Microsoft's blog post yesterday made it clear that the Office 2024 will be available in a "one-off purchase" model, which will come as a relief to many compared to the uncertainty of the past. First up is a commercial preview of the volume-licensed Office LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) 2024 version, which will launch next month and be generally available by the end of the year. This release is particularly important for users with specific long-term needs. But what exactly is Office LTSC, and why should you pay attention to it? Let's take a closer look!

Differences between Microsoft 365 and Office LTSC

Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based suite of solutions that provides applications, security and storage for users. It gives you the opportunity to achieve more in a connected world. It provides real-time collaboration, AI-driven automation and advanced security features.

In contrast, Office LTSC is a solution that provides long-term support but does not offer cloud-based services. The Office LTSC is specifically designed for regulated devices, manufacturing process controllers and medical test equipment where stability and long-term support are key, but is also ideal for traditional applications.

One of Microsoft's Office programs will be permanently discontinued

What's new in Office LTSC 2024

The Office LTSC 2024 comes with a number of new features, some of which are highlighted below:

  • New meeting scheduling options and search enhancements in Outlook: These innovations will help you manage meetings more efficiently and find the information you need faster.
  • Many new Excel features: New capabilities in Excel improve workflow and efficiency.
  • Improved performance, security and accessibility: The new version will be even more secure and user-friendly.

It's important to note that Office LTSC 2024 does not include Microsoft Publisher, which is being retired, nor Microsoft Teams, which can be downloaded separately.

Limitations of Office LTSC 2024

Although Office LTSC 2024 has many advantages, it also has some limitations:

  • No cloud-based service: Office LTSC does not offer the real-time collaboration and AI-driven automation that Microsoft 365 Apps provides.
  • Limited security and compliance features: The LTSC version does not include the cloud-based security and compliance features offered by Microsoft 365.
The normal funding period for the 2019 Office will end in a few days. What exactly does this mean?

Single purchase model

Microsoft's blog post yesterday made it clear that the Office 2024 will be available in a "one-off purchase" model, a significant improvement on the previous uncertainty. This means that users who do not wish to opt for a subscription model will be able to get the Office 2024 as a one-time purchase. Under the "one-time purchase" model, the product will receive five years of feature updates and 10 years of security updates. This option may be particularly attractive for those looking for a long-term, predictable cost solution.

Licensing and price

Office LTSC 2024 provides an asset-based "perpetual" license supported under a Fixed Lifecycle Policy. The price of Office LTSC Professional Plus, Standard and Embedded is expected to increase by 10% compared to similar releases of Office 2021.

Outlook for the future

Microsoft is also committed to a future LTSC release that will ensure that users with long-term needs can continue to rely on stability and support.

In addition to the Office LTSC 2024, the Office 2024 Home and Student version and the Home and Small Business version, which is designed for retail customers, will be available later this year.