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OneNote 2016 is the older desktop version of Microsoft’s note-taking application that came bundled with Office 2016 and Office 2019. If you’ve been using it for years and wonder whether to stick with it or upgrade, you’ll want to know the current situation: as of October 14, 2025, OneNote 2016 reached its full end of support alongside the rest of the Office 2016 and Office 2019 suite, meaning Microsoft no longer provides security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for it.
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That said, the app still works. It’s not going to disappear from your computer overnight. But you need to understand what you’re missing and what your actual options are now.
Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice for your setup.
- What OneNote 2016 is and how it differs from modern OneNote
- Key features that made it unique (and why some people still prefer it)
- Why Microsoft ended support and what you’re losing
- How to download or install it if you still need it
- The best migration path forward
- Practical answers to the questions people actually ask
What is OneNote 2016?
OneNote 2016 is a version of the OneNote desktop app that was part of Microsoft Office 2016. It’s a traditional Windows desktop application—the kind with a ribbon menu at the top, just like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Think of it as the last of the “classic” desktop note-taking apps from Microsoft. This variant is acquired when you install the Microsoft Office suite on your computer. It’s compatible with all Windows versions and shares a similar interface with other Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
For years, this was the go-to OneNote for anyone who owned Office. Then Microsoft shifted strategy and started pushing users toward a different app: the modern OneNote app (sometimes called OneNote for Windows or OneNote on Windows), which is cloud-first and available from the Microsoft Store.
OneNote 2016 vs. Modern OneNote: Key Differences
This is where it gets important. The two apps are different enough that you can’t just swap one for the other without thinking.
Storage: Local vs. Cloud-Only
The biggest difference is where your notes live. OneNote 2016 stores notebooks on your local drive while OneNote for Windows 10 stores them in Microsoft’s cloud. For some users, this is non-negotiable. If you need offline access, compliance requirements demand local storage, or you just don’t trust cloud-only solutions, OneNote 2016 is still the answer.
Modern OneNote wants your notebooks on OneDrive or SharePoint. Period.
Interface & Familiarity
Microsoft OneNote 2016 has the familiar Office ‘ribbon’ at the top. That’s one of the main reasons people prefer it: it’s simply more familiar as they switch between OneNote and other apps such as Word or Excel. The modern app uses a simpler, flatter design that feels less like traditional Office.
Outlook Integration
Better integration with Microsoft Outlook is, to some people, the biggest feature advantage that Microsoft OneNote 2016 has over the Windows 10 version. You can email notebook pages, create Outlook tasks directly in notes, and link tasks to your notes more seamlessly.
Templates & Organization
Saving notebooks locally on your hard drive in addition to cloud storage is an exclusive feature. The use of templates to give pages a consistent layout or appearance is also unique to OneNote 2016. Custom tags for quick note organization and searching also live here.
What Modern OneNote Gained
It’s not all one-sided. Modern OneNote has genuinely useful features OneNote 2016 will never get. The Immersive Reader feature, designed to aid in understanding text. The Researcher tool allows you to search for relevant quotes, images, or citable sources. Ink Math Assistant for solving equations.
But here’s the thing: most everyday users don’t use these advanced features.
Why Microsoft Ended Support for OneNote 2016
Microsoft wanted to consolidate. Having two separate OneNote apps on Windows was messy. They kept saying they’d move everyone to the modern app, then changed their mind, then changed it again. Eventually, they decided to end support rather than maintain two codebases.
Microsoft has consolidated its note-taking strategy around the modern OneNote on Windows app, available through Microsoft 365 and the Microsoft Store.
This doesn’t mean OneNote 2016 will stop working tomorrow. It means Microsoft won’t patch security holes, fix bugs, or offer technical support if something breaks. Using it after the end date is your call—just do it at your own risk.
How to Download & Install OneNote 2016
If you still want or need OneNote 2016, you can still get it. It’s free to download, though accessing its full features typically requires an Office 2016, Office 2019, or Microsoft 365 license.
Check What You Already Have
Before downloading, check whether it’s already on your machine. Once installed, you can search for OneNote from the Start Menu and you will find two entries, OneNote app and OneNote 2016. If both are there, you’re set.
Download OneNote 2016
Currently, OneNote 2016 is available for download at no cost. You can acquire it directly from the official website.
- Go to the Microsoft OneNote download page
- Look for the desktop version download link (not the Windows 10 app link)
- Choose your version: 32-bit or 64-bit (match whatever version of Office you have)
- Click download and wait for the file to save
Install It
- Double-click the downloaded file (usually called OfficeSetup.exe)
- Follow the on-screen prompts
- Let Windows install it and wait for completion
- Open the Start menu, search for “OneNote,” and launch OneNote 2016
You’ll need to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you have an active Office 2016, Office 2019, or Microsoft 365 subscription, your license will activate automatically.
