Microsoft changes direction, intends to launch Office 2024 as a standalone version

Microsoft to Release Standalone Version of Office in 2024

Microsoft is changing its strategy by planning to launch a standalone version of its Office suite in 2024. This move comes as a surprise, considering the company's recent focus on subscription-based software. The new version, called Office 2024, is currently in development and is expected to be available in the third or fourth quarter of that year.

Shifting Focus from Microsoft 365

Microsoft has been placing a greater emphasis on its cloud-based service, Microsoft 365. This subscription-based service provides users with access to the latest versions of popular Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for a monthly or annual fee. However, the demand for standalone Office versions has not waned, especially among users who prefer a one-time purchase instead of ongoing subscription fees.

Office 2024: A Surprising Announcement

There was speculation that Office 2021 would be the last perpetual license version of the product. However, Microsoft's plans for Office 2024 clearly indicate otherwise. The existence of this upcoming standalone version was discovered within an internal preview build of Microsoft Office through the Click-to-Run (C2R) release API.

Features and Enhancements Awaited

While specific details about the features and enhancements in Office 2024 remain undisclosed, it is likely that this new version will incorporate some of the features currently available to Microsoft 365 subscribers. Microsoft is known for continually improving and updating its Office suite, so users can expect new and enhanced functionalities in the standalone version as well.

Stay tuned for more updates on Office 2024 as Microsoft continues to develop and refine its latest offering.