Visual refresh of Office apps for Windows 10 and Windows 11


  • Staff
Hi, Office Insiders! I’m Kori Loomis, a Program Manager on the Office Experience team. I am delighted to share with you the visual refresh of the Office desktop apps for Windows 10 and Windows 11. This visual update delivers a simple and more coherent experience across the Office apps you depend on, so that you can focus on your work more easily.

Visual refresh

As announced last week, the newly released Windows 11 OS will be available this week to Dev Channel users in the Windows Insiders program, and offer a new, fresh user experience. In alignment with this release, we are also releasing an Office visual refresh that will shine on the new Windows 11 OS, but will also be available to anyone using Windows 10.

Zoomed-in-view-of-WXP-in-default-theme-in-SV.png

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on Windows 11

This Office visual refresh is based on feedback from customers who asked for a more natural and consistent experience within and between your applications, specifically on Windows. With this update, we deliver an intuitive, coherent, and familiar user interface, using the Fluent Design principles, across all your applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Project, Publisher, and Visio. We aligned this visual refresh with the design of Windows 11 to provide seamless experiences on your PC.



How it works

This visual refresh will be automatically available to any Office Insiders running Beta Channel builds. It can easily be turned off using the Coming Soon feature, located in the top right corner of the menu. In Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote, simply click the megaphone icon to open the Coming Soon pane, read more about the visual refresh changes, and use the toggle to move between the new and current interface, and apply the setting to all the Office apps.

csDemo.gif

Coming Soon feature

Also note that:
  • The Coming Soon feature is not available in Access, Project, Publisher, or Visio. If you turn on the visual refresh in any of the 4 apps mentioned above (Work Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote), it will also be available in these 4 apps.
  • Though the Coming Soon feature is available in Outlook, it can’t be used to turn the visual refresh on and off. If you turn on the visual refresh in any of the 4 apps mentioned above (Work Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote), it will also be available in Outlook.
Scenarios to try
  • Create your pitch deck in PowerPoint while referencing Word and Excel for the information you need. Notice the default neutral color palette, customizable ribbon, and soft corners, across these three apps.

    Excel-and-PPT-in-SV_NEW.png

    Working on Excel and PowerPoint on Windows 11
  • Share your presentation using Outlook and notice the cohesive interface which helps you stay in the flow.

    Outlook-in-SV_NEW.png

    Sharing a deck in Outlook on Windows 11
  • Review a blog draft you had written in Word with your teammates. Notice the colorful presence indicators in the top right corner of the menu bar, which help you quickly find where your teammates are co-authoring in real time.

    Word-in-SV-with-collaborators_NEW.png

    Collaborating in Word on Windows 11
Tips & Tricks
  • Office theme: Office now matches your Windows theme so you can experience the visual refresh in whichever Office theme you prefer, including black (Dark Mode), white, colorful, or dark grey.

    Dark-Mode-in-Word-in-SV_NEW.png

    Word and Windows 11 in Dark Mode
  • Quick Access toolbar: It is now hidden by default to make your interface simpler. To display it again, simply right-click the ribbon or click the Ribbon Display Options icon, and then click Show Quick Access Toolbar.
Known issues
  • The team’s focus has been on primary app surfaces like the ribbon and document canvas. As a result, there will still be some color and style inconsistencies across different UI surfaces. The backstage (i.e. File menu) is not yet updated.
  • There is currently a bug with animations in our apps on Windows 11, which can make transitions look less polished.
  • The Mica background effect has not yet been added to our apps. It will be coming in a future update.
  • The preview gallery for Data types and Shapes have a color bug in dark grey theme. Please expand the gallery to view contents while we resolve this issue.
  • There is a bug where the document title appears misaligned within the title bar.
Availability

(7/2) UPDATE: We apologize for the delay in making this much anticipated visual refresh available to you. We expect to release a new build, with this update, next week.

This visual refresh is available to Beta Channel users running build Version 2107 Build 14228.20000 or later on Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Feedback

We’d love your feedback, so please let us know what you think. To get in touch, do one of the following and add #OfficeRefresh to your comment:
  • Inside the app, click Help > Feedback, and then tap I like something, I don’t like something, or I have an idea.
  • Respond to this post by clicking the Was this information useful? button at the bottom of the post.
  • Tweet at @OfficeInsider.

Learn what other information you should include in your feedback to ensure it’s actionable and reaches the right people. We’re excited to hear from you!

Sign up for the Office Insider newsletter and get the latest information about Insider features in your inbox once a month!
Click to expand...


