Office 365 to Microsoft 365 Name Change

If you’re reading this article, it’s likely because you, like many other people, are wondering why Microsoft changed the name Office 365 to Microsoft 365. As humans, we’re naturally wired to like things the way they are, and this name change might be a bit confusing for some who are regularly using cloud computing services.

Have no fear, our experts have curated a list of frequently asked questions to cover any you may have about the recent name change.

Why did Office 365 change its name to Microsoft 365?

According to an article from Microsoft, “[Office 365] has evolved over the years, and in addition to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, it now includes other apps, capabilities, connection to the Microsoft 365 cloud and a user-based licensing approach. The new name helps convey the larger value while keeping Office central to the experience.”

Essentially, what this means is that with the introduction of these new features, the brand has been renamed as “Microsoft 365” to reflect its broader value proposition. However, the core office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are still at the heart of the user experience. 

Therefore, consumers can expect to see improved functionality, increased collaboration capabilities and streamlined licensing options.

When did the Office 365 to Microsoft 365 name change happen?

The Office 365 to Microsoft 365 name change occurred in late April 2020, specifically, on April 21st. It was around then that end users started seeing the name of their subscriptions updated to the new name across their in-product experiences.

What products changed their name from Office 365 to Microsoft 365?

Here’s a helpful graphic that showcases which products had name changes during the switch:

What’s the impact of Office 365 changing to Microsoft 365?

The rebranding of Office 365 to Microsoft 365 represents a significant shift for Microsoft and its users. The change signifies a move towards a more comprehensive and integrated suite of software tools that go beyond the traditional Office applications. 

With Microsoft 365, users can expect to benefit from an expanded set of features, including enhanced collaboration tools, cloud-based services and streamlined licensing options. The new brand also reflects Microsoft’s commitment to providing a more integrated and seamless user experience across all of its products and services. 

Ultimately, the impact of this change is positive, providing users with a more comprehensive and valuable suite of tools to help them work more efficiently, effectively and securely from any location.

Other than the name, did anything else change?

From Microsoft: “There are no price changes, feature changes or business model changes as part of this renaming. There are no naming changes for the Office 365 Enterprise or Microsoft 365 Enterprise SKUs.”

Users can expect to take part in everything the Office Suite has to offer for business applications, albeit under a new name. Outside of the name change, nothing else major has changed about the service except the way it has been marketed to the end user.

Next Steps

If you have any questions related to Office 365 to Microsoft 365 name change, or need your office technology aligned, feel free to contact us or book a meeting.