Windows 10, Office 2021 and Server 2016: what end of support means for you
Microsoft has stopped, or is about to stop, security updates for three products many manufacturers still run. Nothing switches off on the day, and your PCs will keep working. But each month after, new security holes stay open, and insurers and customers notice. Here's what's ending and your options.
The dates
| Product | What happens | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 | Free support ended. Paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) available for businesses for up to 3 years. | Support ended 14 Oct 2025 | Microsoft: Windows 10 ESU |
| Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 (Home & Business, Professional and other editions) | Support ends. No more security updates. | Last security update 13 Oct 2026 (Microsoft lists retirement as 14 Oct 2026) | Microsoft Lifecycle: Office 2021 |
| Windows Server 2016 | Extended support ends. The last monthly security update is released on 12 Jan 2027. | 13 Jan 2027 | Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2016 |
Dates as listed by Microsoft, checked 1 Oct 2026.
Windows 10: buy time or replace
For business PCs, Microsoft sells Extended Security Updates per device, per year. Microsoft's published price is $61 per device for year 1, $122 for year 2 and $244 for year 3, and the years are cumulative: if you join in year 2, you pay for year 1 as well (Microsoft, Windows 10 ESU page, checked 1 Oct 2026). Only PCs on Windows 10 version 22H2 qualify.
Our options:
- A. Keep and cover: ESU on PCs that can't be replaced yet (often machine-control PCs or ones tied to old software).
- B. Replace: we tell you exactly what PC to buy for each job; you buy it from your usual supplier, so the warranty stays with the manufacturer. We set it up on Windows 11, move the data and wipe the old drive.
- C. Mix: replace the office PCs now, cover the floor PCs with ESU until the equipment they run is upgraded.
Estimated prices per PC, valid to 31 Dec 2026 (flat, never hourly): ESU (option A): Microsoft's fee ($61 per PC if you enroll by 13 Oct 2026; $183 per PC if you join from 14 Oct 2026, years 1 and 2 together) plus $75 setup. New PC setup (options B and C): $150 (you buy the PC to our spec). Windows 11 upgrade of an eligible PC: $225. Clients on a managed agreement are already covered for ESU setup and Windows 11 upgrades; new PC setup is $100. Microsoft prices change; we confirm after a quick inventory.
Office 2021: switch to Microsoft 365 or the next Office
After support ends, Office 2021 keeps opening files but gets no security fixes, and Outlook and Word are common targets. Most businesses move to Microsoft 365 Apps on a subscription; some prefer a newer one-time-purchase version. We'll tell you which makes sense for each user and handle the switch without losing mail or settings.
Estimated prices, valid to 31 Dec 2026: Microsoft 365 Apps from $12 per user a month. If you'd rather own it, you buy the Office 2024 licence and we install it for $75 per PC.
Server 2016: plan now, not in January
Servers take longer to replace than PCs: the ERP vendor has to agree, data has to move, and it needs a weekend. If you have a 2016 server, now is the time to decide between a new server, moving to the cloud, or paying for extended updates.
Moving a server is also the moment to check your backup and disaster recovery.
Not sure what you're running?
We'll take a quick inventory and give you one page listing every Windows 10, Office 2021 and Server 2016 machine, with options and prices.