MS Office 365 is the newest version of Office that is specifically designed for the Windows 10 operating system – into the next few years. One of the questions we often receive here on this site is, “Does Microsoft Office 365 come with the Windows 10 upgrade or installation?”
The answer to the question is simple ~ “No.” Unfortunately for
us ‘hard-drive based clients,’ now that PCs are moving away from software individually purchased & installed, most computing is centered around “Cloud Based” web programs and applications. Windows 10 and MS Office 365 (aka, MS Office 2016) are the same way, while they are two exclusive (but related) things. Win10 is the Operating Sys and Office is an App. And there are many good reasons for that – not the least of which is to enable “collaboration between two or more distinct parties being physically located some distance away.” By being “related,” it allows both Windows 10 & Office 365 to grow (expand/change & adapt) independently of the other. The old days of MS Office may be gone forever.
So then, Microsoft being one of the leaders in the computing/internet world (along with Google and other big corps), has seen the future but still offers its leading cutting-edge applications (like Office) on a “subscription” basis – some of which include Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. And they offer many differently priced packages for the various users out there. You can, for instance, purchase a “Home” version of Office (Personal) or a “Student/Teacher” version, or of course, the “Professional Version” or Small Business. And you can even order the product as a d/l (download) or via CDROM (for Mac or PC Keycard) . You can order an Office subscription for 1 year or for 5 years. You can even purchase a “1 Month” subscription.
And when you think about it, “cloud based” applications for say, 1-4 years make sense too (perhaps for students who are only in college for a few months out of the year — Adobe has already done this with their Adobe “Creative” and Reader line of products) – because that’s about the useful life of a top-notch, high-end computer these days too. Microsoft isn’t about to assume a loss by offering a permanent, never ending support & license agreement. (Windows 10 itself isn’t expected to live much longer than that.)
Our advice is to purchase a 1 to 3 year license. That should cover any near future upgrades to Windows 10 or Office 365 and make it backwardly compatible with older versions of Office as well.
See what’s available in the Office 365 Suite of Apps via Amazon.com by clicking here. As with all purchases, read the details closely before buying.