Stand alone Office version 2025/2026?


jimbo45

jimbo45

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Hi folks
Any news on forthcoming release of next version of Office (stand alone -- not subscription or Office/365. Ms did say there would be at least 1 more release of the stand alone version of Office. Office 2024 isn't an official release (at least not at retail) and Office 2021 is due to expire in Sept / Oct this year.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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@jimbo45

I'm not sure why yiou believe there is no official release of Office 2024. It's openly advertised as available by Microsoft - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/get-started-with-office-2024 and, of course there are the usual sources advertising 'cheap' Acitivation Codes. MS guidance says that the installation download should be obtained via an MSAccount and Acivation also has to be validated via an MSA

My understanding from reading MS Guides is that it uses that same installer as Office 365, but activates as Office 2024 when a valid Activation Code is applied., although I haven't checked that personally as I use MS Office 365 on up to 6 'family' PC/Mac devices.
 

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LeLibran said:
@jimbo45

I'm not sure why yiou believe ther is no official release of Office 2024. It's openly advertised as available by Microsoft - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/get-started-with-office-2024

My understanding from reading MS Guides is that it uses that same installer as Office 365, but activeates as Office 2024 when a valid Activation Code is applied., although I haven't checked that personally as I use MS Office 365 on up to 6 'family' PC/Mac devices.
Click to expand...
It's available but seems to be only legally available via Work / corporate deals. There are though "Unofficial" 3rd parties selling it on the web. I'm though happy with Office 2021 - especially as Publisher still works - but as does seem likely a 2026 /2027 version will appear with enhanced A.I capabilities (I find Co-pilot with EXCEL improving hugely very quickly and very useful in spite of generally negative comments about A.I on these Forums). I'll hold of on installing Office 2024 until later in the year.

The other thing is to be able to run publisher 2021 as a stand alone application in addition to the later versions of Office. I can't be bothered to re-do a load of stuff done in publisher (actually a decent product). I've a load of better things to do with my time.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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@jimbo45

Perhaps the 'confusion' about official availablity comes from the fact that Microsoft says in it's own guidance the installer download has to be obtained (and installation activated) via the user's MSA. I edited my initial response to reflect that extra infp.


Edit: I've just checked MS sales info and its listed as MS Office Home 2024 (at £119.99 in the UK) so presumaby not intended for 'business/commercial' use.
 

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Unknown. Release 2025/26 may come somewhere in 2027 or 2028. There is no release date known.
As I seen it now 2024 was the last release of their standalone Office products. But 2024 has some links like Office 365 does. (Visible inside your MS account page, 2021 does not.) The last real standalone version was Office 2021. In the mean time MS is constantly pushing users towards Office 365. They want money by using that monthly subscription. As of 1 July 2026 MS are ramping up their Office 365 prices again. Basic, $6->$7, Standard $12,50->$14, Premium remains the same; $22. This pushing towards Office 365 will not change.

I can see some reactions on their "Pushing policy" Office 2024 Pro plus and the max version of Office 365 pirated. Files are stored locally, versions are updated. That's why I stay on Office 2021 that I got officially. It will expire at the end of this year. What will happen then? If Outlook stops working that I will go to Mozilla's Thunderbird. Everything else will continue to work. Received never an automatic up-date for it. Found out there where some, when I pushed onto the update button. Played with 2024 on a VM. Could not see any major changes above 2021. So I skipped 2024 al together. All they are concerned that I have an official release and that's it. You can even get Office 2024 and buy along side it; a cheap license key. A good alternative because the official MS prices are all above $100....
 

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jimbo45 said:
Hi folks
Any news on forthcoming release of next version of Office (stand alone -- not subscription or Office/365. Ms did say there would be at least 1 more release of the stand alone version of Office. Office 2024 isn't an official release (at least not at retail) and Office 2021 is due to expire in Sept / Oct this year.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
Actually you can buy home versions of Office 2024 directly from Microsoft. Obviously they want you to buy a subscription to Microsoft 365 since they make it hard to find Office 2024.

Office Home 2024 ($179.99)
* One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
* Classic 2024 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote

Buy Office Home 2024 from Microsoft

Office Home & Business 2024 ($249.99)
* One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
* Classic 2024 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook

Buy Office Home & Business 2024 from Microsoft
 

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Incase no-one noticed

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License​

$89.97
StackSocial still has it.
 

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