Office LTSC 2021: Complete Guide
Office LTSC 2021 (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is Microsoft's specialized version designed for organizations that need stability over new features. This guide covers everything you need to know about LTSC.
What is Office LTSC 2021?
LTSC stands for Long-Term Servicing Channel. It's a version of Office designed for specific scenarios where organizations need a stable, unchanging version of Office that won't receive feature updates. LTSC is perpetual license software, meaning you pay once and own it forever.
LTSC = Long-Term Servicing Channel
A deployment option that provides a stable, feature-locked version of Office with extended support.
Key Features of Office LTSC 2021
No Feature Updates
LTSC receives only security and stability updates, not new features. The software remains consistent throughout its lifecycle.
Extended Support
5 years of mainstream support with security updates, providing long-term stability for critical environments.
Volume Licensing
Available exclusively through Volume Licensing agreements, designed for enterprise deployment.
Offline Capable
Fully functional without internet connection, perfect for air-gapped or restricted network environments.
Includes Core Apps
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, and OneNote (Windows only).
One-Time Purchase
Perpetual license with no recurring subscription fees - pay once, use indefinitely.
Office LTSC 2021 vs Standard Office 2021
| Feature | LTSC 2021 | Standard 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Updates | No | Yes (limited) |
| Licensing Model | Volume Only | Retail & Volume |
| Cloud Features | None | Limited |
| Support Duration | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| Target Audience | Enterprise/Regulated | General Users |
| Pricing | Higher | Lower |
| Activation | KMS/MAK | Online/KMS/MAK |
Ideal Use Cases for Office LTSC
Not Recommended For
- •General business users who benefit from new features
- •Organizations wanting cloud collaboration tools
- •Teams requiring Microsoft 365 integration
- •Users who want the latest productivity enhancements
Deployment & Licensing
Office LTSC 2021 is available exclusively through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs:
Enterprise Agreement (EA)
For large organizations with 500+ users, offering the best pricing and flexibility.
Open License
For small to medium businesses with 5+ licenses needed.
Select Plus
For organizations wanting to standardize on Microsoft products across multiple locations.
Activation Methods
KMS: Activates against your organization's KMS server. Requires periodic reactivation (every 180 days).
MAK: One-time activation directly with Microsoft. No reactivation needed.
Support Lifecycle
Microsoft provides the following support for Office LTSC 2021:
Mainstream Support: Until October 2026 - Includes security updates, bug fixes, and technical support.
Extended Support: None - Unlike previous versions, LTSC 2021 does not have extended support.
Important: Plan your upgrade strategy before October 2026 to maintain security compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade from Office LTSC 2021 to Microsoft 365?
Yes, you can upgrade to Microsoft 365 at any time. Your LTSC license remains valid, and you can choose to use either version.
Does LTSC include Teams?
No, Microsoft Teams is not included in Office LTSC 2021. Teams requires a Microsoft 365 subscription or can be installed separately with a free account.
Can I use LTSC on Mac?
Yes, Office LTSC 2021 for Mac is available through Volume Licensing. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
What's the difference between LTSC and Microsoft 365?
LTSC is a perpetual license with no feature updates, while Microsoft 365 is a subscription with continuous updates, cloud features, and additional services like Teams and OneDrive.
How many devices can I install LTSC on?
LTSC is licensed per device. Each license allows installation on one device. Users needing multiple devices require additional licenses.