The countdown on Microsoft support is quietly reshaping the security landscape for millions of users worldwide. Even as Windows 10 keeps running on hundreds of millions of personal computers, the company officially cut off standard security updates for it last year, and several other products are about to share the same fate. As Microsoft's update calendar moves deeper into 2026, the approaching end of Windows 11 SE and the Office 2021 productivity suite raises urgent new questions about security, upgrade costs, and how much longer people can safely stick with this familiar software.
Support end dates for Windows 11 and related versions
Microsoft's 2026 end-of-support documentation lays out a long list of programs and Windows versions set to "retire" in the coming months. Technically, these products will keep working after support ends, but users will no longer receive critical security patches. That means your computer becomes more vulnerable to new cyberattacks and viruses.
Specifically, Windows 11 24H2 is scheduled to reach end of life this October, exactly one year after Windows 10 lost support. Microsoft has already begun automatically updating some devices to version 25H2, which it introduced last year, and the upgrade will soon become mandatory for anyone still holding out on 24H2. Notably, this latest Windows 11 release brings only minor changes rather than anything groundbreaking.
The end of support for 24H2 will also mark the end of Windows 11 SE, since it is the last Windows version compatible with that platform. Introduced in 2021 as Microsoft's answer to Google's ChromeOS, Windows 11 SE is a streamlined, cloud-focused operating system designed specifically for low-cost educational laptops. This will directly affect schools and educational institutions that use these devices.
In addition, the 23H2 releases of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, as well as Windows 11 Enterprise and Education, will stop receiving updates in November. Around the same time, several versions of Windows Server 2022 will move from "Mainstream Support" to "Extended Support" on October 13, meaning they will continue to receive free security updates but no new features.
Office 2021 reaches its end and upgrade costs add pressure
Another key piece of news for office users is that the 5-year support period for the standalone version of Microsoft Office 2021 expires on October 13, 2026. Office LTSC 2021 for both Windows and Mac will reach end of life on the same day. To keep receiving new features and critical security patches without paying for a monthly Microsoft 365 subscription, users will have to upgrade to the latest standalone version, Office 2024.
The cost, however, is a headache for many. Office 2021 is frequently discounted heavily, and the productivity suite can now be had for as little as about 35 USD, but its successor is considerably pricier and rarely goes on sale. A lifetime license for Office 2024 normally costs 150 USD, although it is currently available at a promotional price of 120 USD.
In return for the higher price, Microsoft Word 2024 adds support for the ODF 1.4 format, new collaboration features, and better Document Recovery. Excel 2024 introduces new array functions that make it easier to manage data and complex formulas, while PowerPoint 2024 adds voice recording, digital ink annotation, detailed captions, and other video-related features.
Microsoft will also end support for a range of other products in 2026, including:
- Advanced Threat Analytics 1.X (January 13)
- Dynamics 2016 (various dates)
- InfoPath 2013 (July 14)
- Project Server 2016 and 2019 (July 14)
- SharePoint Designer 2013 (July 14)
- SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019 (July 14)
- .NET 9 (May 12)
- .NET 8 LTS (November 10)
- PowerShell and PowerShell 7.4 LTS (November 10)
Anyone running software on the list above should start planning an upgrade or migration now to avoid unnecessary risks down the road.
