Update & Upgrade Problems

How to Upgrade Office 2010 to Office 2019 on Windows Server 2016

Aamir Naveed AkramAamir Naveed Akram Nov 2, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to upgrade Microsoft Office 2010 to Office 2019 on Windows Server 2016 and requires guidance on licensing, remote deployment, and managing upgrade risks.

How to Upgrade Office 2010 to Office 2019 on Windows Server 2016
Product
Microsoft Office
Device & OS
Windows Server 2016
Scenario
Planning an enterprise IT upgrade from an older version of Office to a newer volume-licensed version in a Windows Server environment.
Observed behavior
Organizations must determine the correct volume licensing models, ensure compatibility for scripts and add-ins, and prepare for deployment on virtualized servers.
Before you start

Before proceeding with the upgrade, ensure you have an updated inventory of all active scripts, third-party add-ins, and a full backup of your server state.

Solution 1Recommended

Evaluate Volume Licensing and Remote Deployment Requirements

Determine the correct licensing model to ensure legal and technical compliance for your organization.

When deploying Office 2019 on a Windows Server, especially in a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or virtualized environment, standard retail licenses are not sufficient. You must evaluate specific volume licensing agreements.

1
Review licensing documentation

Navigate to the official Microsoft Office volume licensing comparison page to understand the requirements for enterprise and virtual server environments.

2
Contact a licensing representative

Consult Microsoft licensing support or an authorized Microsoft sales representative to verify the correct license model for your exact number of users and deployment architecture.

Evaluate Volume Licensing and Remote Deployment Requirements
Licensing Forum: For specific enterprise deployment architectures, you can also consult IT professionals on the Microsoft Q&A Server 2016 forum.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Simplify Your Enterprise Deployment with WPS Office

Avoid the complex volume licensing requirements and heavy resource usage of Microsoft Office. WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible, and lightweight productivity suite that is much easier to manage and deploy across your organization.

  1. 1. Download the installer: Get the official WPS Office standard installer from the WPS website.
  2. 2. Deploy on your server: Run the lightweight installation process on your Windows Server without worrying about complex RDS volume licensing constraints.
  3. 3. Seamlessly migrate: Open your existing Office 2010 documents directly in WPS Office with full formatting preserved.
Fully compatible with standard Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX)Lightweight installation requires fewer server resources and storage spaceNo complex volume licensing rules or expensive upgrade costs to manageFamiliar ribbon interface ensures zero learning curve for users migrating from Office 2010
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Office 2019 compatible with Windows Server 2016?

Yes, Office 2019 is supported on Windows Server 2016. However, if you are using Remote Desktop Services (RDS), you must ensure you have the appropriate volume licensing.

Will my Office 2010 add-ins and macros work in Office 2019?

Most standard VBA macros remain compatible. However, third-party add-ins or macros relying on older 32-bit specific features may require updates. Always test them in an isolated environment before a full upgrade.

Where can I get help with Microsoft Office volume licensing?

You can visit the Microsoft Office volume licensing comparison page, contact Microsoft licensing support directly, or reach out to an authorized Microsoft partner for deployment guidance tailored to your specific user count.