End of Support (EOS) for Microsoft Products in 2026: What Does This Mean for Your Organization?
For many organizations, 2026 represents an important turning point in their IT landscape. Several widely used Microsoft products will reach their End of Support (EOS) at that time. Although this date is often perceived as “still far away,” ignoring it can have serious consequences for security, compliance, and business continuity.
End of Support means that Microsoft will stop providing security updates, technical support, and bug fixes or functional improvements. The software may continue to function technically, but from that moment on it becomes increasingly vulnerable and risky to use. Especially for IT managers, compliance officers, and organizations that rely heavily on Microsoft software, it is therefore essential to plan ahead in a timely manner and define a clear strategy. In this blog, you can read more about all end dates and the measures you can take.
Which Microsoft Products Reach EOS in 2026?
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
These products reach end of support according to Microsoft’s fixed lifecycle policy:
Advanced Threat Analytics 1.X
Dynamics CRM 2016 (Dynamics 365)
Visual Studio 2022, version 17.10 (LTSC channel)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Products that reach end of support on this date:
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Parallel Data Warehouse (Analytics Platform System)
On April 14, several other, less critical Microsoft products will also reach end of support. View the complete overview on the Microsoft lifecycle page.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
A large group of products will reach end of support in 2026, including server releases:
Dynamics GP 2016
Dynamics GP 2016 R2
InfoPath 2013
Project Server 2016
Project Server 2019
SharePoint Designer 2013
SQL Server 2014, Extended Security Updates Year 2
SQL Server 2016
Visual Studio 2022, version 17.12 (LTSC channel)
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
The final major group of products losing support in 2026:
Access LTSC 2021
Excel LTSC 2021
Office LTSC 2021
Office LTSC 2021 for Mac
OneNote LTSC 2021
Outlook LTSC 2021
PowerPoint LTSC 2021
Project 2021 (LTSC)
Publisher LTSC 2021
Skype for Business LTSC 2021
Visio LTSC 2021
Windows 10 2016 LTSB
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016
Windows Server 2012, Extended Security Updates Year 3
Windows Server 2012 R2, Extended Security Updates Year 3
Word LTSC 2021
The Office 2021 suite is an essential tool for many organizations, but the end of support is approaching. Ensure business continuity by migrating in time. At Softtrader, you can find cost-effective replacement licenses through our pre-owned volume licenses. With a perpetual Office 2024 license, you benefit from the latest features and a long support lifecycle, allowing you to continue working worry-free with Microsoft’s most up-to-date Office software.
Risks of Continuing to Use EOS Software
Security risks: an open door to cyber threats
Once software reaches EOS, newly discovered vulnerabilities are no longer patched. Cybercriminals actively target these outdated systems, knowing that no further updates will be released.
Compliance and audit risks
Many laws and regulations (such as ISO standards, NIS2, and GDPR-related security requirements) require software to be actively supported. Using EOS software can result in:
Negative audit findings
Contractual risks
Increased liability in the event of data breaches
Operational risks and reduced continuity
Outdated software may increasingly struggle to integrate with modern systems, cloud solutions, and hardware. This raises the likelihood of disruptions, performance issues, and higher management overhead.
Solutions and Strategies for EOS in 2026
Timely upgrade planning prevents rush and errors
A structured upgrade plan gives organizations the time to make well-considered decisions. By starting now, you avoid emergency measures just before the EOS date.
Pre-owned Microsoft licenses as a budget-friendly solution
An upgrade does not automatically mean being locked into expensive subscription models. Pre-owned Microsoft licenses from Softtrader offer an attractive alternative. These fully legal and compliant licenses make it possible to upgrade to modern versions with a one-time investment instead of recurring costs.
Phased migration to limit business impact
By carrying out migrations in phases, organizations can mitigate risks while continuing to support day-to-day operations. This is especially important for databases, server environments, and mission-critical applications.
