Microsoft Office remains the most widely used productivity suite in the world, and every new version brings with it enhancements, features, and expectations. If you're using Windows 10 Professional + MS Office 2019 Pro Plus or thinking about upgrading from Office 2016, this comparison is for you.
Despite their similar look and feel at first glance, Office 2019 Pro Plus and Office 2016 diverge more than many users realize-especially when it comes to features, performance, and long-term support. But not everything is a drastic change, and in some cases, what you don't gain may influence whether upgrading is necessary.
This article takes a detailed, side-by-side look at what Office 2019 offers over Office 2016-and what remains the same.
Introduction: Understanding the Versions
Both Office 2016 and 2019 are perpetual license versions, meaning once you buy them, you own them outright with no subscription fees. However, each comes from a different product generation with different under-the-hood technologies.
Here's how they line up:
| Feature | Office 2016 | Office 2019 Pro Plus |
| Release Year | 2015 | 2018 |
| Support End | October 2025 | October 2025 |
| Updates | Security only | Security only |
| AI features | None | Limited |
| Cloud tools | Basic | Enhanced |
| User interface | Classic Ribbon | Slightly Modernized |
1. application enhancements: What You Actually Get
While both versions include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher (in Pro Plus editions), Office 2019 introduces several app-specific improvements not found in Office 2016.
Word 2019
- Focus ModeClears distractions by hiding toolbars and menus.
- Translator toolTranslate entire sections or words within documents.
- Learning toolsAdjustable page color, spacing, and read-aloud support.
Excel 2019
- New formulas/functions: TEXTJOIN, IFS, SWITCH.
- PowerQuery and PowerPivot improvements.
- Map and Funnel charts.
- Insert SVG images and icons for dynamic visuals.
PowerPoint 2019
- Morph transitionSmooth movement between slides for a cinematic feel.
- Zoom featureCreate interactive slide summaries.
- 4K video export and SVG support.
Outlook 2019
- Focused InboxSeparates important emails from others.
- Updated contact cards, @mentions, and travel summary cards.
- Office 365 Group support (even without full subscription).
Verdict:
Office 2019 brings meaningful, workflow-enhancing features across all core apps. Office 2016 retains a more stripped-down experience, but for everyday users, it's still serviceable.
2. performance on Windows 10: Speed, Stability, and Compatibility
When paired with Windows 10 Professional + MS Office 2019 Pro PlusOffice 2019 runs smoother, especially on modern hardware with SSDs and higher RAM.
Key Observations:
- Startup times are slightly quicker with Office 2019.
- File saving and retrieval is better integrated with OneDrive and SharePoint.
- Office 2019 benefits from Windows 10 optimization, especially for newer CPUs and GPU acceleration.
On older machines, however, Office 2016 may actually feel marginally lighter, especially with smaller installation size and fewer visual enhancements.
3. cloud integration and collaboration
While neither Office 2016 nor Office 2019 offers real-time collaboration like Microsoft 365, Office 2019 closes some of the gap.
What You Gain in Office 2019:
- One-click save to OneDrive or SharePoint.
- File version history through OneDrive.
- Better integration with Windows 10's Activity Timeline.
What You Don't:
- Real-time co-authoring is not available unless you use the subscription-based Microsoft 365.
- Some online AI-based tools (like Designer in PowerPoint) are still exclusive to the cloud version.
Office 2016, in contrast, requires more manual steps for cloud saving and has no support for some newer collaborative features.
4. interface and user experience
Both Office 2016 and Office 2019 maintain the classic Ribbon interface, but the 2019 version introduces small aesthetic tweaks.
Office 2019 UI highlights:
- More neutral theme colors.
- Fluent Design shadows and smoother UI animation.
- Support for Dark Mode when paired with Windows 10.
The changes are subtle but feel more polished in everyday use. For long-time Office 2016 users, the interface will feel familiar, with no steep learning curve.
5. support and updates
Both versions receive security updatesbut not new features.
- Office 2016 support ends October 14, 2025.
- Office 2019 support also ends October 14, 2025, but it started later-so it's essentially "newer" and slightly more secure for longer-term planning.
If you're purchasing Office today, Office 2019 offers a longer usability horizon before becoming obsolete.
6 Compatibility with Modern File Formats and Systems
Office 2019 is slightly more compatible with newer file types, dynamic content, and evolving formats like:
- SVG graphics
- HEIC/HEIF images (when supported by Windows 10)
- Improved PDF export
It also interacts better with cloud-native features and newer Outlook Exchange protocols.
Office 2016 may encounter minor formatting issues with documents created in newer apps, especially with advanced charts, animations, or modern layouts.
7 AI and Productivity Features: A Limited Edge
Unlike Microsoft 365, neither Office 2016 nor Office 2019 features full-blown cloud AI. But Office 2019 includes:
- Basic AI grammar suggestions
- Ink-to-text conversion
- Excel Insights (to a limited degree)
These aren't game-changing, but they improve daily workflows slightly-especially in Word and Excel.
Office 2016 lacks these entirely.
8 Licensing and Activation
Both Office 2016 and 2019 offer volume licenses and one-time activations, but Office 2019 uses a more modern activation system.
Office 2019:
- Click-to-run installation only (no MSI).
- Activation tied to a Microsoft account or organization.
Office 2016:
- Available in both Click-to-Run and MSI formats.
- Easier for bulk local deployment in legacy systems.
If you're managing dozens of installs in an enterprise environment, Office 2016 may still have its use cases.
Upgrade or Not?
Here's the breakdown depending on your needs:
| User Type | Recommendation |
| Home User | Go with Office 2019 for better Windows 10 compatibility and modern features. |
| Business User | Office 2019 if you work with modern formats or need stronger Outlook capabilities. |
| Budget Conscious | Stick with Office 2016-it's still stable and supported until 2025. |
| Power Users | Office 2019 offers enough tools and enhancements to justify the switch. |
The move from Office 2016 to Office 2019 Pro Plus is evolutionary-not revolutionary. You won't get groundbreaking new features, but what you do gain is a smoother, more integrated experience with Windows 10 Professional + MS Office 2019 Pro Plus. Whether it's a refined user interface, enhanced cloud compatibility, or slightly improved app performance, Office 2019 makes working in the Windows ecosystem more fluid.
That said, Office 2016 remains a solid option, especially for users who don't require the latest tools or who already own a license.
If you want your system to feel modern without subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2019 is your best one-time investment today.
FAQs
- Can I install Office 2019 and Office 2016 on the same computer?
No, you cannot install both versions simultaneously as they share many core files and registry entries. - Is there a big performance difference between the two?
Not huge, but Office 2019 performs slightly better on newer hardware and integrates more cleanly with Windows 10. - Will Office 2016 stop working after 2025?
No, it will continue to function, but it won't receive any security or compatibility updates from Microsoft. - Does Office 2019 include Outlook?
Yes, Office 2019 Pro Plus includes Outlook, along with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher. - Are future features being added to Office 2019?
No. Office 2019 is feature-locked. Only security and stability updates are provided-no new tools or improvements.
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