Office 2021 is reaching end of support (EoS). What are your options?

Technology works best when it quietly gets on with the job. Unfortunately, software vendors occasionally force us to make decisions we’d rather postpone, and Microsoft’s upcoming end of support for Office LTSC 2021 is one of them.

On 13 October 2026, Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes and technical support for Office LTSC 2021. After this date, the applications will continue to run, but they will no longer be maintained or protected by Microsoft. This also affects products such as Project LTSC 2021 and Visio LTSC 2021.

For many organisations, this isn’t simply about upgrading Microsoft Office. It is an opportunity to review how staff work, improve security, and ensure your technology continues to support your organisation effectively for years to come.

Why Does End of Support Matter?

When software reaches end of support, it doesn’t suddenly stop working overnight. However, any newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain unpatched, compatibility issues become increasingly likely, and many cyber insurance, compliance and security frameworks expect organisations to maintain supported software.

In practical terms, continuing to run unsupported software means accepting increasing levels of risk over time.

For some organisations, that risk may be acceptable for a short period. For most, however, it is a signal that now is the right time to plan an upgrade rather than waiting until a future problem forces the issue.

Option 1: Upgrade to Office LTSC 2024

If your organisation prefers a traditional one-time purchase model and does not require the wider cloud services included within Microsoft 365, Office LTSC 2024 is the natural successor to Office LTSC 2021.

This option is often suitable for organisations that:

• Have devices operating in restricted or isolated environments.
• Require a fixed, predictable software platform.
• Do not wish to adopt cloud-first services.
• Prefer capital expenditure over subscription-based licensing.

Microsoft will support Office LTSC 2024 until October 2029.

For some organisations, this will be the correct decision. There is nothing wrong with choosing a perpetual licence when it aligns with your operational requirements but before making that decision, it is worth considering whether your organisation is missing out on capabilities that are included within Microsoft 365.

Option 2: Move to Microsoft 365

Over the past few years, we’ve helped many schools, charities and businesses modernise their Microsoft environments. In most cases, Microsoft 365 has delivered significantly more value than simply upgrading Office alone.

Microsoft 365 includes the familiar Office applications your users already know, but adds a much wider platform for collaboration, security and productivity.

Depending on the subscription chosen, benefits may include:

• Always-updated MS Office applications
• OneDrive & SharePoint cloud storage
• Centralised device and user management via Entra ID and Microsoft Intune
• Microsoft Teams collaboration
• Advanced security and compliance features
• Eligibility for Microsoft Copilot and future AI services

More importantly, Microsoft 365 provides a platform that can evolve with your organisation rather than requiring another major software refresh every few years.

Why Buy Through Spectrum IT?

Anyone can purchase a licence online.

The real value comes from ensuring you purchase the right licence, configure it correctly, and make full use of the services you’re paying for.

As a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), Spectrum IT provides both licensing and the expertise to support it.

Let’s Have a Conversation

If you’re currently using Office LTSC 2021, we’d be happy to review your existing licensing, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate path forward.

No jargon. No unnecessary upselling. Just clear advice to help you make an informed decision.

Contact Spectrum IT today to discuss your Office LTSC 2021 upgrade options and discover whether Office LTSC 2024 or Microsoft 365 is the best fit for your organisation.