End of support for Office 2021: what to do
Quick answer
Office 2021 has not received security updates since 13 October 2026. Word, Excel and Outlook still open, but new vulnerabilities are no longer fixed. To stay protected without a subscription, the current perpetual suite is Office 2024.
What changes
- No more security fixes or bug fixes for Office 2021.
- Your files and applications remain usable: nothing stops overnight.
- The risk grows over time, especially for Outlook and documents received by email.
Your options
Office 2024 (one-off purchase)
One payment, no renewal, for one PC. See Office 2024 Professional Plus.
Microsoft 365 (subscription)
Continuous updates and online storage, with an annual cost. Compare Office 2024 and Microsoft 365.
Keep Office 2021 offline
Acceptable for an isolated computer that does not open external documents.
To choose between versions: Office 2024, 2021 or 2019, which version?
Frequently asked questions
Does Office 2021 still work after 13 October 2026?
Yes, the applications still open and activate, but Microsoft no longer publishes security updates.
Should I buy Office 2024?
If you want to stay protected without a subscription, it is the current perpetual suite. Microsoft 365 is the subscription alternative.
Does my Office 2021 key work for Office 2024?
No. Each version of Office has its own keys.