Microsoft Access · Rumors vs. Facts
Is Microsoft Access Being Discontinued?
Short answer: No. Microsoft has not announced a retirement date for Access. It's still included in Microsoft 365, it's still sold on its own, and the current version is supported through October 9, 2029. What is being retired in 2026 is Microsoft Publisher, and that's where much of the confusion comes from.
If you've heard that Access is going away and you have a business running on an Access database, the worry is understandable. The rumor has been around for years, and 2026 has given it new life. Here's where it comes from, what's actually true, and what, if anything, you need to do.
Publisher Is Being Retired. Access Isn't.
Microsoft Publisher has a formal retirement notice. Microsoft 365 subscribers lose access to Publisher after October 1, 2026, and support for perpetual versions of Publisher ends October 13, 2026, along with Office 2021.
Access has no such notice. For years, Access and Publisher were the two "extra" apps that showed up in the more expensive Office bundles and on Windows only, so many people assume that if one is going, the other must be next. That's not what Microsoft has announced.
| Microsoft Publisher | Microsoft Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement announced? | Yes | No |
| In Microsoft 365 after October 2026? | No, removed after October 1, 2026 | Yes |
| Current perpetual version | None after Office 2021 | Access 2024 / LTSC 2024, supported to October 9, 2029 |
| New features being released? | No | Yes |
Where the "Access Is Discontinued" Rumor Comes From
Most of the rumor is built on things that really happened, just not the thing people conclude from them:
- Publisher's retirement, covered above.
- Version deadlines. Access 2016 and 2019 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and Access 2021 reaches it on October 13, 2026. A version ending isn't the product ending. See the full support lifecycle.
- Access isn't in the cheaper Office bundles. Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business 2024 don't include Access, so people who buy them think it's gone.
- Access web apps really were retired. The browser-based Access Services in SharePoint and Office 365 were shut down years ago. The desktop Access that businesses rely on was not affected.
- Microsoft talks about Power Apps much more. Microsoft's biggest investment in business apps is in Power Platform, which makes Access look abandoned even though it isn't.
Evidence Access Is Still Alive
- It's included, for Windows PCs, in most Microsoft 365 plans that include the desktop Office apps.
- Microsoft still sells Access 2024 as a standalone product, and Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 includes it for volume-licensed organizations.
- Access LTSC 2024 is supported through October 9, 2029.
- Microsoft's Access team is still shipping features, including a modern SQL query editor, modern charts, and zoom in forms and datasheets.
Where to Get Access in 2026
| Option | Includes Access? |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 plans with desktop apps (e.g. Personal, Family, Apps for business, Business Standard, Business Premium, E3/E5) | Yes, on Windows PCs |
| Web-only Microsoft 365 plans (e.g. Business Basic) | No |
| Access 2024 (standalone, one-time purchase) | Yes, supported to October 9, 2029 |
| Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 (volume licensing) | Yes, supported to October 9, 2029 |
| Office Home 2024 / Office Home & Business 2024 | No |
| Any version of Office for Mac | No. Access has never run on Mac. |
Plan contents change, so confirm on Microsoft's plan comparison page before you buy.
What You Should Actually Worry About
Access disappearing isn't the real risk. These are:
- Running an unsupported version. If you're on Access 2016, 2019, or 2021, see what the Access 2021 deadline means and your three options.
- A database that's outgrown Access. More users, remote workers, and growing data put strain on a shared file. The 15 signs it's time to leave checklist helps you tell.
- Depending on one person. If only one person understands how the database works, that's a bigger risk than anything Microsoft is doing.
And if your database has already stopped working, start with what to do first when an Access database breaks.
Common Questions
Is Microsoft Access being discontinued in 2026?
No. Microsoft hasn't announced a retirement date for Access. Microsoft Publisher is the app being retired in 2026. Access 2021 reaches end of support on October 13, 2026, but Access itself continues in Microsoft 365 and Access 2024.
Is Access being removed from Microsoft 365 like Publisher?
No. Publisher is being removed from Microsoft 365 after October 1, 2026. Access has no removal or retirement notice.
Can I still buy Microsoft Access?
Yes. You can buy Access 2024 as a standalone one-time purchase, get it through most Microsoft 365 plans that include desktop apps, or get it through Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 with volume licensing.
Why isn't Access in my new version of Office?
Office Home 2024 and Office Home & Business 2024 don't include Access, and Access isn't available on Mac. You need a Microsoft 365 plan with desktop apps, standalone Access 2024, or Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024.
Want a straight answer about your database?
Get a free, no-obligation review of your Access version, your risk level, and whether you should keep it, upgrade it, or plan a move.
Book a Free Access Database Assessment →Assessments are provided by Access Evolved, a Microsoft Access and Power Platform consultancy.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026
- Microsoft Support: What's new in Access for Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Learn: Product lifecycle search and policies
Support dates and plan contents are subject to change. Always confirm current status with Microsoft.