As we inch closer to a new year, it’s the perfect time to look back at the whirlwind of 2024, especially for Microsoft 365 users. This productivity juggernaut has shown no sign of slowing down, with updates ranging from groundbreaking AI tools to the retirement of beloved legacy apps. A mixture of innovation, controversy, and a touch of nostalgia defined Microsoft 365 in 2024. Let’s break it all down for you.
This year, Copilot gained significant traction, positioning itself as one of the defining features of Microsoft 365. Copilot assists users with tasks like generating ideas, creating drafts in Word, summarizing email conversations in Outlook, analyzing complex data in Excel, and much more. Essentially, it’s like having a supercharged virtual assistant at your beck and call.
In September, Microsoft introduced Copilot Pages, a persistent and editable workspace feature that expands on Copilot’s conversational abilities. Think of it as combining an AI chatbot’s capabilities with the permanence of a shared, collaborative document. Need to brainstorm ideas during a meeting? Copilot can now capture, organize, and present them as a polished resource for your team.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Microsoft openly admitted that Copilot’s AI is still prone to generating "biased, offensive, harmful, or incorrect" outputs. Users are urged to validate AI-generated content carefully—a clear sign that there’s work to be done. But one thing’s for sure: Copilot’s journey is far from over. Expect to see AI playing a bigger role in Microsoft’s ecosystem as we move into 2025.
Why the decision? Let’s be blunt: Publisher couldn't keep pace with modern design needs. Its interface and feature set have languished as Microsoft poured resources into flagship apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Meanwhile, Microsoft Designer, the AI-powered design tool introduced in 2023, has already carved out Publisher’s niche, offering far superior graphic design and image editing capabilities.
By integrating AI into Designer, Microsoft has created a tool that crafts visually appealing designs as effortlessly as you describe them. Imagine verbalizing, “Create a modern-looking invitation for a tech conference,” and watching Designer automate the entire process. That’s the level of convenience Publisher simply couldn’t compete with.
Microsoft may have called it "built for today, designed for the future," but for many, Outlook’s missteps feel like regression.
Office 2024 includes updated versions of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote—all at a one-time price with no monthly fees. What’s more, users can work offline without worrying about recurring updates disrupting their workflow.
This release is music to the ears of businesses and individuals who prefer predictable, frozen-in-time software environments. However, it comes with trade-offs: Office 2024 users won’t receive feature updates, locking them out of AI-enhanced tools like Copilot.
Some skeptics argue that Microsoft is simply pivoting from a failed pricing experiment, as the initial Copilot paywall didn’t resonate with customers. Whether this regional change will spread globally remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Microsoft is doubling down on its vision of AI as an essential part of modern productivity.
Additionally, Excel expanded its formula toolbox by introducing PIVOTBY, GROUPBY, and REGEX functions, empowering users to streamline data transformations. For hardcore Excel fans, this was like Christmas morning—three times over.
Moving into 2025, expect to see Copilot center stage as Microsoft shifts its branding to reflect its AI-first agenda. Will the strides in artificial intelligence translate to a productivity renaissance? Or will users grow weary of constant changes? Microsoft 365’s next chapter is already writing itself—literally, if Copilot has anything to say about it.
What’s your take, fellow WindowsForum readers? Have you tested the new Copilot Pages, or will you be sticking to the trusty old Excel macros? Let the debate begin below!
Source: How-To Geek https://www.reviewgeek.com/microsoft-office-2024-changes/
1. Microsoft 365 Copilot: The Rise of the AI Assistant
Remember the days when Clippy would pop up uninvited in Microsoft Word? Microsoft’s Copilot is Clippy 2.0—but on steroids. Powered by AI and large language models (LLMs), Copilot is transforming workflows across Microsoft 365 applications.This year, Copilot gained significant traction, positioning itself as one of the defining features of Microsoft 365. Copilot assists users with tasks like generating ideas, creating drafts in Word, summarizing email conversations in Outlook, analyzing complex data in Excel, and much more. Essentially, it’s like having a supercharged virtual assistant at your beck and call.
In September, Microsoft introduced Copilot Pages, a persistent and editable workspace feature that expands on Copilot’s conversational abilities. Think of it as combining an AI chatbot’s capabilities with the permanence of a shared, collaborative document. Need to brainstorm ideas during a meeting? Copilot can now capture, organize, and present them as a polished resource for your team.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Microsoft openly admitted that Copilot’s AI is still prone to generating "biased, offensive, harmful, or incorrect" outputs. Users are urged to validate AI-generated content carefully—a clear sign that there’s work to be done. But one thing’s for sure: Copilot’s journey is far from over. Expect to see AI playing a bigger role in Microsoft’s ecosystem as we move into 2025.