Practical Roadmap Towards 2026
Step 1: Identify EOS products within your organization
Create an inventory of all Microsoft products and determine which versions will reach EOS in 2026.
Step 2: Evaluate licensing needs and IT budget
Determine which functionality is essential and where optimization or consolidation is possible.
Step 3: Choose the right licensing strategy
Consider whether new licenses are required or whether pre-owned licenses via Softtrader better align with your budget and infrastructure.
Step 4: Plan implementation, training, and adoption
Ensure that users and IT teams are properly prepared so that new software can be deployed effectively from day one.
The Benefits of Pre-Owned Microsoft Licenses
Pre-owned Microsoft licenses are fully legal and demonstrably compliant with European laws and regulations. This allows organizations to responsibly benefit from significant cost savings compared to purchasing new licenses or entering into expensive cloud subscriptions. By choosing pre-owned licenses, companies can better control their IT budgets without compromising security, regulatory compliance, or the functional capabilities of the software.
On-premise licenses also offer a high degree of flexibility and control. Because you are not tied to ongoing cloud subscriptions, you maintain full visibility into your IT costs and can plan license investments strategically. You are less dependent on future price increases or changes in subscription models and can allocate your IT budget more effectively to the most critical applications and infrastructure.
Thanks to the lower investment costs of pre-owned licenses, it becomes feasible for organizations to upgrade more quickly to the latest software versions, even in large environments or across multiple projects simultaneously. An on-premise environment often offers additional advantages over cloud solutions: your organization retains direct control over data management, internal security, and compliance processes. This makes it easier to meet internal policies, external regulations, and security standards, while still benefiting from modern functionality and improved software performance.
EOS as a Strategic Turning Point
The end of support in 2026 is not merely a technical detail, but a strategic trigger. Organizations that anticipate this change in a timely manner avoid security risks, compliance issues, and unexpected costs. By making licensing and migration decisions now, you create stability, predictability, and control.
Softtrader supports you with strategic advice and pre-owned Microsoft licenses to mitigate EOS risks and optimize your IT budget. Contact Softtrader or view the product overview for more information.
FAQ
What exactly does End of Support (EOS) mean?
End of Support means that Microsoft stops providing security updates, bug fixes, functional improvements, and technical support for a product. The software continues to function technically, but becomes more vulnerable and riskier to use.
Why is EOS a risk for my organization?
Security risks: New vulnerabilities are no longer patched, making it easier for cyberattacks to succeed.
Compliance and audit risks: The use of EOS software can result in negative audit findings, contractual risks, and increased liability in the event of data breaches.
Operational risks: EOS software increasingly struggles to integrate with modern systems, cloud solutions, and hardware, which can lead to disruptions and performance issues.
What can I do to mitigate EOS risks?
Start upgrade planning early to avoid time pressure and errors.
Consider pre-owned Microsoft licenses as a cost-effective alternative.
Perform migrations in phases to minimize business impact.
What are pre-owned Microsoft licenses?
Pre-owned licenses are fully legal and compliant within the EU. They are on-premise licenses that require a one-time investment, as opposed to ongoing cloud subscriptions.
What benefits do pre-owned on-premise licenses offer?
Cost savings: Significant savings compared to new licenses or subscriptions.
Flexibility in license planning: Maintain control over IT costs and reduce dependence on future cloud price increases.
Faster and secure modernization: Lower investment costs make upgrades feasible; on-premise offers advantages in data management, security, and internal compliance.
How can I prepare my organization for EOS 2026?
Step 1: Identify all EOS products within your organization.
Step 2: Evaluate licensing needs and IT budget.
Step 3: Choose the right licensing strategy (new or pre-owned licenses).
Step 4: Plan implementation, training, and adoption of new software.
Which Office version is a good alternative to Office 2021 LTSC?
Office 2024 LTSC is the latest version with a long support lifecycle. Softtrader offers perpetual pre-owned Office 2024 licenses, allowing you to continue working worry-free with the most up-to-date features and security updates.