Microsoft has confirmed that the comprehensive versions of its Office suite of apps are now available for purchase from the Windows 10 Store, having received their official release on June 15.
This launch follows the schedule that was outlined by officials from the company earlier during the year. The complete version of this Office app suite has been made available at the Windows Store via the bridge called Project Centennial. News of the release, referred to by the software company as Office in the Windows Store, was leaked into the public domain by The Walking Cat – which has developed a reputation for revealing Microsoft’s plans in advance and who found a support article outing the latest Office version.
This article states that the version of Office that has been released to the Windows Store is basically the same one that customers have become used to, with its availability in this way being the major change. The initial Office Centennial apps are ready for rolling out, with the revamped processes for updating and installation currently at the preview stage. Furthermore, those customers who have begun using the brand new Microsoft laptop called Surface, which was also launched this month, could find this version of Office to be of particular interest to them.
This is because the tech firm has guaranteed anyone who purchases one of them a subscription to its Office 365 Personal plan for a year, at no cost. They will have the option of downloading and deploying the apps, called Office in the Windows Store, via this subscription if they wish.
In addition to these customers, those with subscriptions to E5 Office 365 Education, Office 365 for Education Plus, Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal will be able to access them throughout the period they are in preview, which will allow them to use Windows 10 S for work purposes. Office 365 Business is not supported by them at the moment, so customers who are signed up to this plan are being encouraged to opt for a Windows 10 Pro upgrade, before adding one of the Office Business plans. The article also states that:
“When the preview period is over, other Office editions also will work on Windows 10 S, including Office Home & Student 2016 and Office Home & Business 2016. In 2018, Office 365 plans for business customers will also be supported.”
There are differences between the standard Office suite for desktop computers and Office in the Windows Store, with the latter only offering 32-bit installation, instead of having the additional option of 64-bit. It will also feature the version of OneNote called Universal Windows Platform, rather than OneNote 2016.
This seems like it could be another welcome new service for customers of Office 365.
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