Microsoft 365 review: everything you need to know

Windows, Xbox, and a reliable and widely used office suite are three areas in which Microsoft has excelled, and I applaud the company for its work in each of these areas. Microsoft made a risky move and joined the highly competitive office suite business at the CES show that preceded COMDEX in 1988. Microsoft was adamant about entering the race against StarOffice and AppleWorks.

Word, Excel, and PowerPoint were included in the version 3.0 release of Microsoft Office for Windows, which was out in 1990, two years later. Because it endowed our computers with potent new tools, this shift had a profound impact on many people, including me. Over the years, Microsoft has been an innovator. Access was first included in Microsoft Office in 1992, alongside Windows 3.1.

The growth was welcomed by those of us who employed these tools for a variety of vocations. By 1993, Microsoft had already established itself as the industry leader in GUI operating systems. Windows was the most widely used operating system, and Office prevailed over WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 to further solidify its position as the preeminent piece of office software. At this point, many of us started to become aware of how much of an impact Microsoft had on our day-to-day computing life.

Microsoft 365 Specifications

Individuals, families, and enterprises of varying sizes can all take use of the features offered by Microsoft 365. Please visit the Microsoft 365 website if you would like additional information regarding the various pricing plans and features that are currently available.

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes the Microsoft Office applications, online business services included in Office 365 such as Exchange Online and SharePoint Online, cloud storage, and additional collaboration and productivity applications such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Lists, and Planner.

Microsoft 365 can be purchased individually or as part of a bundle with Office 365. Additionally, it comes with extra features such as a license for Windows 10 Enterprise and a suite of security and management tools for businesses called Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS). Both of these features are included in the package.

Microsoft 365 review: Design and interface

Microsoft Office is easily distinguishable from other office suite designs. The layout of Microsoft 365 remains recognizable despite the fact that the software has been around for thirty years. The appearance and operation of Microsoft’s office suite have not changed despite the fact that some of the components have been updated. Because it is the most popular office suite, competitors tend to mimic it rather than come up with original ideas.

The purpose of office suites such as LibreOffice is to reverse-engineer Microsoft’s products and then give those same goods away for free. Even if you’ve never used Microsoft software before, you’ll feel at ease because the company’s designs, interfaces, and layouts are widely regarded as the industry standard. Due to the consistency of the suite, you will feel comfortable using each of the programs.

File Explorer in Windows 10 may be used to access and manage any Microsoft 365 application. The ribbon toolbar is used in Windows 10 and other Microsoft products; it makes navigating more simpler and looks great at the same time. Drop-down menus give the impression of being out of date since they can be made more user-friendly by consolidating the various options for formatting, style, and creative work into a single contextual menu.

Microsoft 365 review: Performance and compatibility

If you have Windows, Android, macOS, or iOS, you probably meet Microsoft’s basic requirements. PC users need Windows 8.1 or higher, while Mac users need any of the three current macOS versions (macOS Big Sur is the latest). Windows has never prioritized native desktop support for Linux users, so they’re left out in the cold again. Office for the web programs run well on some Linux browsers, according to users. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook online are suggested for Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. They’re lightweight like Google Docs, however they were slow to load on all browsers I tested. After startup, all apps ran smoothly and without errors.

Windows 11 made running desktop apps easy, loading even large files quickly. Smooth transition effects and dynamic menus make using the app enjoyable. Everything worked. Its lightweight footprint allowed me to open numerous windows from each application and switch between Excel and Word files without any issues. Microsoft’s file formats are dependable, and most office productivity software supports them. Microsoft 365 supports several formats. It reads and saves PDF and OpenDocument, the format used by many online OpenOffice variants. Few office suites won’t save to compatible formats, therefore Microsoft 365 will likely handle any file type.

Microsoft 365 review: Support

People say that Microsoft has some of the best customer service in the business. The company is always quick to react and works hard to fix problems, even with consumer plans. When we asked a question of the company through its online chat window, we got a reaction and answer in just four minutes. Some apps let users get help right from the app, but we suggest going to the Microsoft support page instead. From how-to guides and video lessons to community forums, this huge library has the answer to almost any problem you can think of.

The online support center is the best we’ve seen for this type of software, and there is a lot of help and advice for businesses. Businesses can also call or chat with Microsoft online. The more expensive plans offer better service that is delivered more quickly. As part of the advanced cyberthreat detection services that come with premium plans, Microsoft’s skilled techs and cybersecurity experts are also available to help.

Microsoft 365 review: Pricing and packages

The number of editions and tiers can quickly equal that of a Ubisoft pre-order, as with other subscription services. Explaining their differences can be complicated. While I will try to explain each subscription tier, you can find more information about the Home and Business editions online.

• Microsoft 365 Home Personal: This plan is perfect for one person using it. It costs $69.99 a year or $6.99 a month and includes professional versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, which increases the size of your mailbox to 50GB.
• You can use these apps on your computer, your phone, or Office for the web. You will also get 1TB of cloud storage, 60 minutes of Skype calls every month, OneNote, full technical help, and more secure email and OneDrive. Last but not least, if you’re on a PC, you’ll also be able to use Microsoft Publisher and Access.
• Almost everything about Microsoft 365 Home Family is the same as Personal, but you can share your account with up to five other people. Every subscriber will get all the benefits of the plan, such as 60 minutes of Skype calls per month, 1TB of cloud storage, and a 50GB mailbox update. If you already have a Microsoft Family account set up, everyone in that family will be able to use Microsoft 365 right away, without having to do anything.

Final Words

Now you know everything you need to know about Microsoft 365. Based on my own experience, I can say with certainty that Microsoft 365 is the best office suite you can buy. It combines document creation and efficiency apps with lots of features, like Word, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Excel, with the huge power of the cloud through OneDrive. But Microsoft Teams is the thing that really stands out for me.

It’s a digital communications tool that does everything, and it has completely changed how my team works. It makes sure that all of our workers can work together and efficiently, no matter where they are. Don’t forget the fact that businesses can choose from different subscription choices. There is a plan for everyone in Microsoft 365, whether you have a small team of five people, a team with 50 people in different locations, or a big company with hundreds or even thousands of employees. From my own experience, this level of flexibility is a big deal for companies of all kinds.

Microsoft 365 review: The Good and Bad

If you are starting from scratch, Microsoft 365 is your best option for productivity and communication tools because it includes everything you need to get started.

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