 14 October 2025. Windows Server 2016 reaches end of extended support in January 2027. Businesses should list every device and server running these, upgrade or replace them, and pay for Extended Security Updates only as a short bridge. Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 keep getting security updates until 10 October 2028, but the operating system itself does not.
What end of support actually means
The software keeps working. What stops is Microsoft fixing it. Any new security weakness found after the end date is public knowledge and never patched, so attackers know exactly what to try. The Australian Signals Directorate lists replacing legacy technology as one of the main things businesses should do, and the Essential Eight expects unsupported operating systems to be replaced even at its first maturity level.
The dates that matter
Windows 10: ended 14 October 2025
Businesses can buy Extended Security Updates for up to three years. Microsoft's price is US$61 per device for the first year, doubling each year after.
Office 2016 and 2019: ended 14 October 2025
These one-off purchase versions of Office no longer get security fixes. Microsoft 365 subscriptions are not affected.
Exchange Server 2016 and 2019: ended 14 October 2025
Anyone still running email on their own server should move it to Microsoft 365 or a supported version.
Windows Server 2016: January 2027
Extended support ends in January 2027. If your file server, accounting database or practice software runs on it, plan the move now.
Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10: 10 October 2028
Word, Excel and Outlook from a Microsoft 365 subscription keep getting security updates on Windows 10 until then. Windows itself doesn't.
Who this is for
- Businesses with a mix of older and newer PCs and no clear list of which is which.
- Practices and offices with an on-site server that's been running quietly for years.
- Owners who bought Office as a one-off purchase rather than a subscription.
What to do now
- Make a list. Every PC, laptop and server with its operating system and Office version. Press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter to see the Windows version on any PC.
- Check what can upgrade. Many Windows 10 PCs from the last few years can move to Windows 11 for free. Older ones fail the hardware check and need replacing.
- Look hard at the server. Find out what runs on it and whether that software supports a newer server or the cloud. Some line-of-business apps need their vendor involved.
- Use extended updates as a bridge only. Paying for Extended Security Updates buys time for machines that can't be replaced straight away. The price doubles each year, so it isn't a long-term plan.
- Budget the replacements. Spread the cost across the next few months rather than replacing everything in a panic after a problem.
How WaTo can help
- Our IT health check lists every device and server that's past or near its end of support date.
- We upgrade PCs to Windows 11 where the hardware allows, and supply and set up replacements where it doesn't.
- We move old servers to a newer server, the cloud or Microsoft 365, working with your software vendors.
End of life questions
Will my Windows 10 computer stop working?
No. It keeps running, but it no longer gets security fixes unless you've paid for Extended Security Updates. Each month that passes leaves it more exposed.
Is antivirus enough to keep a Windows 10 PC safe?
No. Antivirus helps, but it can't fix weaknesses in Windows itself. Only updates do that.
Can every Windows 10 PC upgrade to Windows 11?
No. Windows 11 needs a reasonably recent processor and a security chip called TPM 2.0. The PC Health Check app from Microsoft tells you if a machine qualifies.
What about Windows Server 2019 and 2022?
They're still supported for now. Server 2016 is the next one to go, in January 2027.
How WaTo can help with this
Guides on this topic
- How to manage the life of business computers and devices
- IT health check checklist: 24 questions for small business owners
- Cloud, on-premises or hybrid: what suits a small business?
Sources & references
WaTo Consulting. Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Review when Microsoft changes Extended Security Updates pricing or support dates.
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