Source: Office Insiders
 

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Last edited:
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atinfo said:
@SM03 I am on Office 2021 LTSC version. The MICA effect isn't available for the LTSC version. There is no way to implement that on this version.
Click to expand...
am on 2021 LTSC latest retail ring, & here is the screenshot after adding the MICA via REG settings

Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\ExternalFeatureOverrides\word]
"Microsoft.Office.UXPlatform.FluentSVRefresh"="true"
"Microsoft.Office.UXPlatform.RibbonTouchOptimization"="true"
"Microsoft.Office.UXPlatform.FluentSVRibbonOptionsMenu"="true"

not sure though whether this is the proper MICA effect or not, someone enlightens me.
1.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Latest Retail Build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Assembled Intel 12th Gen based Desktop PC
    CPU
    i5-125400
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF GAMING B660 Wifi D4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 32 GB [16GB x2 Dual Channel] @3200Mhz CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5X OC Edition
    Sound Card
    Motherboard Realtek UDA DTS Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 24 Inch LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    1. SSD: NVME M.2 2280 Gen3x4 WD Blue SN570 250GB
    2. HDD: Seagate 2TB @5400
    PSU
    Cooler Master Extreme 600W
    Case
    Gigabyte C200
    Cooling
    6 Arctic Chassis Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K295 Wireless M&K Combo
    Mouse
    Logitech Gaming G102 LightSync
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Fiber Broadband
    Browser
    Chrome+Firefox (Latest always)
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security (Latest always)
    Other Info
    MyDesk
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro Latest Build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Assembled Intel 13th Gen based Desktop PC
    CPU
    Intel 13th Gen i5-13600KF
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WIFI D4
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix DDR4 32GB [16GB x2 Dual Channel] @3600 CL16
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Motherboard Realtek UDA DTS Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hisense 43" 4K TV
    Screen Resolution
    4096 * 2160 (4K)
    Hard Drives
    1. SSD1: NVME PCI-e Gen4x4 Kingstone KC3000 [500 GB]
    2. SSD2: NVME PCI-e Gen4x4 Adata XPG S70 Blade [1 TB]
    3. HDD 1: Seagate 4 TB
    4. HDD 2: WD BLUE 1TB
    PSU
    Cooler Master MWE V2 650W Gold Fully Modular
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterBox MB540 ARGB
    Cooling
    Deepcool AK400 Zero Dark Edition (with 5 Arctic 120mm & 240mm Case Fans)
    Mouse
    Logitech G304 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Optical Fiber Broadband
    Browser
    Google+Firefox (Latest)
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security (Latest)
    Other Info
    MyDesk-Gaming
Where is the MICA effect? (I can't recognize it in your SS). I'll apply the keys and will upload an SS here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    i7
    Hard Drives
    SSD
:woozy:

ss1.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    i7
    Hard Drives
    SSD
atinfo said:
:woozy:

View attachment 35090
Click to expand...
@atinfo
that's why I told not sure about the MICA effect in my earlier comment as I've never experienced it personally,
so no way to get MICA in LTSC? Then what to do in order to get MICA effect? Any other branch except LTSC pro or what?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Latest Retail Build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Assembled Intel 12th Gen based Desktop PC
    CPU
    i5-125400
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF GAMING B660 Wifi D4
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 32 GB [16GB x2 Dual Channel] @3200Mhz CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5X OC Edition
    Sound Card
    Motherboard Realtek UDA DTS Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 24 Inch LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    1. SSD: NVME M.2 2280 Gen3x4 WD Blue SN570 250GB
    2. HDD: Seagate 2TB @5400
    PSU
    Cooler Master Extreme 600W
    Case
    Gigabyte C200
    Cooling
    6 Arctic Chassis Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K295 Wireless M&K Combo
    Mouse
    Logitech Gaming G102 LightSync
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Fiber Broadband
    Browser
    Chrome+Firefox (Latest always)
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security (Latest always)
    Other Info
    MyDesk
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro Latest Build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Assembled Intel 13th Gen based Desktop PC
    CPU
    Intel 13th Gen i5-13600KF
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk WIFI D4
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix DDR4 32GB [16GB x2 Dual Channel] @3600 CL16
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Motherboard Realtek UDA DTS Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hisense 43" 4K TV
    Screen Resolution
    4096 * 2160 (4K)
    Hard Drives
    1. SSD1: NVME PCI-e Gen4x4 Kingstone KC3000 [500 GB]
    2. SSD2: NVME PCI-e Gen4x4 Adata XPG S70 Blade [1 TB]
    3. HDD 1: Seagate 4 TB
    4. HDD 2: WD BLUE 1TB
    PSU
    Cooler Master MWE V2 650W Gold Fully Modular
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterBox MB540 ARGB
    Cooling
    Deepcool AK400 Zero Dark Edition (with 5 Arctic 120mm & 240mm Case Fans)
    Mouse
    Logitech G304 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Optical Fiber Broadband
    Browser
    Google+Firefox (Latest)
    Antivirus
    Eset Internet Security (Latest)
    Other Info
    MyDesk-Gaming
The contrast of SS below has been reduced to show MICA effect more clear (the source image has less clarity and is hard to recognize MICA). If you like, you can check the link below (image and article source on reddit) to get more info about MICA on Office apps. First time I read it, I was glad to hear MS is bringing MICA to Office, but as always, they did it selective (class discrimination)! Not fair. Just Office 365 and Insiders can switch to this new Refresh (ruined) UI, not LTSC users! I am not a fan of new Ribbon and its monster title bar and window controller buttons (I hate it). But MICA, I love it much.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/qjvk3s

ss1.png

Apple has done it more perfect (about ten years ago, just by one update for the OS, not app by app!). The ridiclus thing is in Windows only the Wallpaper gets blurry effect (for better performance!). In Mac OS, every app under current app would get this blurry effect.
I am not a programmer. AFAIK, Windows apps have to switch to XML programming (coding) to be able to get this effect.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    i7
    Hard Drives
    SSD
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