Microsoft provides security updates for each Office version only for a fixed period. The Office end of support date therefore determines how long you can use Word, Excel and Outlook without additional risk. In this overview you will find all the dates for Office 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024 as well as for Project and Visio, learn what happens after the cut-off date and get a clear recommendation.
Key points at a glance
- Office 2016 and Office 2019 have no longer been supported since 14 October 2025.
- Support for Office 2021 ends on 13 October 2026.
- Office 2024 will receive security updates until 9 October 2029.
- Project and Visio have the same end dates as the Office version with the same year.
- After the end of support, Office keeps running but no longer receives security updates.
Office end of support: all dates at a glance
The following table summarises the official dates from the Microsoft lifecycle. They apply to the Standard and Professional Plus editions as well as to the other editions of each version.
| Version | End of support | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Office 2016 | 14 October 2025 | ended |
| Office 2019 | 14 October 2025 | ended |
| Office 2021 | 13 October 2026 | ends on 13/10/2026 |
| Office 2024 | 9 October 2029 | supported |
You can check the dates yourself in Microsoft's lifecycle entries, for example for Office 2021 and Office LTSC 2024. Microsoft gives the times there in Pacific Time, but the last day of support is always the date stated here.
Project and Visio: the same dates as Office
Microsoft links the desktop versions of Project and Visio to the Office version with the same year. This applies equally to Standard and Professional.
| Version | Project | Visio |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 14 October 2025 | 14 October 2025 |
| 2019 | 14 October 2025 | 14 October 2025 |
| 2021 | 13 October 2026 | 13 October 2026 |
| 2024 | 9 October 2029 | 9 October 2029 |
If you use Project or Visio for work, you should therefore plan the update together with Office. You will find details on the editions in our guides Buying Microsoft Project and Buying Microsoft Visio. Our comparison Project or Visio helps you work out which of the two programs you need.
Why the support period has been shorter since Office 2021
Office 2016 and Office 2019 still followed the classic Fixed Lifecycle Policy. After mainstream support there was an extended phase in which no new features were released, but security updates continued. For Office 2016 this extended phase lasted five years, for Office 2019 only around two years.
Since Office 2021 there has been no extended phase. The one-off purchase versions are supported for about five years from release, and then that is it. Microsoft does not offer a paid extension programme like the ESU for Windows 10 for one-off purchase versions of Office.
What end of support means in practice
On the cut-off date, nothing visible happens on your PC at first. Office keeps starting, and your documents can be opened and edited. After the end of support, however, Microsoft stops providing three services:
- Security updates: Newly discovered vulnerabilities are no longer fixed.
- Bug fixes: Program errors remain, even if they are known.
- Technical support: Microsoft no longer helps with problems with this version.
The real risk: manipulated files
Office programs process files from external sources every day, such as invoices attached to emails or spreadsheets from the web. Attackers exploit exactly that: they hide malicious code in documents, macros or attachments and target known vulnerabilities. Without updates, every one of these vulnerabilities stays open, and over time there are more of them.
Outlook is particularly exposed, because messages from unknown senders arrive through it all the time. If you work with customer or employee data professionally, you should take a particularly critical view of outdated software.
Connection to Microsoft 365 services
Many people use Outlook with an Exchange Online mailbox or store files in OneDrive and SharePoint. According to Microsoft, connecting to these services with Office 2016 and 2019 has no longer been officially supported since 10 October 2023. For Office LTSC 2021, support applies until 13 October 2026, and for Office LTSC 2024 until 9 October 2029.
Not supported does not automatically mean blocked. However, Microsoft no longer tests new features of the services against older versions, so sign-in problems, synchronisation errors or missing features may occur. You will find the overview on the Microsoft page Office versions and connectivity to Microsoft 365 services.
How to check which Office version is installed
Before you do anything, you should know which version is actually running on your PC. It only takes a few steps:
- Open an Office program, for example Word.
- Click File and then Account.
- Under "Product Information" you will see the name, such as "Office Professional Plus 2019".
- Via "About Word" you also get the exact version and build number.
If it says 2016 or 2019, support has already ended. For 2021, support ends on 13 October 2026. If it says Microsoft 365, you are using a subscription that is updated continuously.
Your options after the end of support
There are basically three routes. Which one suits you depends on how you use Office and whether you prefer to buy once or pay regularly.
Switch to Office 2024
Office 2024 is the current one-off purchase version, with support until October 2029. You pay once and receive a licence of unlimited duration for one PC. Standard includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote; Professional Plus also includes Access. Publisher is no longer included in Office 2024.
Matching licence
You can read what to look out for when buying in our guide Buying Office 2024. If you are still torn between the last two versions, the comparison Office 2021 or 2024 will help.
Switch to Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is a subscription with an annual or monthly fee. You always get the latest version and cloud storage, and depending on the plan you can use Office on several devices, including Mac and smartphone. As long as the subscription is active, there is no end of support in the classic sense. Our comparison Office 2024 or Microsoft 365 explains the differences between the two models.
Keep using the old version
Technically this is possible, but it only makes sense in exceptional cases. One example is a PC without an internet connection on which only your own documents are edited. As soon as you receive emails, open files from the web or use macros, the risk increases with every month.
How to switch properly
Changing your Office version can be done in a good hour if you prepare for it. This order has proven itself:
- Back up important files and, for Outlook, your data files (PST), or check whether your mailbox is stored on the server.
- Note down the account details for email mailboxes in case you have to set them up again.
- Uninstall the old Office version and restart the PC.
- Install and activate the new version. Our guide Installing and activating Office shows the steps.
- If you use Project or Visio, replace them at the same time with the matching new version.
Your documents are kept when you uninstall. Files from Office 2016, 2019 or 2021 can be opened in Office 2024 without conversion, as all versions use the same file formats.
Conclusion
Office 2016 and 2019 have been without security updates since October 2025, and Office 2021 follows on 13 October 2026. The same dates apply to Project and Visio. If you use Office with email, the internet and files from other people, you should switch in good time.
As a one-off purchase, Office 2024 with support until October 2029 is the obvious choice. If you want to use several devices or always have the latest version, you are better off with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Does Office still work after the end of support?
Yes. The programs keep starting and your files remain usable. However, there are no more security updates or bug fixes, so newly discovered vulnerabilities remain open.
Is there an extension programme for Office 2016, 2019 or 2021?
No. Unlike with Windows 10, Microsoft does not offer paid extended security updates for the one-off purchase versions of Office. After the cut-off date, the only option is to switch to a supported version.
Is it still worth buying Office 2021 now?
For most buyers, no longer, as support ends on 13 October 2026. Office 2024 is supported for three years longer and is the better choice for a new purchase.
Does the end of support also apply to Standard and Professional Plus?
Yes. The end date depends on the version number, not on the edition. Office Standard 2021 and Office Professional Plus 2021 reach end of support on the same day.
Can I open my old documents in Office 2024?
Yes. Office 2016 to 2024 use the same file formats, such as DOCX, XLSX and PPTX. Your documents can be opened and edited further without conversion.
Does support for Project and Visio end along with Office?
Yes. Project and Visio have the same end dates as the Office version with the same year. Project 2021 and Visio 2021 are therefore also supported until 13 October 2026.