What This Means for Act! Users
If you’re running Act! v24 or earlier, your version is no longer supported under the Act! Support Obsolescence Policy. This means the software no longer receives updates, security patches, or technical support from Act!, and may not be compatible with current or future versions of Microsoft® Windows or SQL Server®. While your version of Act! may still function in its current environment, it is increasingly vulnerable to security risks, performance issues, and compatibility failures as surrounding 3rd party technologies evolve. Unsupported versions also carry a higher likelihood of software instability, limited troubleshooting options, and—in some cases—complete loss of access if system changes are made. If you’re using Act! in a business-critical capacity, it’s important to understand these risks and take appropriate action to ensure continuity.
What Are the Risks?
Microsoft will be ending support for Windows® 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for Windows 10. Continuing to use Act! on Windows 10 after this date may result in increased risk of security vulnerabilities, data loss, or system errors; limited ability to troubleshoot issues; and lack of compatibility with future security updates or newer hardware. Learn more
If your version of Act! relies on Microsoft SQL Server® 2014 (as is the case with Act! v23 and earlier), your database is no longer protected—Microsoft officially ended extended support for SQL Server 2014 on July 9, 2024. This means there are no more security updates or bug fixes, and your data is at greater risk of breaches, data loss, or unauthorised access. Learn more
In addition, SQL Server 2014 or 2016, which shipped with Act! v23 and earlier, is not supported on new hardware with Windows 11.
If you are using Act! v18.1 or earlier, there is an additional risk related to licensing. These versions include a discontinued licensing component that may cause Act! to become permanently inaccessible if you reinstall the software, upgrade your hardware, or modify your user count. In most cases, once license activation fails, there is no recovery path available. Learn more
How to Confirm Your Version
To find out whether you are affected, you can verify your current setup using the links below:
What You Can Do
If you’re on an unsupported version of Act!, we recommend reviewing your options and taking proactive steps to avoid disruption. This may include upgrading to a supported version of Act! Premium, or transitioning to Act! in the Cloud to ensure you remain on the latest version with continued access to support, security updates, and compatibility with modern business platforms and applications.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure whether your current setup is supported, or if you need help reviewing your options, our team can assist you. Call us at 1300 724 327 (AU), 0800 443 163 (NZ) or contact your Act! Certified Consultant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Act! v24 and all earlier versions are no longer supported under the Act! Support Obsolescence Policy. This means they no longer receive product updates, security patches, or technical support from Act!.
Unsupported versions of Act! are no longer maintained or updated. They may continue to function, but they are at increased risk of compatibility issues, data security vulnerabilities, and software instability—especially as third-party technologies like Windows and SQL Server continue to evolve.
Microsoft will officially end support for Windows® 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for Windows 10. Continuing to use Act! on Windows 10 after this date may result in increased risk of security vulnerabilities, data loss, or system errors; limited ability to troubleshoot issues; and lack of compatibility with future security updates or newer hardware.
Microsoft ended extended support for SQL Server® 2014 on July 9, 2024. If you're using Act! v23 or earlier, your database is no longer receiving security updates from Microsoft, which increases the risk of breaches, corruption, or unauthorised access.
Act! v23 and earlier are not compatible with Windows 11. These versions rely on SQL Server 2014 or 2016, which are not supported on modern hardware running Windows 11.
Versions v18.1 and earlier use a discontinued licensing component. If you reinstall the software, upgrade hardware, or adjust your user count, license activation may fail. In many cases, this results in permanent loss of access with no recovery path.
We recommend upgrading to a supported version of Act! Premium or moving to Act! in the Cloud. These options ensure ongoing support, security updates, and compatibility with modern operating systems and infrastructure.
If you're unsure about your version or need help exploring upgrade options, we’re here to assist. Call us at 1300 724 327 (AU), 0800 443 163 (NZ) or contact your Act! Certified Consultant