Office 2019 only for Windows 10

Microsoft has announced in a blog post that the next major version of its office software Office 2019 will be available only for devices with Windows 10 or future versions of Windows Server. Systems with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. have to do without this version. For Windows 8.1, no supported Office version will be available from October, although extended support itself will run until January 2023.

In addition, the software company points out that the new Office version will no longer offer installation via MSI files; a format that is particularly important for software distribution in large companies. Office 2019 is only provided as a click-to-run version. Only for installations on Windows Servers the MSI files should be available on demand.

In the same post, Microsoft has announced yet another restriction on the new Office. Accordingly, the time for the support of Office 2019 shortens. The mainstream support is supposed to take five years, as before, but the subsequent extended support will end after two years and not after the usual five years. The new office package will be released in the second half of this year.

But even users with Office 365 ProPlus need to be prepared for changes in support. Microsoft will continue to support Office ProPlus on Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) systems, which are still in maintenance and receiving updates. In addition, support for Office 365 ProPlus will end on January 14, 2020 for all versions of Windows 10 in the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), Windows Server 2016 and earlier, and for Windows 8.1.

Source: Microsoft