At BeSharp Experts, we often see that organizations only take action when the end of software support is approaching. That moment can quickly occur. Microsoft Office 2021. According to the official Microsoft Lifecycle documentation, support ends on October 13, 2026.

From that date on, you will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. While Office 2021 will continue to function technically, the risk to your organization will increase significantly. Microsoft therefore recommends switching to a supported version in a timely manner to ensure security, compliance, and continuity.

Since October 1, 2024 is Microsoft Office 2024 available. This successor to Office 2021 is supported until October 9, 2029In addition, organizations can opt for Microsoft 365, which is continuously updated as long as the subscription is active.

How Microsoft Office Support Works

Microsoft uses the so-called "one-time" system for recent, one-time purchased Office versions Modern Lifecycle PolicyThis policy means that a product will receive support until a fixed end date. After that date, Microsoft will completely stop providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support.

It is important for organizations to know that Microsoft Office 2016 en Microsoft Office 2019 are already out of support. Microsoft Office 2021 follows on October 13, 2026, while Office 2024 will continue to be supported until October 9, 2029. This makes Office 2024 the current choice for organizations that prefer a perpetual license.

What the end of support means in concrete terms

After October 13, 2026, Microsoft will no longer offer any support for Office 2021. Security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities will no longer be released, and technical issues will no longer be resolved. In addition, you will no longer receive software updates through Microsoft Update, and you will no longer be able to get support via phone or chat. Much of the online help documentation will also be retired over time.

Your Office applications will continue to function, but the lack of security updates can lead to serious risks, such as infection with malware, spyware, or other forms of malicious software. Furthermore, using unsupported software can lead to compliance and audit issues.

Your options: Office 2024 or Microsoft 365

Organizations currently using Office 2021 have three realistic options:

  • Upgrade to Microsoft Office 2024
    This provides your organization with support until October 9, 2029, enhanced functionality, and full security updates throughout the support period. This is ideal for organizations that prefer a one-time license.

  • Switch to Microsoft 365
    With this subscription model, your organization receives continuous updates and new features. As long as your subscription is active, you'll remain supported and benefit from the latest features, including cloud integrations like Teams and OneDrive.

  • Temporarily stay on Office 2021 until October 2026
    This is technically possible, but after support ends, you will no longer receive patches. This significantly increases the risk of security incidents and compliance issues.

It's wise to make a choice now so your organization doesn't end up under time pressure when support expires.

How BeSharp Experts can guide you

At Technotex, we combine our role as a producer of high-quality lifting materials with our responsibility for safe use and a sustainable future. BeSharp Experts We advise you in choosing the right licensing strategy. Our consultants have more than 20 years of experience in software and licensing consulting and successfully completed hundreds of advisory and negotiation processes. We help you:

  • when choosing between Office 2024 en Microsoft 365,
  • with tailor-made advice that fits your organizational strategy,
  • when purchasing licenses under the best possible conditions.

This ensures you have a secure, compliant and future-proof office environment.

Closing note

Office 2021 end of support is scheduled for October 13, 2026. Timely action prevents security risks and compliance issues. By upgrading to Office 2024 (supported until October 9, 2029) or switch to Microsoft 365, your organization will continue to operate securely and future-proof. BeSharp Experts is ready to guide you through this process and implement the best licensing solution.

Note: Support for several other Microsoft products will also expire in 2026. For a complete overview of all products and their end-of-support dates, see the Microsoft Lifecycle website: Ending Support in 2026 – Microsoft Lifecycle | Microsoft Learn