2. Farewell to Microsoft Publisher
For nearly 33 years, Microsoft Publisher was the go-to tool for designing simple posters, cards, and newsletters—often serving as a stepping stone for amateur graphic designers. But this year, Microsoft put the nail in Publisher’s coffin, announcing its official retirement in October 2026.Why the decision? Let’s be blunt: Publisher couldn't keep pace with modern design needs. Its interface and feature set have languished as Microsoft poured resources into flagship apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Meanwhile, Microsoft Designer, the AI-powered design tool introduced in 2023, has already carved out Publisher’s niche, offering far superior graphic design and image editing capabilities.
By integrating AI into Designer, Microsoft has created a tool that crafts visually appealing designs as effortlessly as you describe them. Imagine verbalizing, “Create a modern-looking invitation for a tech conference,” and watching Designer automate the entire process. That’s the level of convenience Publisher simply couldn’t compete with.
3. The “New” Microsoft Outlook: Upgrades or Downgrades?
The revamped Microsoft Outlook was rolled out to all 365 customers by mid-2024, but let’s say the reception was…divisive, to put it kindly. While the new version promises a more unified and productive email experience, many users argue it’s a step backward. Complaints have ranged from a poor user interface to the loss of beloved features like unified inboxes or Exchange ActiveSync connectivity.Microsoft may have called it "built for today, designed for the future," but for many, Outlook’s missteps feel like regression.
- Complex rules creation? Gone.
- Advanced calendar customization? Lacking.
- The revamped interface? Clunky.
4. Office 2024: Back to Basics
In October, Microsoft refreshed its non-subscription Office suite with the release of Office 2024. For those who cursed Microsoft’s relentless push toward subscription models, this standalone package was a breath of fresh air.Office 2024 includes updated versions of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote—all at a one-time price with no monthly fees. What’s more, users can work offline without worrying about recurring updates disrupting their workflow.
This release is music to the ears of businesses and individuals who prefer predictable, frozen-in-time software environments. However, it comes with trade-offs: Office 2024 users won’t receive feature updates, locking them out of AI-enhanced tools like Copilot.
5. The Copilot Subscription Shake-Up
In a surprise move late in the year, Microsoft scrapped the $20 Copilot Pro fee for users in select regions, making AI features available at no extra cost for Microsoft 365 subscribers in countries like Australia, Taiwan, and Singapore. Sounds great, right? Well, there’s a catch: subscription prices increased across the board, whether or not users planned to interact with Copilot.Some skeptics argue that Microsoft is simply pivoting from a failed pricing experiment, as the initial Copilot paywall didn’t resonate with customers. Whether this regional change will spread globally remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Microsoft is doubling down on its vision of AI as an essential part of modern productivity.
6. Excel’s Evolution: Now with Python
Lastly, no productivity suite roundup would be complete without highlighting Excel, and in 2024, it received two groundbreaking updates that deserve a standing ovation:- Cross-App Automation Enhancements: Users can now sync survey data from Microsoft Forms directly into Excel, bridging a major usability gap.
- Advanced Checkboxes: Checkboxes can now drive and interact with Excel functions, adding flexibility to dynamic spreadsheets.
Additionally, Excel expanded its formula toolbox by introducing PIVOTBY, GROUPBY, and REGEX functions, empowering users to streamline data transformations. For hardcore Excel fans, this was like Christmas morning—three times over.
Closing Thoughts: What Comes Next?
2024 was a pivotal year for Microsoft 365. AI, inevitably, stole the spotlight, driving innovation but also stirring debates. Legacy products like Publisher took their bow, while new ventures like Python for Excel hinted at an exciting future.Moving into 2025, expect to see Copilot center stage as Microsoft shifts its branding to reflect its AI-first agenda. Will the strides in artificial intelligence translate to a productivity renaissance? Or will users grow weary of constant changes? Microsoft 365’s next chapter is already writing itself—literally, if Copilot has anything to say about it.
What’s your take, fellow WindowsForum readers? Have you tested the new Copilot Pages, or will you be sticking to the trusty old Excel macros? Let the debate begin below!
Source: How-To Geek https://www.reviewgeek.com/microsoft-office-2024-changes/
