After Windows 10, 0patch adds unofficial support for Office 2016, 2019 with new paid plans

Back in April of 2024, Microsoft announced that it was going to be ending support for Office 2016 and 2019 versions alongside Windows 10. The company listed all the Office apps that would no longer be supported. These were:

• Access 2016

• Access 2019

• Excel 2016

• Excel 2019

• OneNote 2016

• Outlook 2016

• Outlook 2019

• PowerPoint 2016

• PowerPoint 2019

• Project 2016

• Project 2019

• Publisher 2016

• Publisher 2019

• Skype for Business 2016

• Skype for Business 2019

• Visio 2016

• Visio 2019

• Word 2016

• Word 2019

• Exchange Server 2016

• Exchange Server 2019

• Skype for Business Server 2015

• Skype for Business Server 2019

Unfortunately, Microsoft has not declared any extension of dates for the versions. On a support article, the company notes that it will "will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security fixes for Office 2016 and Office 2019 vulnerabilities," nor will you "receive Office 2016 and Office 2019 software updates from Microsoft Update."

The company's recommendation for such users is to get Microsoft 365. In fact, earlier this year, it explained why Microsoft 365 is the better way forward compared to Office. To further incentivize it, it also extended support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 for an additional three-year period till October 2028, such that users who are looking to transition to Windows 11 from Windows 10 see Microsoft 365 as a good choice during this phase.

Fortunately for those who wish to stick to Office 2016 and 2019, 0patch has shared that it will continue to provide security support for them. Similar to Windows 10, which it had announced additional five-year support back in June 2024, the cybersecurity firm has added Office 2016 and 2019 to its "security-adopted" commitment. Hence, Office 2016 and 2019 apps will continue receiving updates "for at least 3 more years - and even longer if there's demand on the market" with its new micropatches.

If you are wondering, 0patch micropatches are delivered via in-memory and thus do not disrupt user workflow as they are not interrupted due to system restarts.

0patch notes that combined extended support for Windows 10 22H2 and Office 2016/2019 will be offered through a single license. There are a couple of paid plans for Office 2016/2019 support which the firm has detailed alongside the pricing information. It writes:

• 0patch PRO: suitable for small businesses and individuals, management on the computer only, single administrator account - currently priced at 24.95 EUR + tax per computer for a yearly subscription.

• 0patch Enterprise: suitable for medium and large organizations, includes central management, multiple users and roles, computer groups and group-based patching policies, single sign-on etc. - currently priced at 34.95 EUR + tax per computer for a yearly subscription.

Prices may get adjusted in the future but if/when that happens anyone having an active subscription on current prices will be able to keep these prices on existing subscriptions for two more years. (Another reason to subscribe sooner rather than later.)

You can find more details about them here on the official 0patch announcement post.