The future is in the cloud, right? Not necessarily. For many enterprises, regulatory, security, or customization needs keep SharePoint firmly on-premises. So, if yours is one of the organizations still using SharePoint 2016 and 2019, time is ticking to find an alternative solution.
Why? Because Microsoft has announced the end-of-life timelines for both releases and once mainstream and extended support ends, these platforms will no longer receive security updates, patches, or fixes. That leaves organizations exposed to risks ranging from compliance breaches to operational disruption.
So, if your organization’s future is on-premises, rather than SharePoint Online, what are your options?
Read on to find out.
Understanding end of life and extended support
Here are the dates you need to know if you’re yet to migrate from SharePoint 2016/2019. Although mainstream support for both versions has already ended, extended support is still in place for a limited time.
SharePoint Server 2016: Mainstream support ended July 13, 2021; extended support ends July 14, 2026.
SharePoint Server 2019: Mainstream support ended January 9, 2024; extended support ends July 14, 2026.
Once extended support ends, Microsoft will stop releasing security patches and fixes. Running business-critical systems without them isn’t just an IT problem, it’s a board-level risk.
The risks of doing nothing
For CTOs, the risks go well beyond “old tech”. Failure to act now – let’s face it, migrations don’t happen overnight – could expose your organization to:
Cyberattacks: unsupported software is a target for hackers.
Compliance gaps: regulated industries can’t afford to run systems without security updates.
Compatibility challenges: legacy versions won’t keep pace with updates to services like Microsoft Teams and Power Platform.
Increased cost: more time and budget spent on workarounds and maintenance.
Why on-premises is still a thing
Whilst migrating to SharePoint Online is the best solution for many organizations, reasons for keeping workloads on premises include:
Regulatory requirements – e.g. public sector, healthcare, and defence with strict data residency rules.
Data sovereignty concerns – when data must be kept within a specific jurisdiction.
Need for continuous access – 24/7 access cannot be guaranteed if your internet connection goes down.
Greater control – on-premises software gives organizations full control over data, infrastructure, and customization.
For these organizations, moving online isn’t a realistic strategy. They need a supported, secure, and future-proof on-premises option.
The answer? SharePoint Subscription Edition
SharePoint Subscription Edition (SE) is Microsoft’s on-premises version of SharePoint, providing continuous updates, rather than the traditional major version releases.
Key SE benefits include:
Security and compliance
Always supported with the latest patches.
Modern security standards are built in (TLS 1.3, OpenID Connect, modern auth).
Easier to meet industry and regulatory compliance requirements.
Modern user experience
Brings in many of the “modern UI” elements from SharePoint Online.
Faster page loads and simplified navigation.
Improved accessibility and device responsiveness.
Hybrid flexibility
Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 services (Teams, OneDrive, Viva).
Ideal for hybrid environments where some workloads stay on-prem while others move to the cloud.
Infrastructure efficiency
Support for modern Windows Server and SQL Server versions.
Reduced downtime with improved upgrade/migration paths.
Better performance and scalability.
FAQs for IT Leaders on SharePoint 2016/2019 End of Life
Q: What does “end of life” actually mean for SharePoint 2016/2019?
A: It means no more security updates, patches, or bug fixes from Microsoft once extended support ends. Running these versions beyond their end date exposes your organization to compliance and security risks.
Q: Can’t we just keep using SharePoint 2016/2019 as they are?
A: You could but that would mean running unsupported software, making your organization a target for cyberattacks, creating compliance issues, and increasing long-term maintenance costs.
Q: Why not just move everything to SharePoint Online?
A: For many organizations, that’s the best path. But some need to stay on-premises due to regulatory requirements, data sovereignty rules, or complex customizations. That’s where SharePoint Subscription Edition provides a modern, supported alternative.
Q: What is SharePoint Subscription Edition and why is it an option for on-premises environments?
A: Sharepoint Subscription Edition is Microsoft’s continuously updated on-premises release. It eliminates the old upgrade cycle, providing modern features, and keeping you supported with regular patches. It’s the future for organizations that need to stay on-premises or hybrid.
How Cloudwell can help
The Cloudwell team is experienced in helping enterprise organizations navigate complex migrations, including cloud, on-premises and hybrid migrations.
SharePoint end of life doesn’t have to mean business disruption. With the right plan in place, it’s an opportunity to modernize your on-premises environment while reducing risk.
Reach out to Cloudwell today about your SharePoint 2016/2019 end-of-life strategy.