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When Does Microsoft Dynamics NAV Support End?
The extended support dates for the different versions of Dynamics NAV are:
- Dynamics NAV 2009 and earlier: Extended support has already ended
- Dynamics NAV 2013 / 2013 R2: Extended support ended January 2023
- Dynamics NAV 2015: Extended support ended January 2025
- Dynamics NAV 2016: Extended support ended April 2026
- Dynamics NAV 2017: Extended support ends January 2027
- Dynamics NAV 2018: Extended support ends January 2028
If your organisation is still running an older version of Dynamics NAV, it is important to understand where your system sits within the Microsoft support lifecycle and what this means for your longer-term ERP strategy.
When Does Dynamics NAV 2018 Support End?
Dynamics NAV 2018 is the final version released under the NAV name before Business Central became Microsoft’s successor ERP product.
Extended support for Dynamics NAV 2018 ends in January 2028. This makes 2027 an important planning window for businesses that have not yet established their migration strategy.
Rather than waiting until the support deadline approaches, organisations can use this time to review their current NAV environment, understand their customisations and integrations, assess their data and reporting requirements, and establish a structured route towards Business Central.
Microsoft confirmed in July 2026 that from 30 April 2031, Enhancement Plans for Dynamics NAV, including the Business Ready Enhancement Plan, can no longer be renewed. That plan is what allows you to upgrade your NAV licences to Business Central, so once it ends, that upgrade option will no longer be available to you.
From NAV to Business Central, in their words
Moving off Dynamics NAV is about more than moving your data. Our customers tell us the real gains come from rethinking how they work, backed by training and support that make the change stick. Here’s what businesses who have already made the move say about working with Qi.
What Does Dynamics NAV End of Support Mean for Your Business?
Reaching end of support does not mean that your Dynamics NAV system will suddenly stop working. It does, however, mean that businesses need to consider the increasing risks and practical challenges associated with relying on ageing ERP technology.
There are three particularly important areas to consider:
Security
As older software moves beyond its supported lifecycle, maintaining a secure technology environment becomes increasingly important. Once a version is out of extended support, Microsoft no longer releases security updates for it, so any new vulnerability is left open.
Businesses should understand the potential risks associated with continuing to rely on legacy systems.
Compliance
Organisations operating in regulated environments should consider whether using unsupported software could affect their security, governance, compliance or audit requirements.
Certifications such as Cyber Essentials require software to be supported and kept up to date, and supply chains increasingly ask for them before you can tender.
Ongoing Support and Compatibility
As NAV becomes increasingly outdated, maintaining integrations, customisations and third-party solutions can become more challenging. Businesses may also find it more difficult to integrate legacy NAV environments with newer technologies.
WHY BUSINESSES WORK WITH Qi
Business-Led Guidance
We look beyond the software itself, taking time to understand your goals, processes and operational challenges before recommending the right solution.
Direct Access to Experts
You work with in-house consultants, developers and support specialists who understand your systems, reducing delays and unnecessary handovers.
Long-Term Support
We build lasting relationships with our clients, providing ongoing advice, support and system reviews as your business and technology needs evolve.
Connected IT, Security & Infrastructure Expertise
From ERP and Microsoft cloud solutions to reporting, automation, cyber security and infrastructure, Qi supports the systems that keep your business running securely and effectively.
Why Is Microsoft Ending Support for Dynamics NAV?
Dynamics NAV has been succeeded by Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the modern evolution of NAV.
For businesses still using Dynamics NAV, moving to Business Central provides an opportunity to do more than simply replace an ageing ERP system. It is also an opportunity to review existing processes, legacy customisations, reporting requirements, integrations and data.
This reflects Qi’s existing approach to NAV support: helping organisations keep their current systems stable while identifying what should be retained, changed or improved ahead of the move to Business Central.
Should You Upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Business Central?
If your business is still using Dynamics NAV, now is the time to review your longer-term ERP strategy.
That does not mean rushing into a migration, but it does mean starting now. A well-planned move should start with understanding how your existing NAV system supports the business today.
