Office 2019 and Office 2016 in 2026: can you still activate them, and are they worth it?

Office 2019 and Office 2016 are still searched for a lot: they’re cheap, familiar and work without a subscription. But in 2026 things have changed. Can you still install and activate them? Is it safe to use them? And what about Office 2021? Here’s the answer with Microsoft’s official dates.

1. End-of-support dates

2. What “end of support” means

Office doesn’t switch off or delete itself. Word, Excel and PowerPoint still open and your documents are still there. What ends is:

• Security updates: if a vulnerability is found (for example in Word or Excel files with malicious macros), it won’t be fixed.
• Bug fixes and Microsoft technical support.
• Guaranteed compatibility with Microsoft 365 services (for example Outlook with Exchange Online work accounts).

For writing documents on a home PC the risk is low. For anyone who opens files from clients or strangers (freelancers, offices), the risk grows every month.

3. Can they still be activated?

Yes. Office 2016 and 2019 still install and activate with a valid key, online or by phone. The steps are the same as for newer versions: see Office product key: where to find it and how to activate. If online activation fails, use our Get CID tool.

We no longer sell Office 2016. Office 2019 is still available for anyone who needs it, for example for compatibility with old company macros or templates.

4. Which one makes sense in 2026?

Prices at the time of publication.

• Choose Office 2024 if you use your PC every day, work with other people’s files or want to forget about it for years. For €4 more than Office 2019 you get 3 more years of security patches.
• Office 2019 only makes sense if you need exactly that version, or for a PC that’s never online.

Torn between lifetime Office and Microsoft 365? Read Office 2024 vs Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: which is best?

5. How to move from Office 2016 or 2019 to Office 2024

1. Your documents aren’t touched: they’re in your folders, not inside Office.
2. Uninstall the old version from Settings → Apps.
3. Install Office 2024 from our download links and activate it with the new key.
4. If you use Outlook, check first where your .pst files are and reopen them in the new Outlook.

See Office 2024 Professional Plus
See Office 2019 Professional Plus

Frequently asked questions

Will Office 2019 stop working?

No. It will keep working, just without security updates.

Can I install Office 2024 and keep Office 2019?

It’s not recommended: two Office versions on the same PC often cause activation problems. Uninstall the old one first.

Do Office 2016 files open in Office 2024?

Yes, the .docx, .xlsx and .pptx formats are the same.