On Tuesday, 13 October 2026, several Microsoft products that are common in small and mid-sized offices stop receiving security updates. The programs keep working, but every new vulnerability found after that date stays open.
What ends on 13 October
- Office 2021 (Home & Business, Professional) and every app in it: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, OneNote, Project 2021 and Visio 2021.
- Office LTSC 2021, the volume-licence edition, including Office LTSC 2021 for Mac.
- Windows 11 Home and Pro, version 24H2 reaches end of servicing. These PCs need the feature update to a newer version, which is free.
- Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2: Extended Security Update Year 3, the last paid year, ends.
- Windows Server 2022 moves from mainstream to extended support. It still gets security updates, so no urgent action is needed.
Next on the list: Windows 11 Enterprise and Education 23H2 reach end of servicing on 10 November 2026.
What to do
- Check which Office you have. In any Office app open File → Account. If it says “Office 2021” or “Office LTSC 2021”, plan the move.
- Choose the replacement. For most offices the practical choice is Microsoft 365 (subscription, always current, includes email and Teams). If you need a one-time licence, Office LTSC 2024 or Office 2024 is the current perpetual version.
- Update Windows 11 24H2 PCs to the current version through Windows Update or your management tool.
- Retire Windows Server 2012. If an old server still runs file shares, 1C or a line-of-business app, now is the time to migrate it to a supported server or to the cloud.
How we can help
As a Microsoft partner we audit licences, supply Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 for businesses in the UAE and migrate mailboxes, files and servers without stopping your work. See our Microsoft licensing page or call us for a quick inventory of your PCs.
Source: Microsoft Learn: Ending Support in 2026 — Microsoft Lifecycle
