Microsoft Office has finally put the Office 2024 version up for sale. I, for one, couldn't wait to get my hands on it, especially since it’s designed for users like me—people who work from home. Essentially, it’s an alternative to Microsoft 365, which is based on a subscription model.
Meanwhile, Office 2024 is more directed towards home and business users, meaning those who either work from home, run small businesses, or just need elaborate personalized use. It offers a lot, and the experience of using it is a little different from its predecessors. In this article, you will learn all that there is to know about the new Office 2024 launch.
What is Microsoft Office 2024?
Office 2024 is out for sale, and it is being marketed as an alternative option for those who work from home. It is suited for people who either run small businesses from home, don’t require elaborate Microsoft Office plans, or freelancers who are a one-person or small team. It includes locked-in-time versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, and is only available for PC and Mac.
It has a one-time purchase price of $149.99, as opposed to the subscription-based model of Microsoft 365. This means you don’t have to worry about frequent renewals, but it also means that if there is a next major release, you would have to buy it at full price.
Microsoft is known to have a cloud-based subscription model, but despite this, it is great that the company considered the convenience of people who are remote workers.
Additionally, Office 2024 is compatible with Windows 10 and 11, as well as the three most recent versions of macOS. To utilize Office 2024, a Microsoft account and an internet connection are required.
Microsoft 365 by Microsoft Office is essentially a model designed for everybody, including people working in offices, homes, and businesses. However, Microsoft’s recent launch of the Office Home and Business model revealed different plans under the umbrella of Office 2024.
Where Microsoft 365 allows for all premium tools to be accessed, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access available across multiple devices like PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets, and Android phones over a subscription-based program, Office 2024 includes all classic apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for PC or Mac but does not come with any of the services associated with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Office 2024 comes in further two editions. Office Home 2024, priced at $149.99 USD, includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and is available for one PC or Mac. Office Home & Business 2024 costs $249.99 USD and includes everything from Office Home 2024, plus Outlook and the right to use the apps for commercial purposes.
How to Download Microsoft Office 2024?
So, if you've decided to install Office 2024 but are stuck on the installation steps, this guide on how to install Office 2024 will be very helpful. A common error many users make is forgetting to uninstall their older version of Microsoft Office before installing the new one. In this section, I’ll walk you through the steps, emphasizing the ones where you might encounter issues, to ensure your Office 2024 is set up and ready for use.
Uninstall the Old Version of MS Office
Before installing Office 2024 on your PC or Mac, it’s important to uninstall any older versions of Microsoft Office, as having previous versions can lead to installation errors. Here’s how you can check for and remove any older versions of Microsoft Office from your system:
Step 1: Search for "Control Panel" in the search bar and click to open it.
Step 2: Next, click on the "Uninstall a program" option under "Programs".
Step 3: Type "Microsoft" in the search bar or scroll through the list of programs to check if Microsoft Office is installed on your system.
Step 4: If you find a version of Microsoft Office installed, right-click on it and select "Uninstall" from the context menu.
Step 5: The Microsoft dialog box will now open. Click on "Uninstall", and the uninstallation process will begin.
These steps will help you easily remove any previously installed version of Microsoft Office from your system, simplifying the process of setting up Microsoft Office 2024 on your device.
Check Your System Type
Now, we need to install the Office 2024 apps on our system, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others. Before setting up Microsoft Office 2024, you’ll need to check your system type to ensure you download the correct installer. This can be a bit technical, as system types vary—some are 64-bit, while others might be 86-bit systems.
To ensure the installation runs smoothly, you need to make sure you're using the right Click-to-Run (C2R) installer that matches your system type. Let's first go over how to check your system type before moving on to the steps for downloading the correct C2R file required to set up Microsoft Office 2024.
Step 1: Go to the Windows search bar in the taskbar and search for "Settings", then open it.
Step 2: In the Settings window, click on the "System" tab and scroll down to find "About", then click on it.
Step 3: Here, you will find all the information you need about your system. Look for the "System Type" field and check your system type. Be sure to note it down somewhere.
Now that you know your system type, the next step is to download the C2R Office installer files. To do this, simply head over to Gravesoft and find the Offline Office 2024 C2R installer that matches your system type.
Step 1: Head over to the Gravesoft website and scroll down to find the table with C2R links and Product IDs.
Step 2: Once you reach the C2R links table, be sure to click on the "Office 2024" tab so that you download the latest version C2R link for installation.
Step 3: Since we're interested in all the apps, go to the row with "Home2024Retail" in the Product ID column.
Step 4: You will now have three different links to choose from. Select the column that matches your system type. For example, since my system is 64-bit, I will download from the "Online x64" link.
Install MS Office 2024
Now, we just need to install the Office 2024 apps on our system using the C2R installer files we downloaded earlier.
