#Technology Tuesday - How to prepare yourself before the Office 2019 (Cornflakes) change hits you

You know that moment when you see the first half of the news headline and start rejoicing before reading the second half and realise that all your rejoicing was for nothing. I know that feeling more than you know especially when it comes to announcement of new releases only to see the caveat at the end of the line. It's the definition of sweetbitter (you know, when the good news comes before the bad news), I know you've heard bittersweet but reverse is the case here. It shows how I felt on all your behalfs.

Forgive me, I didn't leave my manners at home. I just was overtaken by this news. So...good morning to you all and hope you have all been enjoying the new year changes. If you have not, just remember this: the pain of same is greater than the pain of change.

I know many of you are very comfortable with the previous versions of Microsoft Client Operating System you are using at the moment, but Windows 10 is kind of taking over whether you like it or not. You see, news about the upcoming Microsoft Office 2019 release may force your hand.

When the Microsoft Office 2019 release comes out later this year, Microsoft will support it only on Windows 10, the company said early this month. Organizations that want support for the new version of Office on Windows 7 or 8.1 must buy a subscription to Office 365. These moves will push IT to migrate to Windows 10 and ensure that any holdouts pay up for Office 365.

The Microsoft Office 2019 release will take place in the second half of this year, and extended support for Windows 7 ends in January 2020. Microsoft also changed its support model for the Microsoft Office 2019 release, offering five years of mainstream support and just two years of extended support, instead of the usual five. The company did not say whether it will offer another version of the suite after the Microsoft Office 2019 release.

The goal of the support changes is to ensure that Microsoft software gets updates at a more modern pace to address continuous security, the company said. Additionally, Microsoft said it will no longer support Office 365 ProPlus for organizations on Windows 8.1 or older, or Windows Server 2016 or older, starting in January 2020. The company also extended support for Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions 1607, 1703 and 1709 by another six months.

While I still share your surprise, my advice to you is to get yourself fully prepared for all the changes before it hits you bad. Well, it's time to draw the curtains till we meet next week! 😊

Have a productive day ahead!