Get all the details on the upcoming Microsoft Office LTSC 2024. Discover new features, pricing updates, and how this version caters to specialized scenarios. Learn more now!
Update April 18, 2024: Preview Now Available
Get ready, Office fans! The preview of Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 is here, tailored for those special cases where cloud updates just aren’t an option. Whether it’s regulated devices that can’t handle frequent updates, manufacturing equipment not connected to the internet, or medical systems that need stability, Office LTSC 2024 is the answer. The commercial preview kicks off next month, with the full release slated for later this year.
What’s New in Office LTSC 2024?
Office LTSC 2024 continues the tradition of offering a subset of Microsoft 365’s features, focusing on the essentials. Here’s a peek at what’s in store:
- Outlook: New meeting creation options and enhanced search functionalities.
- Excel: Dozens of new features including Dynamic Charts and Arrays.
- General Improvements: Boosted performance, security, and accessibility.
However, note that Microsoft Publisher won’t be included in this release, and the Microsoft Teams app will need to be downloaded separately.
The On-Premises vs. Cloud Debate
While Office LTSC 2024 brings significant improvements over its predecessor, it remains an on-premises product. This means it lacks the cloud-based capabilities of Microsoft 365 Apps, such as:
- Real-time Collaboration: Work together seamlessly with colleagues in real-time.
- AI-Driven Automation: Take advantage of AI features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Enhanced Security: Benefit from cloud-backed security and compliance features.
For those who need device-based licensing and extended offline access, Office LTSC is a solid choice. However, if you’re looking to leverage AI with Microsoft Copilot or need the latest features constantly, Microsoft 365 is the way to go.
Licensing and Pricing
Office LTSC 2024 will continue to be a device-based “perpetual” license, supported for five years under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. This coincides with the launch of Windows 11 LTSC later this year. Microsoft will also maintain support for deploying both Office LTSC and Microsoft 365 Apps within the same organization using common deployment tools.
A heads-up for the budget-conscious: prices for Office LTSC Professional Plus, Office LTSC Standard, Office LTSC Embedded, and individual apps will see a 10% increase at general availability.
Future-Proofing with Office 2024 for Consumers
For consumers, Microsoft is also gearing up to release Office 2024 later this year. This version will follow the traditional “one-time purchase” model and will be supported for five years. The good news? There are no planned price changes for these products. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the release date.
Embracing the Future of Work
In our rapidly evolving, AI-driven world, the cloud represents the future of work. For most scenarios, Microsoft 365 offers the most secure, productive, and cost-effective solution. It’s designed to help customers unlock the transformative power of AI with Microsoft Copilot. As we approach the end of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 in October 2025, we encourage users to transition to a cloud subscription that best suits their needs.
However, for those niche situations where a disconnected, stable solution is necessary, Office LTSC 2024 reaffirms Microsoft’s commitment to supporting those unique needs.
FAQ
- Will the next version of Office have a Mac version?
Yes, the next version of Office will have both Windows and Mac versions for both commercial and consumer users. - Will the next version of Office be supported on Windows 10?
Yes, Office LTSC 2024 will be supported on Windows 10 and Windows 10 LTSC devices (except for Arm devices, which will require Windows 11). - Will the next version support both 32- and 64-bit?
Yes, the next version of Office will ship in both 32- and 64-bit versions.
