End of Life for SharePoint 2013, 2016 & 2019 - What to Do Next for a Secure Future!

SharePoint is a powerful tool for collaboration, document management, and content sharing, widely adopted by organizations for managing workflows and team collaboration. However, like all software products, SharePoint versions eventually reach their End of Life (EOL). If you're still using SharePoint 2013, 2016, or 2019, it’s essential to understand what this means for your organization and what actions you need to take.

In this guide, we’ll walk through What the End of Life for SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019 means, how it impacts your organization, and, most importantly, what to do next to ensure a seamless transition to the next version or platform.

What Does "End of Life" Mean for SharePoint?

When Microsoft announces the End of Life for a product, it means that the software will no longer receive official support or security updates. This includes:

• No more updates for bugs, vulnerabilities, or security issues.

• No more technical support from Microsoft or official channels.

• No more fixes for compatibility issues with newer technologies or integrations.

For SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019, these versions will continue to work, but using unsupported versions exposes your organization to a variety of risks, such as:

1. Security vulnerabilities: Without patches, your environment becomes more susceptible to breaches and exploits.

2. Compliance issues: Many industries have strict compliance requirements. Using outdated software could put you out of compliance with regulations.

3. Operational inefficiencies: As newer technologies emerge, older versions may struggle to integrate with modern applications, resulting in operational disruption.

The end of life for SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019 doesn’t mean the software will stop functioning, but it does mean you will be on your own when it comes to fixing any future issues that arise.

Why Is End of Life Important for Your Organization?

You might wonder: Why should I care if SharePoint 2013, 2016, or 2019 reaches End of Life? The simple answer is security and compatibility. As Microsoft discontinues support for these versions, you are at risk of:

• Security risks: Without security updates, your data becomes more vulnerable to cyber threats and breaches.

• Lost productivity: Older systems may become slow and unresponsive, which could hinder your team’s productivity.

• Missed features: Newer versions of SharePoint (and Microsoft 365) offer advanced features that your organization might be missing out on by sticking to outdated software.

Understanding What to Do Next is key to avoiding these issues and ensuring your environment remains secure, functional, and ready for the future.

What to Do Next? Upgrade or Migrate!

Now that you know the risks of continuing to use SharePoint 2013, 2016, or 2019 beyond their support lifecycle, the next logical question is: What are my options?

There are two main options available for you:

1. Upgrade to SharePoint 2019 or SharePoint Subscription Edition (SSE): If you're using SharePoint 2013 or 2016, upgrading to SharePoint 2019 might seem like a simple solution. However, this is a short-term fix, as SharePoint 2019 will also eventually reach its end of life. Consider planning for a more long-term solution, such as migrating to Microsoft 365.

2. Migrate to Microsoft 365 SharePoint Online: The more future-proof solution is to migrate your SharePoint infrastructure to Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online). With SharePoint Online, you’ll have access to continuous updates, enhanced collaboration tools, better security features, and cloud-based flexibility. Microsoft 365 also integrates with a host of other cloud-based applications, making it easier for your organization to scale.

How to Migrate from SharePoint 2013/2016/2019 to SharePoint Online: A Step-by-Step Guide!

Migrating from an older version of SharePoint to SharePoint Online requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a step-by-step process:

Step 1: Assess Your Current Environment

1. Inventory Your SharePoint Content: Begin by taking an inventory of all the content stored in your SharePoint environment. This includes sites, documents, lists, and workflows.

2. Identify Customizations: Review any customizations (e.g., custom web parts, workflows, or integrations) to determine how they will be handled in the migration process. Some custom features may need to be rebuilt in SharePoint Online.

3. Evaluate User Permissions: Review user permissions and security settings. Ensure that your migration preserves access control, ensuring that users retain appropriate access in the new environment.

Step 2: Prepare for Migration

1. Choose the Right Migration Tool: While SharePoint provides built-in migration tools, using the right migration tool can simplify the process, especially for large-scale migrations. One such tool is SysTools SharePoint Online Migration Tool, which enables a smooth transition between two SharePoint Online while ensuring that all metadata, permissions, and version history are preserved.

2. Plan Your Migration Phases: Depending on the size of your SharePoint environment, you may need to break the migration process into phases. Prioritize mission-critical data and test the migration process with a subset of data first.

Step 3: Execute the Migration

1. Migrate Content: Using your migration tool, begin migrating your content to SharePoint Online. The process may take some time depending on the amount of data being moved.

2. Test and Validate: After the migration, conduct thorough testing to ensure all content is intact and accessible. Verify that permissions, workflows, and integrations work as expected.

3. Perform Final Cleanup: Once you’ve validated the migration, perform the final cleanup in your old SharePoint environment. Ensure that all necessary content has been moved to SharePoint Online and delete any redundant or unnecessary data.

Step 4: Training and Adoption

1. User Training: SharePoint Online offers a variety of new features that may be unfamiliar to your users. Conduct training sessions to help users transition smoothly to the new environment.

2. Ongoing Support: Provide ongoing support and resources to help users adopt SharePoint Online effectively.

Troubleshooting Common Migration Issues

While migrating from SharePoint 2013/2016/2019 to SharePoint Online is generally straightforward, there are some common issues you may face. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

1. Permissions Not Migrating Properly: Ensure that user permissions and access rights are correctly mapped during the migration. Tools like the specified smart solution ensure permissions are transferred accurately, but manual intervention may be required for complex permission structures.

2. Broken Workflows: Some older workflows created in SharePoint 2013/2016/2019 may not migrate properly to SharePoint Online. Consider recreating or modifying these workflows using Power Automate in SharePoint Online.

3. Large File Sizes: SharePoint Online has certain file size limits (up to 250 GB per file in SharePoint Online). Ensure that any large files are properly segmented or optimized before migration.

FAQs: End of Life for SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019

Q1: What happens if I continue using SharePoint 2013, 2016, or 2019 after their End of Life? After the EOL date, you will no longer receive security updates or technical support from Microsoft. This leaves your system vulnerable to security risks and potential compatibility issues.

Q2: Can I still access my data after SharePoint 2013/2016/2019 reaches the End of Life?

Yes, your data will still be accessible, but you will no longer receive support or patches for the software. It’s highly recommended to upgrade or migrate to SharePoint Online to avoid risks.

Q3: How do I migrate from SharePoint 2013/2016/2019 to SharePoint Online?

You can use automated migration tools like SysTools Migration Tool to facilitate the migration process, ensuring all content, permissions, and workflows are preserved during the transition.

Q4: Can I skip SharePoint 2019 and move directly to SharePoint Online?

Yes, skipping SharePoint 2019 and moving directly to SharePoint Online is a viable option. This can help future-proof your organization and provide access to cloud-based features and continuous updates.

Conclusion

As Microsoft phases out support for SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019, it’s essential for organizations to take proactive steps and migrate to a more secure, feature-rich platform like SharePoint Online. Whether you choose to upgrade to SharePoint 2019 temporarily or make the leap to SharePoint Online, understanding what to do next will help you ensure a smooth, secure transition and protect your data and systems in the long run.

Migrations can be complex, but with the right planning, tools, and guidance, you can minimize disruption and take full advantage of SharePoint’s modern capabilities.