Checklist when your version of Microsoft Office will stop getting security bug and software bug fixes, what Microsoft calls the “end of support“.
This is important because software updates are necessary for Office apps. Mainly because outdated versions are more vulnerable to hackers, particularly in the case of opening malicious emails, documents, or images. And, of course, these will compromise your system if you do not have the latest updates.
If you’ve noticed after reading this article that you’re no longer receiving security updates, it’s time to switch to a modern version. Like Office 2021 or Microsoft 365.
Support End Dates
Microsoft is still issuing security updates for these Office versions as of July 2024.
Windows 10
Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office will stop being supported on Windows 10 when it ends support on 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today.
That will affect anyone using Microsoft 365, Office 2024 or Office 2021 on a Windows 10 machine.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is always kept updated with the latest security updates, bug fixes and features as long as you have:
- A current Microsoft 365 subscription AND
- Have not paused updating AND
- On a supported operating system.
Windows 11 is a supported operating system for Microsoft 365 apps.
Windows 10 ends support on 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today and so Microsoft 365 apps will also stop getting updates.
Office 2024
Office 2024 gets support for Windows and Mac versions until 1 October 2029 about 4 years, 8 months from today
Office 2024 was released on 1 October 2024 with support for only five years from release date. That’s the same shortened support life as Office 2021 and Office 2019 have.
- Windows 10 ends support on 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today and so Office 2024 apps will also stop getting updates.
Office 2021
Office 2021 gets support for Windows and Mac versions until 13 October 2026 or about 1 year, 8 months from today .
That’s half Microsoft’s supposedly ‘fixed’ lifecycle policy of 10 years.
- Windows 10 ends support on 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today and so Office 2021 will also stop getting updates.
Office 2019 for Windows
Office 2019 for Windows gets security updates until 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today .
For mainstream support, the end date is October 10 2023, whilst extended support is 14 October 2025 but with an important exclusion…
- Microsoft has cut off support for connections to Microsoft 365 cloud services from 10 October 2023, see Office 2019 & 2016 lose an important part of their support
Office 2016
For mainstream support, has already expired on October 13, 2020 or about 4 years, 3 months ago .
Office 2016 gets extended support for Windows security updates until 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today but with an important exclusion …
- Microsoft has cut off support for connections to Microsoft 365 cloud services from 10 October 2023, see Office 2019 & 2016 lose an important part of their support
Windows 10 ends support on the same date – 14 October 2025 or about 8 months from today
Publisher ending
Microsoft Publisher is being discontinued (Microsoft calls it ‘end of life) on 13 October 2026 or about 1 year, 8 months from today .
From that date no version of Publisher will be supported. No security or other bug fixes for any Publisher.
Outlook (classic) for Windows
Microsoft says that the current Outlook (classic) for Windows will be supported until “at least 2029”. That applies to both Outlook 365 with Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024 with Office 2024.
This is part of Microsoft’s move to a very different ‘new’ Outlook for Windows.
No date in 2029 is given but it’s likely to be 1 October 2029 or about 4 years, 8 months from today . Because that’s the support end date for Office 2024 generally.
But there’s two big, huge gotchas to keep in mind.
- Microsoft is doing everything they can to switch people to Outlook (new) well before 2029. They’ve already announced a forced move to Outlook (new) in April 2026 for commercial users.
- The ‘2029’ end date isn’t written in stone. Microsoft could change that for any self-serving reason.
The main thing to keep in mind is that the change to Outlook (new) is NOT required, no matter what Microsoft tries to trick people into thinking. It’s quite possible to decline the switch away from the current Outlook or use the two Outlook’s at the same time. How to stop migration to new Outlook.
Outlook Lite
The slimmed down, mobile version of Outlook mobile is being phased out from 19 August 2024 or about 4 months ago
No Longer Supported
There are several Office apps that are no longer supported BUT any updates and security fixes are still available. Hackers take advantage of security holes in older software that’s rarely updated so it’s worth checking for anything that Microsoft has made available.
Office 2013
Office 2013 extended support ended on 11 April 2023 or about 1 year, 9 months ago . Mainstream support ended in 2018.
Office 2019 for Mac
Office 2019 for Mac had security updates until 10 October 2023 or about 1 year, 3 months ago . No extended support is available.
Office 2016 for Mac
No extended support was offered, and mainstream support ended in 2020.
Office 2011 for Mac
No longer receives security updates, support ended in 2017.
Office 2010
Mainstream support ended in 2015 whilst extended support ended in 2020.
Office 2007, 2003, XP, 2000, 97 and 95
Plus all older versions no longer receive security updates.
Head over to the lifecycle page at Microsoft to find out further information on which Microsoft products are still receiving security updates.
Mainstream vs Extended Support
So, what’s the main difference between Mainstream and Extended Support?
Each Office perpetual licence (i.e not subscription) version gets Mainstream support for several years when its first released. That means Office program might get new or updated features as well a bug fixes and patches for security problems.
After the Mainstream support has ended, Microsoft provides what they call Extended Support. Feature changes are dropped, but they will continue to issue security updates until the extended support period is over.
Microsoft 365 semi-annual users forced to monthly updates
Microsoft security apps arrive for Apple and Android for 365 customers
How to update your Microsoft 365 licence before going offline
