Office 2021 End of Support (13 October 2026): What It Means and What to Do Now
Short answer: Microsoft ended support for Office 2021 (Home & Student, Home & Business, Professional, Professional Plus) and Office LTSC 2021 on 13 October 2026. The apps keep working, but they no longer receive security updates, bug fixes or technical support. The simplest move is Office 2024, supported until 9 October 2029, or a Microsoft 365 subscription.
What changed on 13 October 2026
- No more security updates: newly discovered vulnerabilities in Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook stay unpatched.
- No more bug fixes or technical support from Microsoft.
- No extended program: unlike Windows 10, there is no paid Extended Security Updates program for Office 2021.
- Publisher was retired by Microsoft in October 2026 as well, and it is not part of Office 2024.
Does Office 2021 still work?
Yes. Your license stays activated and your documents open normally. The risk is security: Office apps open files and email attachments from outside, which is exactly what attackers target. Some insurers, clients and data protection audits also expect supported software, so businesses should plan the switch rather than wait.
Your options compared
| Option | Cost model | Security updates | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 Professional Plus | One-time purchase | Until 9 October 2029 | Windows PCs, people who want to pay once |
| Microsoft 365 | Monthly or yearly subscription | Continuous | Mac users, cloud storage, Copilot |
| LibreOffice | Free | Continuous | Basic documents; some layout differences with Office files |
| Keep Office 2021 | Nothing to pay | None | Offline or isolated PCs only |
How to move from Office 2021 to Office 2024
- Make sure your documents are saved locally or in OneDrive.
- Uninstall Office 2021 from Settings › Apps › Installed apps. Remove any Microsoft 365 trial at the same time.
- Install Office 2024 from the official Microsoft link and activate it under File › Account › Change Product Key. Our step-by-step guide: How to install Office Professional Plus 2024.
- Open a few documents to check: Office 2024 uses the same .docx, .xlsx and .pptx formats, so nothing needs converting.
For several computers, a single multi-activation key is cheaper per PC: Office 2024 for 5 PCs or for 10 PCs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Office 2021 support end?
On 13 October 2026, for both Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021.
Will Office 2021 stop working?
No. The apps keep working and stay activated, but they no longer receive security updates or fixes.
Is there an extended support program for Office 2021?
No. Microsoft does not offer paid Extended Security Updates for Office 2021.
How long is Office 2024 supported?
Office 2024 receives security updates until 9 October 2029.
Can I open my Office 2021 files in Office 2024?
Yes. Both versions use the same file formats.