Microsoft to Disable Office 2019 for Mac Next Month Due to Certificate Expiration
Microsoft will disable editing functionality in Office 2019 for Mac starting July 13 when a digital license certificate expires, forcing users to switch to Office 2024 or Microsoft 365. The company had previously promised Office 2019 apps would "continue to function" after ending support in October 2023, but quietly removed that guarantee last month. This affects Mac users who cannot update to newer versions and contradicts Microsoft's earlier commitment to the software's continued usability.
Starting July 13, Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac will enter "reduced functionality mode," allowing users only to open and print files while blocking editing, saving, and creation of new documents. The change stems from an expiring digital license certificate that Microsoft is not renewing. This impacts users of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on Mac, as well as some Microsoft 365 subscribers on iOS and iPad devices. Microsoft ended official support for Office 2019 in October 2023 and cannot update the software to resolve the certificate issue. Users can resolve the problem by upgrading to Office 2024, subscribing to Microsoft 365, or using free web-based versions of Office apps. However, Microsoft's handling of this transition has drawn criticism because the company previously assured users that Office 2019 apps would "continue to function" despite ending support—a promise it quietly removed from its documentation last month.
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