Microsoft Access · Support Lifecycle
Access 2021 End of Support: What Happens on October 13, 2026
Support for Access 2021 and Office 2021 ends October 13, 2026. There is no extension and no extended security update program.
Short answer: your Access 2021 database will keep working after October 13. What stops is Microsoft's support: no more security fixes, bug fixes, or technical help. You don't need to panic, but you do need a plan.
What changes on October 13, 2026
Access 2021 was given five years of support and, unlike older versions, no extended support phase afterward. After October 13, 2026:
- No security updates. Newly discovered vulnerabilities in Access 2021 and the rest of Office 2021 won't be patched.
- No bug fixes. If a Windows update or another program causes a problem with Access 2021, Microsoft won't fix it.
- No technical support. Microsoft's phone and chat support won't help with Office 2021.
What doesn't change: Access 2021 keeps opening, your .accdb files stay the same, and your forms, reports, queries, and VBA keep running exactly as they did the day before.
So the risk isn't a sudden shutdown. It builds slowly: an unpatched security hole, a Windows update that breaks something with nobody to fix it, or a cyber insurance questionnaire or compliance audit that asks whether you're running supported software.
Which versions are affected
| Version | End of support | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Access 2016 / Office 2016 | October 14, 2025 | Already unsupported |
| Access 2019 / Office 2019 | October 14, 2025 | Already unsupported |
| Access 2021 / Office 2021 (retail, one-time purchase) | October 13, 2026 | Ending now |
| Access LTSC 2021 / Office LTSC 2021 (volume licensed) | October 13, 2026 | Ending now |
| Office 2024 / Office LTSC 2024 | October 9, 2029 | Supported |
| Access in Microsoft 365 | No fixed end date | Supported while your subscription is active |
This includes Access 2021 bought on its own and Access included in Office Professional 2021 or Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021.
How to check your version
Open Access and go to File > Account, then select About Access. If the product name says Microsoft 365 or Office 365, you're on the subscription version and this deadline doesn't apply to you. If it says 2021, LTSC 2021, 2019, or 2016, it does.
Check every computer that opens the database, not just your own. It's common for one office to run three different versions, and the oldest one sets your risk level. Don't forget anyone using the free Access Runtime to run the database without the full program.
Your three options
1. Upgrade Office and keep your database
Best for: databases that work well and serve a small team in one location.
Move to Microsoft 365 (continuously updated, no fixed end date) or to Office 2024 / Office LTSC 2024 (supported to October 2029). Your database file stays the same, and most databases open without changes. This is the fastest, cheapest path, but test first. The checklist below covers what tends to break.
2. Stay on Access 2021 for now, on purpose
Best for: businesses that can't upgrade before the deadline.
If you can't upgrade in time, reduce the risk while you plan: keep Windows fully updated, restrict who and what can reach the machines running Access 2021, keep tested backups of both the front end and back end, and set a real upgrade date. This is a bridge, not a long-term plan.
3. Use the deadline to modernize
Best for: databases that were already straining.
If your team needs remote or mobile access, has more users than the database handles comfortably, or depends on one person who knows how it works, you'll be paying for an upgrade to a system you've outgrown. Moving to Power Apps and Dataverse or moving the data to SQL Server may be the better investment. See the signs it's time to leave Access to decide.
Upgrade checklist for Access databases
Upgrading Office is usually smooth. When it isn't, one of these is almost always the cause:
- Back up first. Copy both the front end and back end files before anyone installs anything.
- Check 32-bit vs. 64-bit. New Microsoft 365 installs default to 64-bit. VBA that calls Windows functions with
Declarestatements needsPtrSafeand updated data types to run in 64-bit Office. - Check references. In the VBA editor, open Tools > References and look for anything marked MISSING after the upgrade.
- Check ActiveX controls. Older calendar, grid, and tree view controls may not exist in 64-bit Office.
- Test linked tables. Confirm links to SharePoint, SQL Server, Excel, or network files still connect.
- Test on one machine first. Upgrade one computer, run your daily tasks and key reports, then roll out to everyone.
- Upgrade everyone. Mixing versions across users is a common source of odd errors and corruption.
Common questions
Will my Access 2021 database stop working on October 13?
No. It will keep opening and running. What ends is support: security fixes, bug fixes, and technical help.
Is there an extended support period I can buy?
No. Microsoft has said there is no extension and no extended security updates for Office 2021 or Office LTSC 2021.
Do I need to rebuild my database to upgrade?
Usually not. Access 2021 and Access in Microsoft 365 use the same .accdb format. Test VBA, references, and 64-bit compatibility before switching everyone over.
Should I choose Microsoft 365 or Office 2024?
Microsoft 365 is a subscription that stays current with no end date to plan around. Office 2024 is a one-time purchase supported to October 2029, which means doing this again in three years. Most small businesses are better served by Microsoft 365, especially if they already use it for email.
Does this affect Access 2021 on a single home computer?
Yes, the same support end date applies. The risk is lower for a personal database than for a business system holding customer or financial data, but the security updates stop either way.
Not sure which option fits your database?
Get a free, no-obligation review of your Access version, how your database is built, and whether upgrading, staying put for now, or modernizing makes the most sense.
Book a Free Access Database AssessmentAssessments are provided by Access Evolved, a Microsoft Access and Power Platform consultancy.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: Product lifecycle search and policies
- Microsoft Support: End of support for Office 2021
- Microsoft Learn: Office LTSC 2021 reaching end of support on October 13, 2026
Support dates are subject to change. Always confirm current status with Microsoft's official lifecycle documentation.