2026 SharePoint Workflow Retirement: What You Need to Know
Microsoft is officially retiring SharePoint 2013 workflows, with a firm end date of April 2, 2026. As of April 2, 2024, these workflows have already been disabled for new Microsoft 365 tenants and will be completely removed from existing ones by 2026. There will be no extensions.
If your organization still uses SharePoint 2013 workflows, now is the time to upgrade with the help of our SharePoint Migration Experts, who can guide you in moving to Power Automate or other supported solutions to avoid disruption.
What’s Changing & Why Microsoft is Retiring SP2013 Workflows
Microsoft is retiring SharePoint Server 2013 workflows as part of a broader shift toward modern, cloud-based technologies. This decision is driven by the need to support more scalable, secure, and efficient solutions across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. As a result, several legacy components, including the SharePoint Add-in model, SharePoint 2013 workflows, and Azure Access Control Services (ACS), are being phased out in favor of more modern alternatives like Power Automate.
One of the main reasons behind this move is the obsolescence of the underlying technologies powering SharePoint 2013 workflows. These tools were built for an earlier time of collaboration and no longer meet the current standards for security, performance, or maintainability. Microsoft has made it clear that continuing to rely on these outdated workflows increases risk and limits your ability to fully benefit from newer features and seamless integrations available in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Security is another major factor. Legacy workflow systems are more vulnerable to threats and lack the built-in protections found in modern platforms. Power Automate and similar solutions offer more robust authentication, improved monitoring, and better compliance controls. By retiring outdated models, Microsoft is helping organizations reduce vulnerabilities and align with best practices in cloud-based infrastructure.
Your organization can rely on SharePoint Migration Experts for guidance to ensure a smooth transition. Partnering with the best Microsoft SharePoint migration services firm can also help you assess existing workflows and be more ready for the future with Power Automate for maximum efficiency.
Impact on Microsoft 365 & Project Online
The retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows significantly impacts users across Microsoft 365, especially those who rely on classic workflow automation for business processes. Since many legacy workflows in Microsoft 365 were built using the SharePoint 2013 workflow engine, your business may lose the ability to run, edit, or create these workflows. This change affects not only internal process automation but also integrations that depend on these workflows to trigger tasks or notifications.
Project Online users will also feel the effects, particularly those using phase/stage gate models to manage project lifecycles. These models, which often depend on SharePoint 2013 workflows for task approvals and transitions between phases, will no longer function. As a result, organizations using Project Online will need to redesign or rebuild these project management structures using modern tools or migrate to Project for the Web.
Partnering with an experienced Microsoft system integration company, like i3solutions, plays a key role in managing these changes effectively. Integration experts are needed if you’re redesigning workflows, migrating data, or building modern project management solutions. You can proactively adapt to the retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows by modernizing your operations and by staying aligned with Microsoft’s evolving cloud ecosystem.
4 Risks of Delaying Migration
Delaying your SharePoint 2013 workflow migration can cause major business and security issues. Here are 4 key risks that you should know:
- Workflow Failure and Business Disruption
The retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows means any automated processes still running on them, such as approvals, alerts, or task routing, will break. This will potentially bring parts of your operations to a halt. - Increased Security Vulnerabilities
Legacy systems like SharePoint 2013 are no longer equipped to handle current security threats. Continuing to rely on unsupported workflows leaves your organization open to risks and may violate compliance standards. - Loss of Support and Compatibility
Without official Microsoft support, these workflows won’t receive updates or patches. They may also lose compatibility with future Microsoft 365 features, which can cause system errors or failures over time. - Higher Migration Costs Later On
Delaying migration often results in rushed, reactive projects that cost more in time, resources, and emergency consulting. Early planning helps keep costs predictable and ensures a more efficient migration process.
It’s smart to hire SharePoint Migration Consultants to avoid disruption, security risks, and rising costs. Their expertise ensures an efficient transition to modern workflows, helping you stay ahead of the 2026 deadline.
Microsoft-Recommended Alternatives
With the retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows, Microsoft strongly recommends transitioning to Power Automate as the modern replacement. Power Automate offers a more flexible, secure, and cloud-first approach to workflow automation, integrating seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps and services. It supports a wide range of business scenarios, from simple task approvals to complex multi-step processes.
For organizations with more specialized needs or legacy systems, Microsoft also supports migration to partner-led or ISV (Independent Software Vendor) solutions. These platforms offer extended capabilities and custom workflow orchestration tailored to industry-specific requirements. Some organizations may also consider rebuilding workflows within Power Apps, depending on how interactive or data-driven their existing processes are.
In addition to Power Automate and Power Apps, your company can also evaluate third-party workflow engines that it may be using. If these tools rely on SharePoint 2013 workflows, it’s important to confirm their compatibility and plan a move to a supported version or modern alternative.
It’s best to partner with the best Microsoft SharePoint migration services firm so that we can help you explore these options effectively. A trusted migration partner can help assess your current workflows, identify the right tools for your business, and ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption. With our expert guidance, you can move away from outdated systems and embrace more efficient automation solutions.
Why Hire i3solutions as Your SharePoint Migration Experts
With over 27 years of experience as a Microsoft system integration company, i3solutions has built a solid reputation for delivering complex enterprise solutions with precision and care. Our team understands the full Microsoft ecosystem, from legacy systems to the latest in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Power Platform. Our proven experience makes us a trusted partner for organizations ready to modernize.
Recognized as one of the Best Microsoft SharePoint Migration Services Firms, we specialize in helping businesses migrate from outdated SharePoint workflows to modern tools like Power Automate. Our SharePoint migration experts have a proven track record of successful transitions that minimize downtime and ensure long-term scalability.
When you hire SharePoint consultants from i3solutions, you gain access to a dedicated team of experienced developers and Power Automate specialists. We don’t just move your workflows. We also help you improve them, align them with business goals, and modernize your operations for sustained growth on the Microsoft cloud.
FAQs About Microsoft SharePoint 2013 Workflow Retirement
What are the Limitations of SharePoint 2013?
SharePoint 2013 has several architectural and functional limitations compared to modern SharePoint Online. Key limits include a maximum list threshold of 5,000 items for optimal performance, outdated workflow capabilities, limited mobile support, and less integration with newer Microsoft tools.
How to Get Workflow History in SharePoint 2013?
To view workflow history in SharePoint 2013, navigate to the list or library where the workflow was run, select the relevant item, and click “Workflow” in the item’s context menu. From there, you can view the status page showing workflow history, including completed tasks and approval logs.
Which Microsoft Office Versions Do Not Expire?
Microsoft Office perpetual licenses, such as Office 2016, Office 2019, or Office 2021, do not expire and can be used indefinitely on a single device. These versions differ from Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which are cloud-based and require an active subscription to access features and updates. While perpetual versions won’t expire, they do eventually lose support and access to the latest security patches.
Migrate from SharePoint 2013 with Our Expert Help!
Ready to move on from SharePoint 2013? i3solutions’ Microsoft SharePoint specialists make migration simple, secure, and strategic. With decades of experience and a team of seasoned professionals, we can help your organization transition to modern Microsoft 365 environments using best practices, proven tools, and effective strategies.
Whether you’re looking to hire SharePoint consultants for planning or need to hire experienced Microsoft SharePoint developers to rebuild workflows in Power Automate, our team is here to guide every step. Avoid disruption, reduce risk, and unlock the full potential of your Microsoft investment with expert support from i3solutions. Contact us now, and our SharePoint Migration Experts will assist you in ensuring a seamless transition before April 2026.
