Check your version of Microsoft Office/Outlook: End of connectivity for older versions

Published on October 22, 2021
Information Technology
Computer software and applications
Person checking email on laptop.
Microsoft will no longer be supporting Microsoft Office/Outlook 2016 or earlier versions. These older versions of Outlook and Office will no longer be fully compatible and will be unable to connect with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 services. To avoid disruptions to service, plan to upgrade your Microsoft applications by November 1, 2021.

What will change?

For older versions of Outlook, you will be unable to send/receive emails. However, users with these versions can continue to access emails via Outlook on the Web.

For all other Office applications, you may experience Microsoft connection issues, reduced performance, reliability, and increased security risks. If you are running these earlier versions, you should plan to upgrade to the latest available Microsoft 365 services.

How do I prepare?

  1. Check your Outlook version and/or Office application to see if this change impacts you.

  2. If your version is 2019 or newer, you are not affected by this change. Supported versions will continue to connect to Microsoft 365 services as expected.

If your version is 2016 or older

Eligible users should upgrade to the supported versions of Office and Microsoft 365 Apps. Visit the Microsoft subscriptions page for detailed information about products and licenses available to you.

If you are ineligible and wish to continue use of the affected applications, you may purchase Microsoft 365 from a retail store or online. Read more about your Microsoft 365 options.