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OneNote 2016 Features Worth Knowing
If you do use OneNote 2016, here are the core features that make it practical:
- Local notebook storage: Saving notebooks locally on your hard drive in addition to cloud storage.
- Custom tags: Create your own tagging system and search notebooks by tag.
- Templates: Apply page layouts so all your class notes, project plans, or meeting notes have consistent formatting.
- Add-in support: Third-party add-ins and plugins integrate more seamlessly than in modern OneNote.
- Ink-to-text conversion: OneNote can automatically convert your handwriting to text.
- Embed Office files: You can attach just about any computer file to any part of your notes. You can also create or import Excel spreadsheets and Visio diagrams right within OneNote and edit their information in place in your notes.
Should You Still Use OneNote 2016 in 2026?
Here’s the honest take: it depends on your needs.
Stick with OneNote 2016 if:
- You need to store notebooks locally on your computer
- You heavily use Outlook integration (tasks, email to note)
- You use custom tags extensively for organization
- You’re in a locked-down corporate environment where cloud-first tools aren’t allowed
- You prefer the traditional Office ribbon interface
Migrate to modern OneNote if:
- You want active security updates and bug fixes
- You’re okay with cloud-only storage
- You sync notes across multiple devices (Windows, Mac, iPad, Android)
- You want the newest features and better collaborative tools
- You’re setting up OneNote for a new team or organization
Even better: you can run both at the same time while you transition.
How to Migrate from OneNote 2016 to Modern OneNote
If you decide to move, it’s not automatic. Your notes won’t magically appear in modern OneNote. But the process is straightforward.
Step 1: Back Up Everything
First, export your notebooks from OneNote 2016 as a backup. This ensures you don’t lose anything if something goes wrong.
Step 2: Install Modern OneNote
The OneNote desktop app on Windows is part of Office 2019 and Microsoft 365, but it can also be downloaded as a standalone app and used independently on any PC. It runs on any currently supported version of Windows—including all editions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Step 3: Manually Move or Recreate Notebooks
Modern OneNote works best when you create notebooks on OneDrive or SharePoint from the start. You can recreate key notebooks there and gradually move content over, or export and re-import notes systematically.
If you have a lot of notebooks, this takes time. But once you’re done, you’ll be on a supported platform with active development and security updates.
OneNote 2016 System Requirements
In my experience, OneNote 2016 is lightweight and runs on older machines without fuss. Here’s what you need:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating System | OneNote 2016 works for all versions of Windows including Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7. |
| Processor | 1 GHz processor (Intel or compatible) |
| RAM | 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended) |
| Storage | 3 GB free disk space for installation |
| Office License | Office 2016, Office 2019, or Microsoft 365 (optional, but needed for full features) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still download OneNote 2016 in 2026?
Yes. Currently, OneNote 2016 is available for download at no cost. You can acquire it directly from the official website. Microsoft hasn’t removed the download links. But keep in mind that end of support means no more security patches or updates.
Will OneNote 2016 stop working after October 2025?
No. The app will continue to work. End of support means Microsoft stops providing security updates and technical help, not that the software becomes unusable. That said, using unsupported software does carry risk. Security vulnerabilities found after the support date won’t be patched.
Can I use both OneNote 2016 and modern OneNote at the same time?
Yes. Both apps can coexist on your computer. You can use OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10 at the same time. OneNote 2016 stores notebooks on your local drive while OneNote for Windows 10 stores them in Microsoft’s cloud. You can sync the two versions through a cloud connection.
This is actually a smart way to transition gradually. Keep your existing work in OneNote 2016 while testing modern OneNote with new notebooks.
What happens to my notebooks if I switch to modern OneNote?
They don’t disappear. But they won’t automatically transfer. OneNote 2016 can read notebooks created with either OneNote 2016 or 2013 and it can also open, view, and edit any notebook files saved in the older OneNote 2010 and 2007 file formats. Modern OneNote reads the same file formats, so you can open old notebooks in the new app. But to move them to the cloud and keep them synced across devices, you’ll need to recreate or re-upload them.
Is OneNote 2016 secure to use now?
That’s a judgment call. It will work fine for personal, non-sensitive notes. But if you handle confidential information, compliance-sensitive data, or anything that requires security patches, using an unsupported app isn’t wise. Modern OneNote gets regular security updates. OneNote 2016 does not.
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