IT security announcements
End of support for Windows 10 / Office 2016 / Office 2019
On 14 October 2025, Microsoft will discontinue support for various Microsoft products (including Windows 10). These will therefore no longer receive updates and may therefore no longer be operated in the university network without individual security considerations and appropriate protective measures.
In concrete terms, this means:
- There are no more security updates / hotfixes for the affected products. Security vulnerabilities therefore remain unpatched. Affected systems therefore become easy prey for attackers.
- User software, system-related software and drivers for these products are also no longer updated, meaning that these also become gateways for attackers.
- It is therefore foreseeable that attackers will increasingly target these vulnerable systems.
Affected operating systems / products include:
- Windows 10
- Office 2016
- Office 2019
Affected end devices must be updated to a supported version:
- Windows 10 Enterprise & Education -> Upgrade to Windows 11 or new hardware
- Windows 10 Home & Pro -> Upgrade to Windows 11 or new hardware
- Windows 11 version 22H2 -> Upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2
- Office 2016 & 2019 -> Office 365
Detailed information on the lifecycles of all Microsoft products can be found on the Microsoft Lifecycle website.
If an end device must continue to be operated for technical or organisational reasons despite the end of support, suitable protective measures must be taken in consultation with the local IT security officer. These protective measures must ensure that the end device poses no risk to the university network. Reasons for continued operation may include use as a measuring station computer or the use of specialised software.
Generic options for isolating end devices that can no longer be maintained from the university network can be found here.
