In short: Office 2016 and Office 2019 have not received security fixes since 14 October 2025, and Office 2021 since 13 October 2026. The apps still open and your documents remain readable, but newly discovered vulnerabilities will no longer be fixed. To stay up to date without a subscription, the logical next step is Office 2024, supported until 9 October 2029.
End-of-support dates
| Version | End of support | Status today |
|---|---|---|
| Office 2016 | 14 October 2025 | No more updates |
| Office 2019 | 14 October 2025 | No more updates |
| Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2021 | 13 October 2026 | No more updates |
| Office 2024 and Office LTSC 2024 | 9 October 2029 | Supported |
What it means in practice
- What keeps working: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook open and run, your licence remains valid, and your .docx, .xlsx and .pptx files stay compatible.
- What stops: security fixes, bug fixes and Microsoft support.
- The real risk: booby-trapped documents received by email often exploit Office vulnerabilities. A version that is no longer patched stays vulnerable indefinitely. For a business, it is also a weak point when it comes to cybersecurity and insurance requirements.
Your options
- Office 2024: one-time purchase, no subscription, supported until 2029. The closest to what you have today.
- Microsoft 365: monthly or annual subscription, always up to date, with OneDrive storage. Our comparison Office 2024 or Microsoft 365 helps you decide.
- Keeping the old version: acceptable on an offline PC or to open old files, not recommended on a PC that receives email.
Moving to Office 2024 without losing anything
- Write down your email accounts and, if you use Outlook with a POP account, locate your .pst data file (File > Account Settings > Data Files).
- Uninstall the old version in Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Your documents are not affected.
- Install Office 2024 using Microsoft's official link and activate it with your key. The details are in our guide Install and activate Office 2024 Professional Plus.
- Reopen Outlook: for an IMAP or Exchange account, simply add it again; for a POP account, reattach your old .pst file.
Frequently asked questions
Does Office 2021 still work after 13 October 2026?
Yes. The apps keep working and the licence remains valid, but Microsoft no longer releases security fixes for this version.
Will my Office 2019 or 2021 files open in Office 2024?
Yes. The .docx, .xlsx and .pptx formats have not changed: all your documents open in Office 2024 without conversion.
Does my Office 2021 key activate Office 2024?
No. Each version of Office has its own keys. To move to Office 2024, you need an Office 2024 licence.
Until when will Office 2024 be updated?
Until 9 October 2029. Throughout this period, Office 2024 receives Microsoft's security fixes, with no subscription.
Ready to move to Office 2024? Our Office 2024 Professional Plus for 1 PC is delivered by email within minutes, with Microsoft's official download link and an invoice. For several PCs, see the volume licence.