ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Microsoft is ending assist and updates for Workplace 2021.
- You’ll be able to improve to Workplace 2024 or subscribe to Microsoft 365.
- You may also strive a distinct, free on-line or desktop workplace suite.
Microsoft continues to supply one-time buy variations of Workplace for individuals who don’t need to pay an everyday month-to-month or annual charge for Microsoft 365. However even these non-subscription variations can put on out their welcome, and that’s occurring with Workplace 2021.
In a new support document, Microsoft revealed that it’s ending assist for Workplace 2021 as of Tuesday, October 13. Because of this the corporate will now not present technical assist, software program updates, bug fixes, or safety patches, leaving the software program unprotected in opposition to vulnerabilities which will pop up.
Additional, Microsoft will cease updating the web assist and assist pages for the product. When you’ve got a query or drawback, you received’t discover the answer on-line, a minimum of not from Microsoft. You’ll nonetheless be capable of use the software program for so long as you need, simply with out the same old assist and updates.
Additionally: How you can get Microsoft 365 (formerly Office) for free – 3 easy ways
Microsoft sometimes ends assist for sure desktop merchandise in some unspecified time in the future. Home windows is the obvious instance. However right here, the deadline is a hefty ten years. On Oct. 15, 2025, assist ended for Home windows 10 after its debut again in 2015. Microsoft has thrown a lifesaver to individuals nonetheless on this model with its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, guaranteeing safety updates a minimum of till Oct. 12, 2027.
Launched in 2021, Home windows 11 nonetheless has an extended assist life forward of it. However every new annual iteration of Home windows 11 House and Professional will get minimize off after two years. At the moment, Home windows 11 23H2 is now not supported. Model 24H2 House and Professional version will hit finish of assist on October 13 of this 12 months. Help for model 25H2 will cease on Oct. 12, 2027. However with the brand new 26H2 version, you’ll be supported till Oct. 10, 2028.
Additionally: Microsoft Office 2024 now available without a subscription for PC and Mac
The one-time buy version of Workplace used to get pleasure from a for much longer assist interval, lasting for 10 years. Help ended for Workplace 2010 in 2020 and for Workplace 2013 in 2023. Since then, nevertheless, Microsoft has gotten stingier. Help for Workplace 2019 ran out after six years in 2025. And now assist for Workplace 2021 is ending after solely 5 years.
The doubtless motive? Microsoft desires to push extra individuals to its subscription-based Microsoft 365 product. To try this, the corporate has to make it harder for them to make use of the one-time license model.
Workplace 2021 customers have 5 choices
Now, what do you do if you’re nonetheless utilizing Workplace 2021? As I see it, you’ve gotten 5 choices.
- You’ll be able to proceed to make use of the software program with out assist. I’d warning in opposition to that simply in case any severe safety flaws pop up that may in any other case have to be patched.
- You’ll be able to improve to the 2024 model of Workplace, which naturally is among the suggestions from Microsoft.
- You’ll be able to transfer to Microsoft 365 with its month-to-month and annual subscription value. To no shock, that’s Microsoft’s different advice.
- You’ll be able to cease paying for Workplace totally and change to the free on-line model. The downside right here is that this one lacks lots of the superior instructions and options discovered within the desktop product.
- You’ll be able to surrender Microsoft and change to a distinct productiveness suite. Google Docs (together with Sheets and Slides) is freely obtainable. LibreOffice, Collabora Office, and OnlyOffice are only a few different free choices on the market. Until you depend on Microsoft Workplace for particular options and capabilities that you simply simply can’t lose, keep in mind that there are at all times options.
