How to Navigate SharePoint 2016 and 2019 End of Life

SharePoint 2016 and 2019 have reached end of life on July 14, 2026, the date Microsoft stopped extended support for both versions. If your organization is still running either platform, you are now operating without Microsoft’s security patches, bug fixes, or technical support.

This guide covers what end of life means now that it’s in effect, what risks are already active, and the realistic path forward from here.

Key Takeaways:

  • SharePoint 2016 and 2019 both hit end of life on July 14, 2026. No more patches or support
  • No paid extended support exists for either version.
  • Unpatched vulnerabilities now mean real security complaints and insurance risks.
  • Two paths forward: upgrade to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition or migrate to SharePoint Online.

What Does SharePoint 2016 and 2019 End of Life Mean?

End of life, in Microsoft’s lifecycle terms, marks the date when Extended Support ends. Up to that point, Microsoft provides security only updates even after future development stops. But once extended support stops, that safety net is gone.

This essentially means Microsoft stops releasing critical security patches, bug fixes, paid or even free technical support. Both SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019 hit this date on the same deadline of July 14th, 2026. That’s confirmed on Microsoft’s own lifecycle pages for SharePoint 2016 and 2019.

Key Dates for SharePoint 2016 and 2019

Milestones SharePoint Server 2016 SharePoint Server 2019
Mainstream support ended July 13, 2021 January 9, 2024
Extended support ended (end of life) July 14, 2026 July 14, 2026
Paid extended security updates available Not offered Not offered
Support successor SharePoint Server Subscription Edition or SharePoint Online SharePoint Server Subscription Edition or SharePoint Online

SharePoint Server 2016 End of Life: Where Things Stand Now

SharePoint 2016 end of life has brought an end to a full 10-year life cycle: 5 years of mainstream support followed by 5 years of security-only updates.

Now that extended support has ended, farms that are still running SharePoint 2016 can continue to function but without security patches from Microsoft.

For organizations that are still on SharePoint 2016:

  • There will be no new security patches for vulnerabilities discovered from this point onwards.
  • No SharePoint 2016 end of life support from Microsoft, free or paid.
  • Passing audits such as HIPAA, SOC 2 Type, and GDPR can become increasingly difficult.
  • Non-compliance with cyber insurance providers that exclude claims tied to unsupported software.
  • Non-compatibility with third-party integrations that drop support for the version

SharePoint Server 2019 End of Life: Where Things Stand Now

SharePoint 2019 end of life landed on the same date as SharePoint 2016, even though it was launched three years later and its mainstream support ended in January 2024.

Organizations who moved from 2016 to 2019 were hit the hardest as this was the exact deadline they were trying to outrun.

From security, compliance, and support standpoint, it is in the same position as SharePoint 2016.

SharePoint 2016 and 2019 Alternatives/Successor Options

Organizations still running SharePoint 2016 or 2019 past the deadline generally have two paths forward.

Options What it Involves Best For
Upgrade to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition. Stay on premises, move to Microsoft’s current on-prem version under the modern lifecycle policy. Organizations with regulatory or infrastructure reasons to remain on premises.
Migrate to SharePoint Online. Move content and metadata to Microsoft 365’s cloud-based SharePoint. Organizations ready to reduce on-prem maintenance and modernize collaboration

If your plan is to migrate to SharePoint Online, CloudFuze supports both paths, SharePoint 2016 and SharePoint 2019 migration to SharePoint Online.

We have 12+ years of proven expertise in on-prem to cloud migrations, including SharePoint on-prem to SharePoint Online migration. If you are interested in how our tool works, we’d be happy to show you a demo. Contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does SharePoint 2016 officially reach end of life?

SharePoint Server 2016 reached end of life on July 14th, 2036, when extended support ended.

2. When does SharePoint 2019 reach its end of life?

SharePoint Server 2019 reached end of life on the same date as SharePoint 2016, July 14, 2026, despite having launched three years later.

3. What is the risk of continuing to use SharePoint 2016 and 2019 after end of life?

The main risks are unpatched security vulnerabilities, compliance and audit failures under frameworks like SOC 2, and potential exclusions from cyber insurance coverage tied to unsupported software.

4. What are the best alternatives to SharePoint 2016 and 2019 for document management?

SharePoint Online is the most natural alternative since it retains familiar SharePoint architecture while removing on-premises lifecycle and maintenance requirements.

5. Which companies provide migration services from SharePoint 2016 and 2019 to new platforms?

Several vendors, including CloudFuze, offer migration tooling and services for moving users, files, folders, and metadata from SharePoint 2016 and 2019 to SharePoint Online.

About the Author: Pankaj Rai

Pankaj Rai, at CloudFuze, constantly seeks to help IT managers, business leaders, and decision-makers access insights critical to strategizing and making informed decisions on AI-ready cloud migrations and SaaS and AI governance.