September 16, 2024 at 02:06PM
Microsoft has released Office LTSC 2024 for commercial and government customers, designed for devices without internet connectivity and requiring long-term support. It offers improved performance, security, and accessibility, with new features in Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams. Unlike previous versions, it doesn’t include Microsoft Publisher and is available via device-based licensing.
Based on the meeting notes, the key takeaways for Office LTSC 2024 are:
1. Office LTSC 2024 is now available for commercial and government customers. It is a volume-licensed and perpetual version of Office for Windows and macOS users designed for organizations with devices without internet connectivity and requiring long-term support.
2. It has fewer features than the Microsoft 365 Apps suite and includes notable enhancements such as improved performance, security, and accessibility across the platform, expanded meeting creation options, better search capabilities in Outlook, and a long list of new Excel features.
3. The Microsoft Teams app is now available as a separate download, and Office LTSC 2024 no longer bundles Microsoft Publisher, which will be retired after October 2026.
4. Office LTSC 2024 is supported for five years under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy and will be deployable alongside Microsoft 365 Apps using a common set of tools to enable customers to more easily manage hybrid environments.
5. The new release includes access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, and the Microsoft Access (Windows Only) classic desktop apps installed on 1 Windows or macOS device.
6. Office LTSC 2024 only receives security updates, comes with device-based licensing only, and does not require an internet connection for activation and license validation.
7. Office LTSC 2024 is available to existing commercial and government volume-licensed customers, with new on-premises versions of Project and Visio also available.
8. The commercial release for all customers is set for October 1, and more information about Office 2024 for consumers will be shared in the coming weeks.
Microsoft originally announced Office LTSC 2024 in March and released a commercial preview for Windows and macOS users in April 2024.