Step 1: Browse your computer and double-click on the Office 2024 C2R file to begin the installation process.
Step 2: A Microsoft Office dialog box will appear. Simply wait for it to finish downloading the necessary files and complete the installation.
Note: Ensure you have a stable internet connection to make sure the installation process runs smoothly.
Step 3: Once the installation is complete, click on the "Close" button to exit the Microsoft Office 2024 installation wizard.
You will now find the Microsoft apps installed on your system, such as Excel, but they still won’t be available for use, as one final step remains: Activation.
Activate MS Office 2024
If you try to open any Microsoft Office 2024 apps, such as Excel, you’ll see that it hasn't been activated yet in the Accounts tab and requires a product key.
To activate your Microsoft Office 2024, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Windows PowerShell on your system.
Step 2: Enter the following command to open Microsoft Activation Scripts:
irm https://get.activated.win | iex
In a few moments, the Microsoft Activation Scripts will open, displaying a list of options.
Step 3: Since we're activating Microsoft Office 2024, press "2" on your keyboard.
Step 4: Next, press "1" on your keyboard to begin installing Microsoft Office 2024.
Step 5: The installation will begin and complete within a few moments, activating Office 2024 on your system. Once done, press any key to exit.
Step 6: Now, go back to Microsoft Excel or any other Office app, and you'll find that Office 2024 has been successfully activated.
With your Office 2024 apps now activated, you can start using them to create documents, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations. However, using legal channels is always the preferable option. If you find Microsoft Office 2024 a bit too expensive, there are several alternatives available that offer more in terms of productivity and are also free to use.
My suggestion is to try WPS Office. My experience with its productivity apps has been nothing short of phenomenal in terms of functionality, simplicity, and capabilities. Plus, it also offers advanced PDF tools, which the Microsoft Office suite lacks.
Free and Powerful Alternative to MS Office for You
Microsoft Office 2024 is a great alternative for people who don’t want to pay for the entire plan yet enjoy a basic plan and pay fairly for it. However, at $149.99, it may not be the most affordable option for everybody. WPS Office has catered to home business situations long before the introduction of Office 2024, priced at $29.99. Users can conveniently benefit from the basic plan, including Writer, PDF, Spreadsheet, and Presentation, all for free, while also enjoying AI-inclusive products.
It is perfect for small businesses, and its compatibility across Microsoft Office provides a better approach to working with both tools under a single roof, allowing you to enjoy the features of both. WPS Office offers a solution for those who don’t want to pay anything at all while still enjoying the basic features of an office suite. With its modern interface, everything is in clear view.
WPS Office can be accessed on all your favorite devices, including both iOS and Android phones, and works across Mac, Windows, and Linux. It does not compromise on security, can also be used offline, and allows for document encryption, ensuring your data is safe and accessible whenever you need it. You can download WPS Office from their official website and install it easily, without needing any guide—it’s that straightforward!
FAQs
1. Can WPS Office provide an online version to use?
Yes, WPS Office offers an online version called WPS 365, where you can create and edit documents directly from your web browser without downloading software. It's free to use and provides a full suite of tools for efficient online work, including support for Word files, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and Forms.
2. Do I need to uninstall my old version of Microsoft Office before installing Office 2024?
It is advisable to remove any previous versions of a product before installing a newer version, particularly with Microsoft Office. This practice helps prevent potential conflicts and technical issues that can result from having multiple versions installed, ensuring a more streamlined and successful installation process.
3. What actions can be taken if problems occur during the installation?
If you encounter problems during the installation process, consider these solutions:
Restart Your Computer: A simple reboot can often fix various problems.
Ensure a Stable Internet Connection: Double-check that your internet connection is reliable and operating correctly.
Update Your Operating System: Ensure that your operating system is up to date with the latest updates installed.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software: Turn off your antivirus software temporarily while installing the program.
Execute the Installer as an Administrator: To do this, right-click on the installation file and choose "Run as Administrator" to grant the required permissions.
If you continue to have difficulties, consult Microsoft’s support page for troubleshooting steps.
Bottomline
Microsoft Office 2024 is almost like a modern version of what Microsoft Office's initial plans looked like. Although they presented a basic solution to your advanced problems, it lacked a little something that Office 2024 successfully managed to provide. However, WPS Office has long been catering to this problem with its significantly lower price point, and providing free access to basic features.
WPS Office is compatible across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, allowing seamless access to documents from any device. The user-friendly interface makes navigation intuitive, while offline functionality ensures you can work without interruption.
And the cloud storage integration allows for easy collaboration and sharing, making it an excellent option for small businesses and teams. WPS Office combines affordability, functionality, and flexibility, making it a great choice for nearly everybody!