This could include reviewing:
- Legacy customisations and workarounds
- Existing business processes
- Reporting requirements
- Integrations with other systems
- Data quality and dependencies
- Functionality that needs to be retained
- Opportunities to simplify existing processes
Qi already supports NAV customers with reviewing legacy customisations and workarounds, understanding reporting requirements, identifying integration and data dependencies, and preparing for the move to Business Central.
Planning Your Dynamics NAV to Business Central Upgrade
Moving from Dynamics NAV to Business Central should be treated as a structured business project rather than simply a technical software upgrade.
Before migrating, it is important to understand how your NAV environment has evolved, which customisations are still necessary and where existing workarounds could potentially be replaced with more suitable processes.
This gives your business the opportunity to establish what still delivers value, address legacy complexity and prepare for a modern ERP environment that better supports your future requirements.
Qi can help you maintain stability in your existing Dynamics NAV environment while developing a clear, structured path towards Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Practical Legacy System Knowledge
We help businesses understand how their existing NAV environment supports daily operations, including historic processes, reporting requirements and system dependencies.
Reliable Support
Our support team works closely with clients to resolve issues where possible and help keep legacy NAV systems stable while future plans are being developed.
Microsoft Ecosystem Knowledge
With experience across Microsoft business systems, Qi helps organisations understand how developments across the Microsoft ecosystem can support a future move to Business Central.
Long-Term Partnership
We work alongside businesses as their systems evolve, providing support for current needs while helping them plan a clear route away from legacy technology.
Still Running Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
If your business still relies on Dynamics NAV, do not wait until the end-of-support deadline to start planning.
Qi can help you understand your existing NAV environment, identify risks and dependencies, support your current system and develop a structured approach to moving to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Our structured approach provides a highly cost-effective, managed and successful upgrade project, bringing across all your data and the bespoke developments you rely on into a modern environment, pain free!
Speak to Qi about Dynamics NAV support and planning your move to Business Central.
Companies benefiting from our Dynamics NAV Solutions
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Microsoft Dynamics NAV Services
Discover supporting services for our Dynamics NAV solutions.
System Upgrades
Cloud Migration
IT Strategy & Consultancy
Related Solutions
Businesses using Dynamics NAV often explore additional solutions as their systems evolve.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Manufacturing Solutions
Reporting & Automation Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
We've been told our version of NAV is too old to upgrade to Business Central. Is that true?
Not necessarily. As long as you have paid your Business Ready Enhancement Plan, Qi can upgrade your data to Business Central, even from older versions of NAV.
How much does it cost to upgrade from NAV to Business Central?
Upgrade costs depend on the bespoke development you currently have and how much of it needs converting. Qi offers highly competitive and efficient upgrade projects, including the migration and validation of all data and conversion of any bespoke functionality you rely on.
If you have seen upgrade quotes that make your eyes water, get at least three quotes, including one from Qi. You will be relieved and pleasantly surprised to see ours.
Can our data be migrated to Business Central if it is old or messy?
Yes. Data migration is a challenge, especially from older versions, but Qi will migrate your data and help you cleanse it as part of the process.
How much downtime will a NAV upgrade cause?
Much less than you might think. Your downtime will typically be half a day.
Will a partner take on our NAV system if it is unusual or heavily customised?
Yes. Qi specialises in working with manufacturers, and no two are the same. ‘Out there’ is our speciality.
How long does a NAV to Business Central upgrade take?
An upgrade project typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, not the 6 months to a year many businesses expect.
Will we lose the bespoke developments we rely on?
Not the ones you still need. Qi will assess with you which bespoke developments need to be upgraded and which are now standard in Business Central.
What can Business Central do that our version of NAV can't?
Moving to Business Central will open the door to using AI, Power Platform and business intelligence through native tools, so you stop missing out on ways to make work easier and more productive.
What are the risks of staying on a version of NAV without security updates?
Once your NAV version stops receiving security updates, your business is left vulnerable to cyber attacks. It is highly inadvisable to run a legacy system anyway, and supply chains are demanding more: certifications such as Cyber Essentials require software to be supported, and without them you may not be able to quote for some tenders.
You just need to upgrade.
Can we transfer our Business Ready Enhancement Plan to a new partner?
Yes. Transferring your Business Ready Enhancement Plan to the partner you want to complete your upgrade with is straightforward. It’s just a form and doesn’t cost you a penny. Find out more about switching to Qi.