Business Central End of Support: Lifecycle Dates for Every Version

Every Business Central release has a limited support window, and running past it means no more security updates. This is the complete Business Central end of support reference – release dates, support end dates, and an instant checker that tells you whether your version is still supported, ending soon, or already out of support. Pick your version below to see its status and your recommended next step.

Is my version still supported? — instant checker

Select the version you’re running. The checker reads Microsoft’s lifecycle rules and tells you whether you’re fully supported, on borrowed time, or already out of support.

What “supported” actually means for you

Microsoft’s lifecycle language is easy to misread. Here’s what each phase means in practice — and why “still runs fine” is not the same as “still supported.”

Modern Lifecycle Policy (Business Central v14+)

Every Business Central release gets about 18 months of support: new features and fixes early on, then security and regulatory updates through the end of the window. Miss the window and you stop getting security patches. Because a new version ships every six months, staying supported means updating regularly rather than sitting on one release for years.

Fixed Lifecycle Policy (Dynamics NAV)

NAV versions received 5 years of mainstream support (features, fixes, security) followed by 5 years of extended support (security updates only). Nearly all NAV versions are now past mainstream, and the newest ones are in their final extended-support stretch. Extended support is meant as runway to plan a move, not a permanent home.

Business Central support at a glance

Color shows status today: green is comfortably supported, amber is ending soon, red is out of support.

Business Central end of support dates (all versions)

Dates follow Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle 18-month rule (v14+ shown per policy). “~” marks dates derived from the standard rule; confirm exact dates on Microsoft Learn. Shown in Pacific Time.

Dynamics NAV end of support dates

Out of support? Here’s your next step

If the checker flagged your version as ending soon or out of support, the fix is to upgrade to a current release. Two resources make that straightforward:

Use the upgrade path guide and calculator to map the exact route from your version to the latest — including the mandatory v14 and v25 stepping stones. Then grab the installer you need from the Business Central download version list. For the background and feature history of each release, see the full Dynamics NAV versions list.

Frequently asked questions

How long is each Business Central version supported?

Business Central versions from v14 onward follow the Modern Lifecycle Policy and are supported for roughly 18 months from release. Because a new version ships every six months, staying supported means updating regularly rather than staying on one release.

How do I know which Business Central version I’m running?

In Business Central, open Help & Support (the question mark) and look under “Troubleshooting” or “About” — the platform and application version numbers are listed there. Match the application version to this list to see your support status.

Is Dynamics NAV still supported?

Most NAV versions are past mainstream support; the newest few (NAV 2016, 2017, 2018) are in their final extended-support phase, which provides security updates only. Extended support is meant as time to plan a migration, not a permanent state.

What happens when my version goes out of support?

The software keeps running, but Microsoft stops issuing security patches and fixes. That creates compliance exposure (many standards require supported software) and cybersecurity risk from unpatched vulnerabilities. Upgrading is the remedy.

What are the v14 and v25 stepping-stone versions?

They’re mandatory pivot points in a staged upgrade. Coming from an old NAV or BC version, you must pass through v14, and to reach v26 or later you must also pass through v25 — even if those versions are themselves out of support as a live system. See the upgrade path guide for the full routing.

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