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What changes on October 13, 2026?
Microsoft says that after the deadline it will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes or security fixes for Office 2021 vulnerabilities reported or discovered after support ends. Software updates, phone or chat support, and updates to Microsoft’s support content for the product also end. Microsoft’s Office 2021 end-of-support guidance states: “Support for Office 2021 will end October 13, 2026 and there will be no extension and no extended security updates.”
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The date marks the end of servicing, not a scheduled remote deactivation. Microsoft says, “All of your Office 2021 apps may continue to function. However, you could expose yourself to serious and potentially harmful security risks.” Continuing to use the apps therefore means accepting that newly discovered or reported vulnerabilities will not receive Office 2021 security fixes from Microsoft.
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What should you do if you use Office 2021?
If it is your personal computer
Plan to move to a supported Office option rather than treating continued operation as continued protection. Microsoft says home users can keep using Office 2021, but recommends upgrading to a newer version to stay current with features, patches and security updates. Choose based on whether you prefer a one-time purchase or an ongoing subscription, and whether you need Microsoft 365’s cloud-backed features and services.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic Office Apps | Includes classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease.
- Install on a Single Device | Install classic desktop Office Apps for use on a single Windows laptop, Windows desktop, MacBook, or iMac.
- Ideal for One Person | With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- Consider Upgrading to Microsoft 365 | Get premium benefits with a Microsoft 365 subscription, including ongoing updates, advanced security, and access to premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, plus 1TB cloud storage per person and multi-device support for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
If work or school manages your installation
Contact your organization’s IT help desk before buying or installing anything. Microsoft directs work- and school-managed users to their IT department; the organization may control licensing, deployment and the upgrade schedule.
Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 are different upgrade paths
Microsoft describes Office 2024 as a one-time-purchase suite and Microsoft 365 as a subscription. They are not interchangeable licenses: compare how you pay, which services you need, the devices you use and the product’s support lifecycle.
Rank #2
![Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 | Classic Desktop Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote | One-Time Purchase for 1 PC/MAC | Instant Download [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41H8B5iqO4L._SL160_.jpg)
- [Ideal for One Person] — With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- [Classic Office Apps] — Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
- [Desktop Only & Customer Support] — To install and use on one PC or Mac, on desktop only. Microsoft 365 has your back with readily available technical support through chat or phone.
| Option | License model | What Microsoft says is included | Support information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office 2024 | One-time purchase | Desktop apps such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint for one device. Microsoft says one-time-purchase suites omit some cloud-backed features and Microsoft 365 services. | Microsoft lists October 9, 2029 as the end-of-support date for Office 2024 for PC and Mac. |
| Microsoft 365 | Subscription | Access to the latest and most feature-rich versions of the desktop apps, along with Microsoft 365 services. | A single end date for the subscription option is not stated on the cited product pages; check the current plan and service terms. |
Microsoft’s Office suites comparison explains the licensing and service differences. Its product support listing gives the Office 2021 and Office 2024 dates. Office 2024’s longer listed support window does not extend Office 2021’s support or provide fixes for it.
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Microsoft Publisher is related but distinct from the Office 2021 support cutoff. Microsoft says Microsoft 365 subscribers will lose access to Publisher after October 1, 2026, while support for the perpetual Publisher version ends October 13, 2026. Microsoft recommends converting Publisher files before the subscription access change; see its Publisher retirement guidance. These dates concern Publisher and should not be read as a claim that Office 2021 apps stop opening on October 13.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![SoftMaker Office Standard 2021 (5 users) for Windows, Mac and Linux [PC/Mac Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/311keJjtTfL._SL160_.jpg)
- Alternative office suite: Word processor TextMaker, Spreadsheet program PlanMaker, Presentation software Presentations, Automation tool BasicMaker
- Licensed for 5 users / household or 1 user / organization, perpetual lifetime license for Windows, Mac and Linux
- User interface with modern ribbons or classical menus
- Compatible with all modern Microsoft Office documents including DOCX, XLSX, PPTX
- The complete office suite can be installed on a USB flash and used without installation
Rank #4
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- Up to 2 TB Shared Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Share Your Family Subscription | You can share all of your subscription benefits with up to 6 people for use across all their devices.
Rank #3
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- 1 TB Secure Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Easy Digital Download with Microsoft Account | Product delivered electronically for quick setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account, redeem your code, and download your apps instantly to your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
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