Well as a wise man once said “That depends”.

The answer lies in the definition of Microsoft’s Suite of cloud products and the subscription service to subscribe to. Many still reference Microsoft 365 as the entire suite of products Microsoft offers in its cloud. Microsoft’s cloud includes a comprehensive suite of different products, with new products being added every day. This service includes licenses and services for every Microsoft product imaginable. However, Microsoft has evolved its branding and product offerings over the years to better align with its strategic goals and customer needs. Here are some key milestones:

Introduction of Microsoft 365: The brand “Microsoft 365” was first introduced in July 2017. Initially, it was a bundle that included Office 365, Windows 10 Enterprise, and Enterprise Mobility + Security, aimed at providing a complete solution for enterprise customers.

Office 365 to Microsoft 365: In April 2020, Microsoft rebranded Office 365 to Microsoft 365. This change reflected Microsoft’s strategy to provide a more comprehensive productivity platform that includes not only Office apps but also additional services like Teams, OneDrive, and advanced security features.

Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud computing platform, has always been distinct from Office 365 and Microsoft 365. An Azure subscription focuses on providing infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS), supporting a wide range of cloud services and applications.

In conjunction with this Microsoft has three tiers of Microsoft 365 Licensing models, with the key differences being software and security requirements  –

Microsoft 365 Home Edition: Targeted for Individuals and families. Providing access to premium Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user, advanced security features. I features different plans to provide access to apps on multiple devices and/or multiple users. This subscription also includes the Family Safety app, which helps manage screen time and location sharing for family members.

Microsoft 365 Business Edition: Targeted at small businesses through to medium sized businesses. This offering is licensed to each employee individually, providing access to Office apps, Email, OneDrive for Business, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Microsoft Teams, advanced security and device management features.

Microsoft 365 Enterprise Edition: Targeted at Larger organisations and the enterprises, this includes all features of Microsoft 365 for business, and extends the offering to Power BI Pro, advanced analytics, security and compliance tools as well as including additional benefits, with Enhanced IT controls, advanced security features, and compliance tools to meet regulatory requirements

So firstly – What is Windows ?

Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to interact with their Pcs or Laptops or Tablets, using visual elements like windows, icons, and menus, rather than text-based commands. Windows is designed to be user-friendly and supports a wide range of applications, making it a popular choice for both personal and professional use.

Windows provides the platform on our physical device to which we can install further software and applications for our specific needs.

The history of Windows dates back to 1981 when Microsoft began working on a project called “Interface Manager,” which was later renamed Windows. The first version, Windows 1.0, was released on November 20, 1985. It was a graphical shell that ran on top of MS-DOS, providing a more intuitive way for users to manage files and run programs. Windows 2.0 followed in 1987, introducing overlapping windows and improved graphics support.

As computers made their way into our homes and offices during the late 1990s and early 2000s Microsoft, released Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, each bringing new features and improvements. Windows XP, in particular, was praised for its stability and user-friendly interface, becoming one of the most popular versions of Windows ever released. Subsequent versions, including Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, continued to evolve, with each iteration introducing new functionalities and enhancements to this traditional operating system.

Today, Windows 11 is the latest version, offering a modernized interface, improved performance, and enhanced security features.  Throughout its history, Windows has played a crucial role in shaping the personal computing landscape, making technology more accessible and user-friendly for millions of people worldwide.

What is Office ?

Office, is  Microsoft’s bundle of office productivity suite software. Although marketed as an office/business suite, it is of course the number one productivity suite utilised in our homes and by our students.

The history of the Microsoft Office suite is a fascinating journey through the evolution of productivity software. Microsoft Office was first announced by Bill Gates on August 1, 1988, at the COMDEX computer expo in Las Vegas. The initial version, released in 1990, bundled together three applications: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. This suite was designed to provide a comprehensive set of tools for office productivity, and it quickly became a cornerstone of modern business software.

Over the years, Microsoft Office has undergone numerous transformations. The early 1990s saw the introduction of new versions that included additional applications like Microsoft Access and Microsoft Outlook. Each new release brought enhancements in functionality, user interface, and integration between the applications. For instance, Office 95 was the first fully 32-bit version, which improved performance and stability.

As with Windows, the 2000s marked a significant shift with the introduction of Office XP and Office 2003, which included features like smart tags and task panes. Office 2007 brought a major redesign with the introduction of the Ribbon interface, aimed at making the software more user-friendly and improving the end-user experience

In recent years, Microsoft has focused on cloud integration and collaboration, with Office 365  offering subscription-based access to Office applications along with cloud storage and other services. This shift reflects the changing landscape of work, where remote work, remote collaboration and access to documents from anywhere have become essential.

This does not mean the end to on-premises office suite, Microsoft recently announced the commercial preview of “Microsoft Office LTSC 2024” (Long-Term Servicing Channel) designed for specialized use cases that need a stable, long-term servicing channel.

Microsoft has also announced it plans to release a new version of on-premises Office for consumers later this year,  “Office 2024”. This version will follow the traditional “one-time purchase” model and will also be supported for five years. This approach allows Microsoft to cater to customers who prefer or need to keep their Office apps on-premises while continuing to innovate and expand their cloud-based offerings.

What is Office 365 / Microsoft 365?