The latest Office 2024 update was released on 8 September 2026. Retail copies of Office 2024 moved to version 2608, build 20326.20144, and volume-licensed Office LTSC 2024 moved to version 2408, build 17932.20976. Both are security and quality updates. Office 2024 does not receive new features after release, so nothing changes in how the apps look or work.
Below is how to install it, how to check which build you have, and two October dates that matter if you or your colleagues still use older versions of Office.
What is in the September 2026 Office 2024 update?
It is a cumulative security and reliability update. Microsoft ships one for Office 2024 on the second Tuesday of each month, the same day as the Windows updates. Each build contains every earlier fix, so a PC that has missed several months catches up in a single download.
| Office 2024 type | Version | Build | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail (Home, Home & Business, Professional Plus retail) | 2608 | 20326.20144 | 8 September 2026 |
| Office LTSC 2024 (volume licence) | 2408 | 17932.20976 | 8 September 2026 |
The two version numbers differ for a reason. LTSC stays on the 2408 code base it launched with and only the build number rises. Retail copies follow Microsoft's current code base, so the version number climbs each month, but the feature set remains fixed at what Office 2024 shipped with. In both cases you are getting fixes, not features.
How do you update Office 2024?
Open any Office app, go to File, then Account, select Update Options and choose Update Now. Office downloads the latest build in the background and applies it when you close the apps. By default this happens automatically, so most people only need to do it manually when they want the fix straight away.
- Open Word, Excel or another Office 2024 app.
- Select File > Account. In Outlook it is File > Office Account.
- Under Product Information, select Update Options > Update Now.
- Let the download finish, then close and reopen your Office apps.
If Update Options shows "Updates are disabled", choose Enable Updates first. On work PCs the option may be managed by your IT team, in which case updates arrive on their schedule. Microsoft explains the process for volume-licensed installs in its guide to updating Office LTSC 2024.
How do you check which Office 2024 build you have?
Go to File, then Account, and look under About Word, or About for whichever app you opened. The line reads something like "Version 2608 (Build 20326.20144)". If your build number is lower than the one in the table above, run Update Now.
A common issue we see is an install that has not updated in months because updates were switched off during setup and never turned back on. Checking this page takes ten seconds and tells you immediately.
Does Office 2024 get new features?
No. Office 2024 is a one-time purchase with a fixed feature set, and Microsoft's documentation states that it receives security and quality updates only. New features, including Copilot, go to Microsoft 365 subscriptions. What you get in exchange is stability and no recurring fee, which is the reason many people choose it.
You can see everything that shipped with this release on Microsoft's page covering what is new in Office 2024 and Office LTSC 2024.
Which October 2026 dates should you know about?
Two. Support for Office 2021 ends on 13 October 2026, and Microsoft Publisher is retired in October 2026. Neither affects Office 2024 itself, which is supported until 9 October 2029, but both matter if your household or office runs a mix of versions.
- Office 2021 reaches end of support on 13 October 2026. The apps keep opening, but they stop receiving security fixes. If you share files with someone on Office 2021, or still have it on a second PC, that machine becomes the weak point.
- Publisher is retired in October 2026. It is not included in Office LTSC 2024. If you have old .pub files you still need, open them and export to PDF or Word while you have a working copy.
We covered what happened when the previous generation reached the same point in our post on Office 2016 end of support and what to do next. The advice carries over.
What if the update fails or Office will not update?
Most failures come from a blocked connection to Microsoft's download servers or from an install that is partly damaged. Restart the PC, pause any VPN, and try Update Now again. If it still fails, run a repair before anything more drastic.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and find Microsoft Office.
- Select the three dots, then Modify.
- Choose Quick Repair first. If that does not help, run Online Repair, which reinstalls the apps and keeps your files.
A repair does not remove your licence. If Office asks for activation afterwards, sign in or re-enter your key, and see where to enter your Office product key if you are unsure where it goes.
Frequently asked questions
How often is Office 2024 updated?
Once a month, on the second Tuesday, with a cumulative security and quality update. Microsoft occasionally releases an extra update between those dates if a serious fault needs fixing sooner.
Is the Office 2024 update free?
Yes. Updates are included with your licence for the whole support period, which runs until 9 October 2029. There is no renewal or update fee.
Will updating Office 2024 remove your product key or activation?
No. Updates change the application files only. Your licence and activation state stay as they are.
How long is Office 2024 supported?
Until 9 October 2029. Office 2024 has five years of support from Microsoft, with security updates throughout that period.
The short version
Run Update Now, confirm your build number under File, Account, and note 13 October if Office 2021 is still in use anywhere around you. If you are setting up a new PC, our guide on how to download and install Office Professional Plus 2024 covers the process, and the Office 2024 Professional Plus licence is available in our store.
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