Still Using Office 2021? What to Do Now Support Has Ended

Your apps still open. What has changed?

You open Word to write a letter or Excel to finish an invoice, and everything looks normal. But Microsoft ended support for Office 2021 on 13 October 2026. That includes Office Home & Student 2021, Home & Business 2021 and the business-focused Office LTSC 2021.

The apps may keep working, but Microsoft no longer supplies security fixes, bug fixes or technical support for this version. The deadline does not automatically delete your documents or mean your computer has been hacked. It is a reason to plan a move to supported software.

• Microsoft: end of support for Office 2021

Check whether you actually have Office 2021

On a Windows PC, open Word or Excel and choose File, then Account. Look under Product Information for the product name. On a Mac, open Word and choose About Microsoft Word from the Word menu. Menu wording can vary.

Make a note of the full product name before buying anything. Microsoft 365 is a different product from Office 2021. If someone manages your work computer, ask them to check your licence and upgrade plan first.

Choose an option that fits the way you work

Start with the tasks you need to keep doing: occasional letters, family spreadsheets, customer invoices, shared documents or email in Outlook. Then compare these routes:

• A one-off purchase: Office 2024 is available for a single PC or Mac. Check the edition for the apps and usage rights you need, particularly Outlook and business use. Future major releases are separate purchases.
• A subscription: Microsoft 365 plans differ. Check that the plan includes installed desktop apps if you need them, rather than assuming every subscription does.
• Browser apps: free Word, Excel and PowerPoint web apps need a Microsoft account. They may suit simpler personal documents, but check features and file handling before relying on them.

For a home computer used mainly for letters and simple budgets, start with what you already have access to. For a workplace, check licences, account ownership and staff needs before choosing.

• Microsoft: Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 compared
• Microsoft: free web apps and paid subscriptions

For home users: avoid paying twice

Check your existing subscriptions and Microsoft account before buying another licence. Write down which apps you actually use and whether you need to work without an internet connection.

• Try a copy of a typical document in the replacement app. Check the layout, formulas and printing.
• If Outlook holds old email, contacts or calendar entries, include these in your move rather than checking documents alone.
• Keep access to the account used for your purchase and activation. Do not share your password or product key in a support enquiry.

A software support deadline alone does not tell you to replace your laptop. Check the requirements of your chosen Office version against your computer first.

For businesses: test the work that matters

An upgrade needs to preserve everyday work, from a sole trader issuing invoices to an office sharing spreadsheets. Our practical advice is to nominate someone to manage the move and test a representative computer before changing the rest.

• List affected computers, Office editions and the people using them.
• Test invoice templates, spreadsheets with macros, add-ins and any links to accounting or other business systems.
• Check Outlook profiles, shared mailboxes and local email archives where used.
• Confirm the replacement is licensed for your business and includes the apps each person needs.
• Schedule the change around working hours and tell staff where to get help.

Treat complicated spreadsheets and specialist add-ins as items to test early. A successful installation is only part of the job; staff also need to complete their normal tasks.

Before you uninstall or change anything

Use this short preparation checklist:

• Back up important documents and verify that you can open the backup.
• Note where files are stored, including local folders, shared drives and cloud accounts.
• Keep a list of templates, add-ins and any local Outlook data that needs attention.
• Confirm the new product requirements, licence and account access.
• After the move, open, edit, save and print copies of your usual files before removing anything you still need.

For business files, use your approved accounts and storage. Avoid moving customer or company documents into a personal account simply to try a free app.

Need help deciding what to keep and what to change?

Techno Life provides IT support for home users and businesses in Croydon and South London. If you would like help planning the move, start with the full Office product name, whether you use Windows or Mac, the number of computers involved and the apps you depend on.

Include any important templates, spreadsheets or Outlook requirements in your enquiry. This gives us a useful starting point for discussing a suitable option without guessing what you need.