How to Check for Updates in Office 2021 Professional Plus
Keeping Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 updated helps ensure Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and the other installed Office applications receive the latest available security and quality fixes.
Office normally checks for updates automatically, but you can also check manually at any time from inside Word, Excel or another Office application.
Quick answer: Open Word → File → Account → Update Options → Update Now. Office will check for available updates and install them. If you see Enable Updates instead, updates have been disabled and should normally be enabled before continuing.
Important Office 2021 support notice: Microsoft support for Office 2021 ends on 13 October 2026. Until then, Microsoft continues to provide applicable security and quality updates. After that date, Office 2021 applications can continue to work, but Microsoft will no longer provide normal security updates, bug fixes or technical support.
How to Check Office 2021 for Updates
You can manually check for Office updates from Word, Excel, PowerPoint or another installed Office application.
- Open Microsoft Word.
You can also use Excel or PowerPoint.
- Select File.
- Select Account.
In some versions of Outlook this may appear as Office Account.
- Find Product Information.
- Select Update Options.
- Select Update Now.
- Allow Office to check for and install available updates.
You do not need to check every Office application separately. Updating Office from Word updates the applicable components of the installed Office suite.
What happens next?
Office will connect to the configured Microsoft update source and check whether a newer supported build is available.
If an update is available, Office will download and install it.
You may be asked to close Word, Excel, Outlook or other Office applications while the update completes.
When the process has finished, Microsoft should display a message confirming either that:
- Updates were installed, or
- Your Office installation is already up to date.
Save your work before starting a manual update. Office may need to close open applications during installation.
Does Office 2021 Update Automatically?
Yes. Most Click-to-Run installations of Office 2021 are configured to check for Office updates automatically.
Microsoft's update system periodically checks for available builds and downloads applicable updates when they become available.
This means you normally do not need to manually check every day.
Automatic updating
Office checks periodically and installs applicable updates without requiring you to manually search every time.
Manual updating
Useful after installing Office, troubleshooting a problem or when you want to confirm you have the latest available build.
It is sensible to run a manual check after:
- Installing Office 2021.
- Reinstalling Office.
- Restoring Windows.
- A PC has been offline for an extended period.
- An Office application is behaving unexpectedly.
- You suspect automatic updates have been disabled.
What If You See “Enable Updates”?
If you open:
Word → File → Account → Update Options
and see Enable Updates, automatic Office updates have been disabled.
Select:
Enable Updates
Then return to:
Update Options → Update Now
to manually check for available updates.
Office 2021 is approaching the end of Microsoft support. We would not recommend leaving updates disabled unless you have a specific technical or business reason to control deployment.
Can You Disable Office 2021 Updates?
Some Office installations provide a Disable Updates option under:
File → Account → Update Options
This prevents normal automatic Office updating until updates are enabled again.
Should you disable them?
For most home and small-business users, no.
Office updates include important security and stability fixes, so permanently disabling them can leave the installation exposed to issues Microsoft has already corrected.
There can be legitimate reasons for organisations to control update timing, such as:
- Testing compatibility with specialist add-ins.
- Managing large numbers of business PCs.
- Using centralised IT deployment tools.
- Working with specialist applications that require controlled software versions.
Temporarily delaying an update and permanently disabling updates are different decisions. If updates have been disabled for troubleshooting, remember to enable them again afterwards.
How to Check Your Office 2021 Version and Build
You can check the exact Office version installed on the computer from the same Account screen.
- Open Word.
- Select File.
- Select Account.
- Look under Product Information.
- Find the version and build information near the About Word section.
You may see information similar to:
Version: 2507
Build: 19029.xxxxx
The actual number will change as Microsoft releases newer supported Office builds.
Do not use an old article's build number to decide whether your installation is current. Office build numbers change regularly. Use Microsoft's current Office 2021 update history when you need to compare the exact version.
Checking which Office product is installed
The Product Information section is also useful for confirming which Office edition is actually installed.
This can help if you are unsure whether the PC contains:
- Office Professional Plus 2021.
- Office 2021 Professional.
- Office 2024.
- Microsoft 365.
- Another Office edition.
For more help identifying the installed product, see our guide to checking which Microsoft Office version you are using.
Office 2021 Update Channels
Microsoft uses update channels to control which builds an Office installation receives.
This is more important in managed business environments than on an ordinary home PC.
If your Product Information identifies the installation specifically as Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021: Microsoft uses the PerpetualVL2021 update channel for Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021.
Microsoft states that Office LTSC 2021 receives approximately monthly security and quality updates.
It does not receive an ongoing stream of new Office features in the way Microsoft 365 does.
An Office update does not upgrade Office 2021 to Office 2024 or Microsoft 365. Office 2021 remains the 2021 generation after updating.
What If “Update Options” Is Missing?
Normally the update controls appear under:
File → Account → Product Information
If you cannot see Update Options, there are several possible reasons.
Updates are managed by an organisation
A business or IT administrator may control Office updates through Group Policy or other management tools.
Different installation technology
Some older or specially deployed Office installations use a different update method.
Volume-managed installation
The installation may be configured to obtain updates from a company-managed source instead of directly through the normal Office interface.
Office needs attention
If the Office installation is damaged, updating may not work correctly until Office has been repaired.
Microsoft specifically advises that if Update Options is missing and only an About option appears, the installation may be volume licensed or Office updates may be managed by Group Policy.
