If you’re still running Windows 11 24H2, Office 2021, or SQL Server 2016, mark your calendar: Microsoft will end support or servicing for all of them this year, and the list doesn’t stop there.
Microsoft’s official product lifecycle page shows more than 50 products, versions, and Azure services losing support in 2026. While 2025 was defined by the singular, massive scale of the Windows 10 shutdown, 2026 introduces a heavier infrastructure load spread across servers, databases, and cloud services.
Once a product reaches its end-of-support date, Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes, technical support, and online technical content updates. The software will continue to work, but any newly discovered vulnerabilities will no longer receive patches unless Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
Among the most significant deadlines are Windows 11 version 24H2 for Home and Pro users, Office 2021, SQL Server 2016, SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019, and Windows Server 2012’s final year of ESU coverage.
Consumer products face October deadline
October will be the busiest month for mainstream users.
Microsoft confirmed that Office 2021, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, Publisher, Project, and Visio, will retire on October 13, 2026. The same date also marks the end of support for Office LTSC 2021 editions.
Windows 11 Home and Pro version 24H2 will also reach the end of servicing on October 13, while Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise version 23H2 will follow on November 10.
Microsoft’s lifecycle page also shows that Windows 10 2016 LTSB, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2016, and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Extended Security Updates Year 3 will all reach their support deadlines in October.
Businesses face server and database upgrades
For enterprise customers, July brings some of the year’s biggest infrastructure deadlines.
SQL Server 2016 reaches end of support on July 14, 2026, alongside SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019, Project Server 2016 and 2019, and several older Microsoft business products.
Organizations running Dynamics CRM 2016, Dynamics GP 2016, Dynamics NAV 2016, InfoPath 2013, SharePoint Designer 2013, and older virtualization tools will also see support end in 2026. Meanwhile, .NET 8, .NET 9, and PowerShell 7.4 will reach the end of servicing on November 10.
Azure services are also being retired
Microsoft’s retirement schedule extends beyond Windows and Office.
Several Azure AI and cloud services, including Azure Anomaly Detector, Azure Metrics Advisor, Azure Personalizer, Azure API for FHIR, Azure FXT Edge Filer, older Computer Vision APIs, Azure Functions 1.0, Azure Virtual Desktop (Classic), and multiple Azure Maps services, will be retired between March and November 2026.
Developers using these services will need to migrate to Microsoft’s newer Azure offerings before the retirement dates.
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What organizations should do next?
For home users, the biggest decision will likely be upgrading from Office 2021 or moving to a Microsoft 365 subscription after support ends.
Businesses face broader planning challenges. Legacy databases, collaboration platforms, and Windows Server deployments often support critical workloads, making upgrades more complex than installing a new desktop application. Organizations may also need to assess compliance requirements, application compatibility, and migration timelines before deadlines arrive.
Microsoft continues to offer Extended Security Updates for some products, but these programs generally provide only critical security fixes rather than feature updates or full product support.
Looking beyond the deadlines
Microsoft’s 2026 roadmap shows the company’s long-term direction clearly. The products losing support are largely older perpetual software, legacy server platforms, and standalone Azure services, while Microsoft’s investment continues to center on subscription software, cloud infrastructure, and AI-powered services.
For consumers, the immediate impact may simply be deciding when to upgrade Windows or Office. For businesses, however, delaying migrations can become more expensive over time as unsupported systems introduce security, compliance, and operational risks. Organizations that start planning early are more likely to avoid rushed upgrades, unexpected downtime, and higher support costs once these deadlines arrive.
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