Short answer: Microsoft ends support for Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 on October 13, 2026. Your apps won't stop working that day, but Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes and technical support. Unlike Windows 10, there is no paid Extended Security Updates program for Office. If you're running Office 2021, now is the time to plan your move.
What actually happens on October 13?
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook 2021 will keep opening and saving files. What changes is that every new security flaw found after that date stays unpatched. Microsoft also stops phone and chat support and removes Office 2021 from Microsoft Update.
This deadline matters more than most because Office is where people open email attachments and files from outside sources, and that is a common way attackers get in.
Why is there no extended support?
Older perpetual versions such as Office 2016 got around ten years of support. Office 2021 got five, with no extended phase afterward. Office 2016 and 2019 already reached end of support in October 2025, and Office 2021 is next.
Who is affected?
- Home users running Office 2021 Home & Student, Home & Business or Professional
- Small businesses with Office 2021 or Office LTSC 2021 on their PCs
- Anyone running standalone Project 2021, Visio 2021, Access 2021 or Publisher 2021
Not sure which version you have? Open Word or Excel, go to File → Account, and check the product information on the right.
Your three options
1. Upgrade to Office 2024 (one-time purchase). This is the closest replacement if you don't want a subscription. You pay once, and Office 2024 is supported until October 9, 2029. It suits home users, small offices and machines that don't need cloud features.
2. Move to Microsoft 365 (subscription). You always get the latest apps, ongoing updates, cloud storage and Copilot options. It suits teams that collaborate a lot and want new features as they arrive.
3. Stay on Office 2021 (not recommended). If you truly can't switch yet, keep Office fully updated, avoid opening untrusted attachments, and set a firm cutoff date. Treat this as a short-term bridge only.
| Office 2021 | Office 2024 | Microsoft 365 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment | One-time | One-time | Subscription |
| Security updates | Ends Oct 13, 2026 | Until Oct 9, 2029 | Ongoing |
| New features | No | Limited | Continuous |
| Best for | Short-term bridge only | Offline or budget-focused users | Teams and cloud users |
A quick checklist for businesses
- List every device running Office 2021 or LTSC 2021.
- Decide between Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 for each user group.
- Buy licenses and test on a small pilot group first.
- Roll out to everyone and set a hard retirement date for 2021.
- Uninstall Office 2021 once users are moved.
Frequently asked questions
Will Office 2021 stop working after October 13, 2026?
No. It keeps running, but without security updates or support.
Can I buy extended security updates for Office 2021?
No. Microsoft has confirmed there is no extension for Office 2021.
What's the cheapest supported option?
For most people, a one-time Office 2024 license is the simplest way to stay supported without a subscription.
Do I need to reinstall Windows?
No. Office 2024 installs on a supported Windows PC without a reinstall.
Ready to upgrade?
Get genuine Office 2024 with instant digital delivery: https://ustrustedtech.com/products/microsoft-office-home-business-2024-1-pc-perpetual-license. Still deciding? Read our comparisons: Microsoft 365 vs Office 2024 (2026) and Best Place to Buy Office 2024 in the USA.
