Microsoft Office to be discontinued?

Microsoft said in 2020 that the name of its well-known software, Office 365, will change to reflect the platform’s versatility. Microsoft Office’s software division was renamed by the tech business to Microsoft 365, which now includes many of the company’s subscription services. Microsoft wants to rename every piece of software it still has to reflect its versatility.

The Verge detailed the impending changes, which will rebrand Microsoft 365 or a comparable service as Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office software for Windows. The business intends to promote the adaptability of its products by removing the workplace from any technology advancements. Users shouldn’t worry about the apps Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint disappearing, as both the name and the core functionality will remain the same.

Excel, Word, or Powerpoint can now be downloaded from Office.com. That website will soon change to Microsoft365.com and replace its current square logo with a new six-sided one. The Office programme that can be downloaded on Windows or Macs will get a rebranding in January, while this update will happen the following month.

Any of Microsoft Office’s top applications, including Outlook, Teams, Powerpoint, Excel, and Powerpoint, won’t change its name. All the software will be conveniently housed in an improved Microsoft 365 app for phones or laptops. A consolidated location for Powerpoint files, Word documents, calendar updates, and more will be provided under the new umbrella programme.

All Office 2021 products are now available for purchase under the same name without any further changes. Since Office 2021 programmes are branded as a legacy product, any upgrades you obtain will only function with rebranded Microsoft goods. Regarding this structural variation, Microsoft commented that “Office 365 subscription plans” wouldn’t alter, but that users would need to download the newer apps in order to receive software updates.

For the past 32 years, Microsoft’s subscription applications have been referred to as Microsoft Office. In order to update its identity and appeal to a wider audience, the firm made the decision to rebrand a number of its products outside of Office 365. In 2019, the business renamed its Windows Defender App to Microsoft Defender, which was available for both PCs and mobile devices to download.

Even while these well-known items won’t fundamentally alter, some individuals are concerned that the rebranding will extend to other Microsoft-owned products. Many people may not be aware that Microsoft founded Xbox, leading some ardent players to speculate that the gaming system may adopt a name change similar to that of Microsoft 365. Thankfully, Microsoft doesn’t intend to change the names of its gaming products to reflect the name of the parent firm.

Microsoft Office applications like Word and Powerpoint are currently available for free download. To get Microsoft 365 and all the current versions, the membership is a little more expensive. Microsoft 365 family plans start at $100 annually, while single plans cost $70. Additionally, Microsoft 365 Family is available for a 30-day trial period, after which $10 per month payments are required.