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Upcoming Office 2019 will require Windows 10

Office 2019 (arriving in the second half of 2018) will include the usual Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook client apps, alongside server versions of Exchange, SharePoint, and Skype for Business. Microsoft is planning to release preview copies of Office 2019 in the middle of 2018, and the software is primarily designed for organizations that aren’t using the cloud Office 365 versions.

Office 2019 will include better IT capabilities for businesses that aren’t using Office 365, and new ink features like pressure sensitivity, tilt effects, and ink replay. Excel will also include new formulas and charts for data analysis, and PowerPoint will pick up the morph and zoom animation features that Office 365 customers are currently taking advantage of.

Windows Requirements

One big change on this release is that it will ONLY work on Windows 10. If you are still running Windows 7 or 8 then the current 2016 version is the most up to date you are going to get.

In aditon, business users who currently run Windows 10 LTSC (previously LTSB) will no longer be able to run Office 365 ProPlus. However this only really affects large organisations. All the more usual home and pro versions of Windows 10 will still support all the Office versions.

Support

Support for Office 2019 will also be shorter than usual. As Redmond’s explained, “In the past, perpetual versions of Office were released under the Microsoft Fixed Lifecycle Policy, with a term of 5 years of standard support and 5 years of extended support.”

Office 2019 will get the usual period of standard support, but just two years of extended support. That will mean the suite’s death day is October 10th, 2025. Which is the same day on which Microsoft will end extended support for Office 2016.

Microsoft said this is because “As the pace of change accelerates, it has become imperative to move our software to a more modern cadence.”

What if you are still on Windows 7 or 8?

Well Microsoft have made no secret of wanting to get everyone on to Windows 10. The Windows software has changed direction very quickly in recent years, more than ever before, in an attempt to get Microsoft back up at the top of the market - and it does seem to be working. The rate of change is a requirement of todays world and its many security threats.

There is no mad rush to upgrade - after all Office 2016 is still perfectly fine. However the is just one of many planned changes that will make it more awkward for users of Windows versions prior to 10. The best advice is to look at getting upgraded sooner rather than later.

Help to Upgrade

Computer FX can get you upgraded with the minimal of fuss. Upgrading is an excelent way to get your computer running better and keep you safe online. Call for a no oblication chat on 01653 694500 or drop us an email: sales@computerfx.co.uk

You can see all the available Office packages here: https://computerfx.co.uk/computer-services/office.php