Microsoft to end support for Office 2021 soon: Here’s what it means for users

The end-of-support policy applies to all Office 2021 editions. Microsoft said customers using the software at home can continue using their existing installations, but it recommends upgrading to a newer version of Office to receive the latest features, performance improvements, and ongoing security updates.

For business, school, and enterprise users, upgrade paths may vary depending on how the software is managed by an organisation’s IT department. Microsoft has advised users to review their current Office deployment plans ahead of the deadline.

The announcement comes as Microsoft continues to shift its focus toward subscription-based Microsoft 365 services, which receive regular feature additions, security patches, and cloud-based enhancements. The company is encouraging Office 2021 users to evaluate newer Office offerings or Microsoft 365 before support ends.

With less than four months remaining until the deadline, users who rely on Office 2021 may need to plan their transition strategy to avoid running unsupported software after October 13, 2026.

(This article has been curated by Shivani P Menon, who is an intern with The Indian Express)