In a surprising shift from its recent focus on subscription-based software, Microsoft is reportedly planning to release a new standalone version of its Office suite in 2024. This latest iteration, dubbed Office 2024, is currently in development and is expected to hit the market in the third or fourth quarter of the year.

The move comes amidst Microsoft’s increasing emphasis on its cloud-based Microsoft 365 service, which offers access to the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office applications for a monthly or annual fee. 

Microsoft to release Office 2024

However, it appears that the company has recognized the continued demand for standalone Office versions, particularly among users who prefer a one-time purchase rather than ongoing subscription fees.

Some had speculated that Office 2021 would be the final perpetual license version of the product, but the company’s plans clearly indicate otherwise. The existence of Office 2024 was first uncovered within an internal preview build of Microsoft Office through the Click-to-Run (C2R) release API.

Specific details regarding the features and enhancements included in Office 2024 remain under wraps. However, it is likely that the new version will incorporate some of the features currently available to Microsoft 365 subscribers.

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