Forget Windows 11, Microsoft launches blockbuster update to Word, Outlook and Excel users

Christmas has come early for Microsoft fans. This morning – October 5, 2021 – sees the arrival of the all-new Windows 11 operating system as well as a huge upgrade to Microsoft Office for consumers, students and businesses. While Windows 11, which arrives with an almost unrecognisable Start Menu, interactive widgets, tight integration with Microsoft Teams throughout the operating system, and more is most likely to grab the headlines, there’s some exciting developments for fans of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and others.

Office 2021 will include all-new versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook with re-imagined designs that will better fit with the new look coming to PC owners with the arrival of Windows 11. These applications will get rounded window corners (Microsoft has dropped the angular design found in Windows 10 throughout its new operating system) as well as added translucency and new neutral colours. In some cases, the icons will also receive a facelift too.

However, this latest upgrade isn’t only a cosmetic one, the new versions of Office apps will add collaborative tools, like the ability to co-author a document, as well as the ability to push-out automatic updates when a change is made to a shared file – ensuring that everyone is seeing the most up-to-date version.

Office Home and Student 2021 as well as Office Home and Business 2021 will be available from today. These bundle unlock access to some of the incredibly popular productivity apps from Microsoft, like Word, Excel, OneNote, Powerpoint, and more. Office 2021 isn’t only available to those on the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft – Mac owners will unlock the new software on the same day too.

Unlike those who purchase a single copy of Office 2021 on Windows or macOS, those who subscribe to Microsoft 365 can sign-in to multiple instances of the same software – moving from the iPad versions of the app, to a desktop PC, and back again with the same login. Documents are synced across devices.

Today also sees the arrival of Windows 11, which promises to bring a dramatic new look to your PC. The new operating system, developed under the watchful eye of executive Panos Panay – who oversees the Surface hardware division inside Microsoft, brings an almost unrecognisable Start Menu, rounded edges to all windows, six preinstalled themes to customise the look, and a new panel of interactive widgets that can be accessed at any time. During the launch event back in June, some of these changes were lauded by fans… while others have caused anger.

To find out whether your current machine is capable of running Windows 11 (not every device with Windows 10 can upgrade to the next version), Microsoft has updated its Windows Update app. This will now scan the components in your PC and let you know if your system is eligible for the upgrade. You can check now by heading to Settings > Windows Update > Check Updates to see if your device is ready for the new OS.

Even if you are eligible for the free upgrade scheme and your system is powerful enough to run Windows 11… you might still not be able to install the new operating system on October 5. Microsoft has confirmed that its worldwide launch will be “phased” starting from today, October 5, in order to “focus on quality”. As such, it could take a few months before the update is available in your area.

This isn’t unusual, Microsoft has staggered the rollout of new updates throughout the lifecycle of Windows 10. This is designed to stop delays as millions of people try to download the latest software from the server on the same day. However, it also means that – should there be a show-stopping glitch or bug discovered early in the release – Microsoft will be able to pull the update before too much damage is caused.

However, with Windows 11, Microsoft is stretching out its release window for months. In fact, the Redmond-based company has admitted that not all Windows 10 devices eligible to upgrade to the next operating system will be able to do so until mid-2022. Yikes. You could be waiting nine months before you get your hands on Windows 11. By then, you’re likely going to be in need of a new machine rather than a software update.