In a surprise 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 version, called Office 2024, is currently under development and is expected to be released. in the third-fourth quarter of the year.

The move comes as Microsoft is increasingly focusing on its Microsoft 365 cloud service, which offers access to the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Office programs for a monthly or annual fee.

But the company seems to have recognized the ongoing demand for standalone versions of Office, especially among users who prefer a one-time purchase rather than an ongoing subscription fee.

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

Specific details about the features and improvements included in Office 2024 remain confidential. However, the new version is likely to include some features currently available to Microsoft 365 subscribers.