What changed on 13 October 2026?
Microsoft ended support for Office 2021 on 13 October 2026: no more security updates, bug fixes or technical support by phone or chat, and most online help content is being retired. Microsoft rules out any extension or Extended Security Updates.
This covers all Office 2021 apps, such as Office Home & Student 2021 and Office Home & Business 2021. A Microsoft 365 subscription is a different product. The apps do not switch off: Microsoft says they may continue to work but warns of serious security risks.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2024 | Support begins for the successor, Office 2024 |
| 13 October 2026 | End of support for Office 2021, with no extension |
| October 2029 | Planned end of support for Office 2024 |
Are you affected?
Windows: check your version in Word or Excel
- Open Word or Excel and select Account.
- If a document is already open, select File › Account or File › Help.
- Under Product Information, read the product name. If it contains ‘2021’, you are affected.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.microsoft.com
Mac: check your version in Word
- Open Word.
- In the menu bar, select Microsoft Word › About Word.
- The window shows the version number and licence type, such as a one-time purchase of Office for Mac.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.microsoft.com
Tip: On a computer from your employer or school, ask the IT department before installing or removing anything.
An example: Aoife weighs it up
Fictional example: Aoife, a retired teacher in Galway, keeps her book club's kitty in Excel and writes a monthly newsletter in Word. Under File › Account she sees Office Home & Student 2021. As she uses Office only a few hours a month, she tries the free web apps: she signs in with a Microsoft account, saves the newsletter in OneDrive and shares the draft with a fellow organiser. She keeps a copy on a USB stick and notes a date to remove Office 2021.
Can you keep using Office 2021 for now?
Yes, as a bridge. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre calls applying updates one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself safe online. In Switzerland, the federal National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warns that outdated software is a prime target and that malware also spreads through Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
How to reduce the risk until you switch
- Install any remaining Office updates (steps below).
- Open only your own files or files of known origin. With unexpected attachments, check with the sender first.
- Never allow macros in documents from the internet; the Swiss NCSC advises this explicitly.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus up to date. If your PC still runs Windows 10, see Keeping Windows 10 going.
- Set a fixed date for the switch.
Windows: install the last Office updates
- Open Word and create a new document.
- Go to File › Account.
- Under Product Information, select Update Options › Update Now.
- If you do not see Update Now, select Enable Updates first.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.microsoft.com
What are your options after Office 2021?
| Option | Cost | Worth knowing | Suits you if you … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 | one-off price | Security updates until October 2029, no new features; one device only | want no subscription and use one computer |
| Microsoft 365 | recurring fee | Plans such as Personal or Family; updates automatically | use several devices or want to include others |
| Microsoft web apps | free with a Microsoft account | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneDrive; 5 GB cloud storage, ad-supported email | edit documents occasionally and are online |
| LibreOffice | free, open source | Writer, Calc and Impress open Microsoft files; no email program | prefer working offline without an account |
Tip: Work out what a subscription costs over several years. Keeping track of digital subscriptions shows how.
How do you switch without losing data?
- Back up your documents and check that you can get a file back. Testing a backup walks you through it.
- Back up your Outlook data files; Microsoft suggests this before upgrading.
- Check the new version's system requirements before buying.
- Setting up the new version usually removes the old one. If you uninstall Office 2021 yourself first, Microsoft says your files are kept.
- Test important files in the new tool, especially those with formulas, macros or a precise print layout.
- Keep only one Office version on a Windows PC, as Microsoft recommends.
What do national cyber security bodies advise?
| Country | Body | What it advises |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) | Install updates promptly: one of the most important steps to stay safe online |
| Germany | BSI, the German federal office for information security | Keep office suites updated; without updates, check whether you can switch product |
| Switzerland | National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) of the Swiss federal government | Outdated programs are prime targets; never enable macros in documents from the internet |
Switzerland is not automatically bound by EU rules; its National Cyber Security Centre issues its own guidance.
Common mistakes
- Buying a so-called ‘security pack’ or ‘extension’ for Office 2021, although Microsoft rules out Extended Security Updates.
- Uninstalling Office 2021 before backing up documents and Outlook data and testing a restore.
- Signing up for a subscription in a hurry, although the program still runs and you can compare calmly.
- Continuing to open unknown attachments in Office 2021 and allowing macros because nothing has happened so far.
Your checklist
The checkboxes are for your own reference. No entries are sent to us. To keep a copy, print the page or save it as a PDF using your browser menu.
Common questions
Will Office 2021 still work after 13 October 2026?
Yes. Microsoft says the apps may continue to work, so you can open and edit documents as before. Security updates, bug fixes and support are gone, so every new weakness stays open. That makes carrying on a short bridge for your own files, not a long-term solution for email and attachments.
Can I pay for extra security updates for Office 2021?
No. Microsoft explicitly rules out an extension and Extended Security Updates for Office 2021, so avoid offers promising otherwise. For continued updates you need a supported product such as Office 2024 or Microsoft 365, or another suite such as LibreOffice.
Will LibreOffice open my Word and Excel files?
The LibreOffice project describes its suite as compatible with Microsoft Office formats. Still, test your key files before switching, especially those with macros, complex formulas or a precise print layout, and keep a copy in the original format until the move is complete.
How long will Office 2024 be supported?
Microsoft lists support for Office 2024 until October 2029. As a one-off purchase it receives security updates and fixes during that time, but no new features. According to Microsoft, it can only be installed on one device. If you use several computers or want to cover your household, compare that with a subscription.
Sources and further information
Primary sources from public authorities, consumer organisations and providers. A source may be in another language; follow the guidance that applies to your service and where you live.
- Microsoft Support: End of support for Office 2021Source review date:
- Microsoft Lifecycle: Office 2024Source review date:
- Microsoft Support: How do I upgrade Office?Source review date:
- NCSC (UK): Install the latest software and app updatesSource review date:
- National Cyber Security Centre NCSC (Switzerland): MalwareSource review date:
- BSI (Germany): Softwareupdates – ein Grundpfeiler der IT-Sicherheit (in German)Source review date:
- Microsoft: Free web and mobile appsSource review date:
- The Document Foundation: What is LibreOffice?Source review date:
