Microsoft Office 2024 is finally here—bringing a powerful, one-time purchase alternative to Microsoft 365. Whether you're a home user, a small business owner, or an enterprise IT manager, Office 2024 offers tailored solutions through editions like Office Home & Business 2024, Office Professional Plus 2024, and the enterprise-focused Office LTSC 2024.
Explore the new features, editions, and download options for Microsoft Office 2024 in this complete guide for home and business users. If you're interested in trying Office 2024 before committing, there are options for a Microsoft Office free download to get started.
Basic Information of MS Office 2024
Before deciding whether to upgrade, let’s first explore what MS Office 2024 offers, including its versions, new features, and official release timeline.
What is the Office 2024 product?
Microsoft Office 2024 is the latest one-time purchase (perpetual license) productivity suite—perfect for home users, small businesses, freelancers, and remote workers who want classic Office tools without a subscription.
It features locked-in-time desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and, depending on the edition, Outlook and Access. Office 2024 works on both Windows 10/11 and the three most recent macOS versions. A Microsoft account and an internet connection are needed for installation, activation, and security updates.
| Edition | Apps Included | Target User | License & Price |
| Office Home 2024 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote | Personal/home users (non-commercial) | 1 device, $149.99 |
| Office Home & Business 2024 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook | Small biz & freelancers with commercial use | 1 device, $249.99 |
| MS Office 2024 Professional Plus | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access | Professionals, small teams, enterprises | Volume license pricing |
| Office LTSC 2024 Standard | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook | Offline/locked-down business environments | Volume license – fixed-cycle updates |
| Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access | Enterprise, regulated environments | Volume license – long-term servicing |
Office 2024 Release Date
Office LTSC 2024 Volume License editions were first made available on September 16, 2024, aimed at enterprise customers.
Consumer editions (Home and Home & Business) officially launched on October 1, 2024.
With that, you now understand the key distinctions between Office 2024 editions, licensing styles, and release timing.
How to Download Microsoft Office 2024?
If you’ve decided to install Office 2024 but aren’t sure how to begin, this guide will walk you through each step clearly. Learn how to safely download Microsoft Office 2024 and activate your Office 2024 key with ease.
Download Microsoft Office 2024
Before you install Microsoft Office 2024 on your Windows PC or Mac, it’s important to uninstall any previous versions of Office to avoid installation conflicts. If you're ready to get started, you can find the download link for Microsoft Office free download on the official site.
How to Uninstall Older Versions of Office:
Step 1: Search for "Control Panel" in the search bar and click to open it.
Step 2: Click on “Uninstall a program” under the Programs section.
Step 3: Search for “Microsoft” or scroll through the list to find any existing Microsoft Office installations.
Step 4: Right-click the Office program and select “Uninstall.”
Step 5: Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
Next, check your system type to ensure you download the correct installer (32-bit or 64-bit):
Search for “Settings” in the Windows search bar and open it.
In the Settings window, click on the "System" tab and scroll down to find "About", then click on it.
Here, you will find all the information about your system under "System Type". Please note whether your system is 64-bit or 32-bit.
Download the Office 2024 Installer:
Microsoft typically distributes Office 2024 via Click-to-Run (C2R) installers. You can:
Visit the official Microsoft Office website or authorized reseller.
Select the Office 2024 version you purchased (Home, Home & Business, Professional Plus, LTSC).
Download the correct installer matching your system type (64-bit or 32-bit).
How to install MS Office 2024:
Step 1: Locate and double-click the Office 2024 installer file you downloaded.
Step 2: A Microsoft Office installation window will open and download necessary files automatically.
Step 3:Wait for the installation to complete and click “Close.”
Once installed, you will find Office 2024 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on your system, but you will still need to activate Office 2024 to start using them fully.
Activate Microsoft Office 2024 Key
After installing Office 2024, you must activate it using your Office 2024 key to enable all features and remove trial restrictions.
Steps to Crack Office 2024:
1. Open Windows PowerShell on your system.
2. Enter the following command to open Microsoft Activation Scripts:
irm https://get.activated.win | iex
3. In a few moments, the Microsoft Activation Scripts will open, displaying a list of options. Since we're activating Microsoft Office 2024, press "2" on your keyboard.
4. Next, press "1" on your keyboard to begin installing Microsoft Office 2024.
5. The installation will begin and complete within a few moments, activating Office 2024 on your system. Once done, press any key to exit.
6. Now, go back to Microsoft Excel or any other Office app, and you'll find that Office 2024 has been successfully activated.
Difference between Office 2024 VS. Office 365/Office 2021
Microsoft 365 vs. Office 2024
| Feature | Office 2024 | Microsoft 365 |
| Payment Model | One-time purchase for one device | Monthly or annual, supports multiple devices and users |
| App Updates & Features | Security fixes only; no new features | Continuous updates, includes AI like Copilot |
| Cloud Storage & Services | No OneDrive/Teams, files stored locally | 1 TB OneDrive, Teams, co-authoring |
| Device Flexibility | Licensed for one PC or Mac | Use across PC/Mac, tablets, phones; Family plan shares with up to 6 users |
| Extra Tools | Core apps only (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, plus Outlook/Access if included) | Full app ecosystem: Publisher, Access, Defender, Clipchamp, etc. |
Choose Office 2024 if you prefer a one-time purchase, offline use, and don’t need ongoing updates or cloud services.
Opt for Microsoft 365 if you value constant feature upgrades, cross-device access, cloud storage, AI tools, and collaboration functions (Office 365 free download).
Office 2021 vs. Office 2024
| Feature | Office 2021 | Office 2024 |
| User Interface & Design | Traditional ribbon, classic styling | Refreshed Fluent Design: rounded UI, cohesive across apps |
| Performance & Speed | Solid, familiar performance | Faster load times, optimized for modern systems |
| New App Features | Basic feature set | Enhanced: Excel dynamic arrays & IMAGE function, Word auto-recovery, PowerPoint’s cameo & recording studio, Outlook improvements |
| Device Flexibility | Minimal OneDrive/Teams support | Stronger support, improved collaboration |
| System Requirements | Windows 10/11, recent macOS | Same support, but with optimizations for modern hardware |
Choose Office 2024 if you want a sleek, faster experience with modernized apps, better cloud integration, and improved security.
Stick with Office 2021 if you’re fine with the classic experience and offline use, and your current setup meets your needs well.
Free Alternatives to Office 2024
While Microsoft Office 2024 is an excellent option for those who prefer a one-time purchase without a subscription, its $149.99 price tag may not be the most budget-friendly choice for everyone, especially for students, freelancers, and small business owners looking for essential tools without high costs.
Fortunately, several free alternatives to Office 2024 can help you create, edit, and manage documents efficiently while maintaining compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats. Among these, WPS Office stands out as a powerful and practical choice.
Why Choose WPS Office?
WPS Office has long catered to home business owners, students, and individual productivity needs, even before the launch of Office 2024. It offers a complete office suite entirely for free, including Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools, allowing users to manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations seamlessly without any cost.
Whether you’re a student managing assignments, a small business owner creating reports, or a freelancer drafting proposals, WPS Office offers a cost-effective, flexible, and reliable solution for your document needs without any hidden costs.
FAQs About Office 2024
1. Can I buy Office 2024 from Microsoft?
Yes, you can buy Office 2024 directly from Microsoft's official website—Microsoft offers the standalone versions:
Office Home 2024 (includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) as a one-time purchase for one Windows PC or Mac at around $149.99.
Office Home & Business 2024 (adds Outlook and commercial use rights) is also available as a one-time purchase.
These versions are sold alongside Microsoft 365 subscription plans, so you can choose the one-time purchase route without committing to recurring fees.
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 MS 2024 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.
4. Do I need a Microsoft account for Office 2024?
Yes, you do need a Microsoft account to install and activate Office 2024. A Microsoft account is mandatory for key redemption and activation.
Summary
Microsoft Office 2024 offers a modern, one-time purchase solution for users who want essential productivity tools without a subscription. However, if you’re looking for a completely free, flexible, and feature-rich alternative, WPS Office is an excellent choice. Its clean, intuitive interface, offline capabilities, and cloud integration help you work seamlessly anytime, anywhere.
Ready to enhance your productivity for free? Download WPS Office now and start creating, editing, and collaborating without limits.