On a work-managed computer, do not change update settings without checking with the organisation's IT administrator. The update configuration may be intentional.
Can Windows Update Install Office Updates?
Windows Update can also be configured to receive updates for other Microsoft products.
Windows 11
Open:
Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options
Look for:
Receive updates for other Microsoft products
Windows 10
Open:
Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Advanced options
Then check the option to receive updates for other Microsoft products.
For most Click-to-Run Office 2021 installations, the simplest manual check remains Word → File → Account → Update Options → Update Now.
What Do Office 2021 Updates Actually Include?
The original version of this article described updates as continually adding new Office 2021 features. That is not the best way to describe perpetual Office 2021 updates.
Microsoft's current Office 2021 update history describes releases primarily as security and quality updates.
Security updates
Fix vulnerabilities discovered in supported Office applications.
Quality fixes
Address stability, reliability and software defects.
Performance improvements
Some updates can resolve performance or application-behaviour problems.
Compatibility fixes
Updates can improve compatibility with supported Microsoft services, Windows components and Office functionality.
Office 2021 is not Microsoft 365
This is an important distinction.
Microsoft 365 is continually serviced and receives ongoing feature development as part of the subscription service.
Office 2021 is a fixed-generation, non-subscription release.
Keeping Office 2021 updated gives you the latest fixes Microsoft provides for Office 2021; it does not give you all newer Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 functionality.
What Happens When Office 2021 Support Ends?
Microsoft support for Office 2021 ends on:
13 October 2026
Microsoft states that there will be no extension and no Extended Security Updates programme for Office 2021.
After support ends:
- Office 2021 applications can continue to open and function.
- Microsoft will stop providing normal Office 2021 security updates.
- Microsoft will stop providing bug fixes.
- Microsoft will stop providing normal technical support.
- Newly discovered Office 2021 vulnerabilities will no longer receive the normal fixes supplied during support.
Updating Office 2021 after 13 October 2026 will not extend its lifecycle. Once Microsoft support ends, there is no Office 2021 Extended Security Updates programme to continue normal security servicing.
Do you need to replace Office 2021 immediately?
Office will not suddenly stop opening when Microsoft support ends.
However, if the computer is used regularly online or handles important business, customer or financial information, using an unsupported Office suite creates an increasing security consideration over time.
If you want to remain on a supported non-subscription Office generation, Microsoft Office 2024 is the current generation and remains within Microsoft's support lifecycle until October 2029.
Office 2021 Will Not Update — What to Check
If Update Now does not work, start with the simple checks below.
Check the internet connection
Office needs access to its configured update source.
Save and close your Office files
Open applications can sometimes need to close before an update can finish.
Restart Windows
A pending Windows or Office restart can prevent another update completing correctly.
Check whether updates are disabled
Word → File → Account → Update Options.
Check whether your organisation manages updates
Business PCs can use centrally controlled Office update settings.
Try an Office repair if necessary
If Office itself is damaged, Microsoft's repair process may be required before updating works normally.
Do not reinstall Office just because an update failed once
A failed update does not automatically mean the entire Office installation needs removing.
Restart the computer and repeat:
Word → File → Account → Update Options → Update Now
before considering more extensive troubleshooting.
Office 2021 Update Checklist
Save your work
Office applications may need to close during the update.
Open Word
Excel or PowerPoint can also be used.
Select File → Account
Locate the Product Information section.
Select Update Options
If necessary, choose Enable Updates first.
Select Update Now
Allow Microsoft to check for the latest applicable Office 2021 build.
Allow installation to finish
Do not interrupt Office while the update is being installed.
Check your version
File → Account → About Word shows the installed version and build.
Related Office Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I manually update Office Professional Plus 2021?
Open Word, Excel or PowerPoint and select File → Account → Update Options → Update Now. Office will check for available updates and install them.
Does Office 2021 update automatically?
Most Click-to-Run Office 2021 installations are configured to check for available updates automatically. You can still use Update Now whenever you want to perform a manual check.
Why does my Office 2021 say Enable Updates?
This normally means automatic Office updates have been disabled. Select Enable Updates and then use Update Options → Update Now to check for available updates.
Can I disable Office 2021 updates?
Some installations provide a Disable Updates option. For most users this is not recommended because Office updates include security and quality fixes. Managed business environments may control updates centrally for compatibility or deployment reasons.
How do I check my Office 2021 version number?
Open Word and select File → Account. The version and build are shown in the Product Information area near the About Word information.
Why is Update Options missing?
Microsoft says this can happen when Office is volume licensed or an organisation manages updates using Group Policy or other deployment tools. On a managed workplace PC, check with the IT administrator before changing anything.
Do Office 2021 updates add new features?
Office 2021 is a fixed-generation Office release. Microsoft provides applicable security and quality updates, but it should not be confused with Microsoft 365's ongoing feature-update model.
What update channel does Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 use?
Microsoft states that PerpetualVL2021 is the update channel used by Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 and Office LTSC Standard 2021.
When does Office 2021 support end?
Microsoft support for Office 2021 ends on 13 October 2026. Microsoft states there will be no extension and no Extended Security Updates programme for Office 2021.
Will Office 2021 stop working after October 2026?
No. The applications can continue to function, but Microsoft will stop providing normal Office 2021 security updates, bug fixes and technical support.
