SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019 End-Of-Life: Why Haven’t You Moved Your Business Online?
Microsoft pulls the plug on SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019 support in July. For business leaders who haven’t delivered their SharePoint Online migration already, this is more than an IT deadline; it’s a wake-up call. Why are we still on-premise at all?
Imagine your landlord announcing they’re stopping security, maintenance, and building support in six months, but your business can remain in the office if you wish. No locks on the doors, no repairs when things fail, no help when things go wrong. You’d be looking for new premises straight away.
That’s exactly what’s happening with SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019. On 14 July 2026, these platforms reach end-of-life, and Microsoft stops support for good – no security patches, no technical assistance, and a risk profile that escalates daily.
If this applies to your organisation, you should be asking “What are the obstacles that need to be addressed to move online immediately?”
The Legacy System Liability
As a business leader, it’s your job to shield your organisation from unnecessary risk. If you continue running legacy SharePoint versions, you’ll create risk by exposing your operations to three critical challenges post 14 July:
Security
Vulnerabilities
Without regular patches, you’re leaving the door wide open to cybercriminals. Throughout 2025, state-backed hackers, collectively dubbed “ToolShell”, actively exploited on-premise SharePoint vulnerabilities, with the campaign compromising at least 148 organisations worldwide and deploying Warlock ransomware in some cases.
Mounting Technical
Debt
Delaying your migration doesn’t make this problem go away. Custom integrations will continue to be built on outdated foundations, workflows become more dependent on features Microsoft is retiring, and the eventual transition becomes progressively more complex, risky, and expensive.
Feature
Deprecation
While 14 July means end-of-life for SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019, critical functionality begins disappearing before then. SharePoint Add-Ins and ACS authentication will stop working across all tenants on 2 April 2026. If your custom workflows rely on these – such as automated document approval processes, purchase order routing systems, or HR onboarding sequences – they’ll break overnight, bringing business-critical processes to a halt.
Cloud Migration: Competitive Advantage Not Just Compliance
As 14 July rapidly approaches, you can’t afford to wonder if you should migrate to SharePoint Online; you should already be doing something about it. Moving from on-premise to the cloud fundamentally changes how your organisation works with technology – from increasing efficiency and securing information to offering scalability.
This isn’t about ticking a compliance box; it’s about gaining a competitive advantage.
Zero maintenance
Once you’ve migrated, Microsoft handles everything automatically. No more emergency patching, no more time-consuming server updates, no more budgeting for hardware refreshes. Your team gets new SharePoint features and security improvements, without lifting a finger.
Scalability without the cost
You can increase storage, add users, and scale up during peak periods without delay. No hardware procurement cycles or capital approval processes. You pay for what you use, when you use it.
Modern collaboration tools
SharePoint Online integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Power Platform, and the entire Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Your users benefit from modern collaboration tools that eliminate the friction created by on-premise limitations.
Predictable costs
Unpredictable capital expenditure cycles are transformed into predictable monthly operational costs. No more surprise hardware failures, emergency server replacements, or unplanned infrastructure upgrades. You know exactly what you’ll pay each month, simplifying budgeting.
Enhanced security & compliance
SharePoint Online includes built-in security controls that would be costly to replicate on-premise: advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, multi-factor authentication, and compliance tools for GDPR, ISO 27001, and industry-specific regulations. IT teams spend less time firefighting and more time enabling the business.
Why Are You Still On-premise?
The looming SharePoint end-of-life deadline raises a question that extends beyond one platform: why are so many organisations still depending on legacy infrastructure that accumulates risk when cloud alternatives deliver better security, lower costs, and greater agility?
Don’t waste more time waiting to unlock the operational advantages of the cloud, while your competitors pull further ahead. Treat your SharePoint Online migration as a strategic upgrade that will fundamentally improve how you operate.
With the right partner, this doesn’t have to be the complex, risky, or time-consuming undertaking many fear. TDM Group specialises in managing these transitions for organisations like yours. We combine technical expertise and business understanding to ensure your migration becomes a managed strategic project rather than a disruptive emergency – data is transferred seamlessly, downtime is minimised, data integrity is preserved, and functionality is consistent.
Don’t Delay!
The clock is ticking on SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019. Don’t view this as another end-of-life deadline that becomes an isolated IT project. Use it as your opportunity to start solving the broader legacy infrastructure problem that’s been holding your organisation back. A successful migration to SharePoint Online demonstrates what’s possible and creates a blueprint for modernising the rest of your on-premise estate.