Microsoft Support: Strategies for legally compliant and cost-optimised licence management
Microsoft sets fixed support cycles for its products: once the end of support is reached, the manufacturer ceases to provide security updates, bug fixes and technical support. This regularly affects key products such as Windows operating systems, Office versions, Windows Server and SQL Server – for example, Windows 10, Office 2016, Office 2019 and Office 2021.
For IT managers and procurement teams, this means that the lifecycle of the software and server solutions in use must be regularly assessed and reorganised in good time. Whilst continuing to use the software without manufacturer support remains technically possible, it carries real risks: from unpatched security vulnerabilities and shortcomings in GDPR audits to future compatibility issues.
As an independent partner for comprehensive and cost-optimised Microsoft licence management, Soft & Cloud helps companies to organise their support arrangements in a structured and cost-effective manner. We keep track of relevant deadlines on your behalf, carry out an impartial analysis of existing licence structures and identify practical strategies: from switching to cloud subscriptions and new purchase versions through to hybrid models using licences from remarketing – always with full legal certainty (in accordance with the ECJ ruling), audit compliance and TÜV-certified licence transfer.
Microsoft End of Support and Product Lifecycles at a Glance
| Product name | Start date | End date of mainstream support | Extended end date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | |||
| Office LTSC 2024 | 18. Sept 2024 | 9. Oct 2029 | |
| Office 2021 | 5. Oct 2021 | 13. Oct 2026 | |
| Office 2019 | 24. Sept 2018 | 10. Oct 2023 | 14. Oct 2025 |
| Windows Server | |||
| Windows Server 2025 | 1. Nov 2024 | 13. Nov 2029 | 14. Nov 2034 |
| Windows Server 2022 | 18. Aug 2021 | 13. Oct 2026 | 14. Oct 2031 |
| Windows Server 2019 | 13. Nov 2018 | 9. Jan 2024 | 9. Jan 2029 |
| Windows Server 2016 | 15. Oct 2016 | 11. Jan 2022 | 12. Jan 2027 |
| Exchange Server | |||
| Exchange Server 2019 | 22. Oct 2018 | 9. Jan 2024 | 14. Oct 2025 |
| Exchange Server 2016 | 1. Oct 2015 | 13. Oct 2020 | 14. Oct 2025 |
| SQL Server | |||
| SQL Server 2025 | 18. Nov 2025 | 6. Jan 2031 | 6. Jan 2036 |
| SQL Server 2022 | 16. Nov 2022 | 11. Jan 2028 | 11. Jan 2033 |
| SQL Server 2019 | 4. Nov 2019 | 28. Feb 2025 | 8. Jan 2030 |
| SQL Server 2017 | 29. Sept 2017 | 11. Oct 2022 | 12. Oct 2027 |
| SharePoint Server | |||
| SharePoint Server 2019 | 22. Oct 2018 | 9. Jan 2024 | 14. Jul 2026 |
| Windows Betriebssysteme | |||
| Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 | 1. Oct 2024 | 9. Oct 2029 | |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | 16. Nov 2021 | 12. Jan 2027 | |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 | 13. Nov 2018 | 9. Jan 2024 | 9. Jan 2029 |
When official support ends, Microsoft ceases to provide any updates, security patches or technical support. Whilst the software can still be used, the organisation is exposed to significant security and compliance risks from this date onwards.
Support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 ended on 14 October 2025. For Microsoft Office 2021 (LTSC), 13 October 2026 marks the end of the support period – there is no longer any Extended Support available for this version.
Without security patches, newly discovered vulnerabilities remain unpatched, which facilitates cyber-attacks and can lead to GDPR breaches due to inadequate IT security. Furthermore, there is a risk of compatibility issues with new operating systems in the medium term.
No, moving to the cloud is not compulsory. Alternatively, organisations can switch to newer on-premises perpetual licences or opt for a hybrid model that combines on-premises software for standard workstations with targeted cloud subscriptions.
Licences from remarketing enable a legally compliant transition to newer, fully supported versions of Office and Server at significantly reduced acquisition costs, without being tied to recurring subscription models.
As part of its Licence Advisory Services, Soft & Cloud analyses the licence landscape, identifies potential savings and develops a vendor-neutral succession strategy with full audit and legal compliance.
