Microsoft to end support for multiple products in 2026
Office LTSC 2021 and Windows Server 2022 among the products losing support.
1Microsoft's 2026 plans
October 2026 will be a busy month as Microsoft ends support for several key products. Following Windows 10, products like Office LTSC 2021 and Windows Server 2022 will lose support. Organizations need to prepare for these changes to avoid disruptions.
2Office LTSC 2021 support ending
Support for Office LTSC 2021 will end in October 2026, affecting all applications from Access 2021 to Word 2021. Users will need to upgrade to LTSC 2024 or switch to Microsoft 365. This transition may be challenging for organizations avoiding cloud solutions.
3Windows Server 2022 support termination
Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end on October 13, 2026, though extended support continues until 2031. Organizations must plan updates accordingly. Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will also lose support on the same date.
4Publisher 2021 being retired
Microsoft Publisher 2021 will be completely discontinued in October 2026. This application, existing since 1991, won't have a replacement. Its proprietary file format will also become obsolete, potentially requiring document conversions.
5Entra ID Sign-In risk policies deprecated
Entra ID Sign-In risk policies (formerly Identity Protection) will be retired on October 1, 2026. Microsoft advises admins to migrate to Conditional Access and update user risk policies. Without this update, sign-in protection will disappear, posing security risks.
6Time for organizations to prepare
Microsoft's 2026 support terminations will impact many organizations. System administrators must prepare now by creating transition plans. Failure to do so may lead to security and operational risks after support ends, affecting business continuity.