new version of Office Home and Business

Office Home & Business 2021 does not qualify for a free upgrade or a standard discounted upgrade to Office 2024; because it is a one-time-purchase license, you must purchase a new Office 2024 license or switch to Microsoft 365.^1^

Support status

Support for the consumer version of Office 2021 ended on October 13, 2026. The applications may continue working, but they no longer receive software updates, security fixes, bug fixes, or Microsoft technical support.^2^

Purchasing the computer and Office license in 2024 does not change that lifecycle date—the support period is based on the Office product version, not the purchase date.

Your purchase options

1. Office Home & Business 2024 — one-time purchase
   • Best direct replacement if you need the classic Outlook desktop application.
   • Licensed for installation on one device.
   • Receives security updates and fixes during its support period, but not future feature upgrades.
   • Office 2024 reaches end of support on October 9, 2029.^3^
2. Office Home 2024 — one-time purchase
   • The less expensive perpetual edition.
   • Does not include classic Outlook; choose Home & Business 2024 if Outlook is required.^4^
3. Microsoft 365 Personal or Family — subscription
   • Continues receiving the latest Office features and security updates while subscribed.
   • Supports installation across your devices and includes OneDrive storage.^1^

Microsoft’s published upgrade guidance does not list a trade-in credit or standard loyalty discount for an existing Office 2021 perpetual license. Check the Microsoft Store while signed in with the Microsoft account that owns Office 2021 for any account-specific or temporary promotion, but do not assume the previous purchase price will be credited.

Avoid unusually inexpensive “Professional Plus,” “LTSC,” or volume-license keys offered as personal-use licenses by third-party marketplaces. Those editions may not be legitimate consumer licenses.^5^

Before purchasing

Open Word → File → Account and confirm that the product is Office Home & Business 2021 and note the Microsoft account associated with it. Then:

• Choose Office Home & Business 2024 if classic Outlook is needed.
• Choose Office Home 2024 if Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote are sufficient.
• Choose Microsoft 365 if ongoing upgrades and multi-device use are preferable.

Your existing documents are not deleted merely by uninstalling or replacing Office, although Microsoft recommends backing up Outlook data before an upgrade.^1^

References

1. How do I upgrade Office?
2. End of support for Office 2021
3. Ending Support in 2029
4. Document access after upgrade - Microsoft Q&A
5. MS office problem - Microsoft Q&A