Microsoft is ending support and updates for Office 2021 on October 13. What does that mean, and what are your alternatives?
Microsoft continues to offer one-time purchase versions of Office for people who don’t want to pay a regular monthly or annual fee for Microsoft 365. But even these non-subscription versions can wear out their welcome, and that’s happening with Office 2021.
In a new support document, Microsoft revealed that it’s ending support for Office 2021 as of Tuesday, October 13. This means that the company will no longer provide technical support, software updates, bug fixes, or security patches, leaving the software unprotected against vulnerabilities that may pop up.
Further, Microsoft will stop updating the online help and support pages for the product. If you have a question or problem, you won’t find the solution online, at least not from Microsoft. You’ll still be able to use the software for as long as you want, just without the usual support and updates.
Also: How you can get Microsoft 365 (formerly Office) for free – 3 easy ways
Microsoft typically ends support for certain desktop products at some point. Windows is the most obvious example. But here, the deadline is a hefty ten years. On Oct. 15, 2025, support ended for Windows 10 after its debut back in 2015. Microsoft has thrown a lifesaver to people still on this version with its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, guaranteeing security updates at least until Oct. 12, 2027.
Released in 2021, Windows 11 still has a long support life ahead of it.
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