Office 2024 is Microsoft's one-time purchase version of the classic Office apps, installed on one PC or Mac, with no subscription. As of October 2026, Office Home 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, and Office Home & Business 2024 adds Outlook.
Here's the catch. A one-time purchase has no upgrade option, so when the next major release comes out, you buy it again at full price. And it isn't an offline product. Office 2024 needs the internet to activate, needs periodic reactivation, and can ask to reactivate when your device's components change. Microsoft says it isn't suitable for fully disconnected use, and if you skip reactivation the apps can drop into reduced functionality mode.
The Office 2024 editions
| Edition | Who it's for | Apps included |
|---|---|---|
| Office Home 2024 | Students and families, for home or school | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote |
| Office Home & Business 2024 | Families and small businesses, for home or work | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook |
| Office LTSC 2024 | Commercial and government customers, on-premises | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, plus Access on Windows |
Office LTSC 2024 doesn't include Publisher, which is being retired in 2026. It ships with the Skype for Business client for Windows as an optional install rather than an automatic one. Both Office 2024 and LTSC 2024 have Windows and Mac versions, support 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, include the Windows desktop version of OneNote, and still support VBA macros.
Office 2024 vs Microsoft 365, line by line
| Office 2024 | Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, Premium or Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | One single cost | Monthly, or yearly to save |
| Updates | Security updates only, no new features | All the latest features, security updates and fixes |
| Devices | Installed once on one PC or Mac | All your devices, signed in on five at once |
| Cloud storage | Not included | 1 TB on Personal, more on the shared plans |
| Mobile apps | Basic editing on screens under 10.1 inches | Extra features when you sign in |
| Support | Support resources and chat, call back for activation only | Ongoing call back and chat support |
Microsoft is blunt about features. Office 2024 has only a subset of what's in Microsoft 365 Apps and will stay locked in time, while Microsoft 365 keeps getting new tools. Microsoft 365 plans for home and business now include Copilot, and the Family, Premium and Pro plans can be shared with up to five other people. If you already have Microsoft 365, you don't need Office 2024 at all. If you're comparing what each costs, here are the Microsoft 365 prices.
When Office 2024 still needs the internet
You can use Office 2024 offline once it's installed and activated, but Microsoft lists the moments it needs a connection:
- Looking up pre-entitlements, if your device came bundled with a copy of Office.
- Redeeming a copy and tying it to your Microsoft account or device ID.
- Activating apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Getting updates and security patches, which needs regular access.
- Staying activated, which needs periodic access.
You don't have to keep files in the cloud with either product. You choose whether to save to your own device or to OneDrive. And if you only need light editing, Microsoft 365 for the web is free in a browser with a Microsoft account, with 5 GB of cloud storage and no desktop apps.
Office LTSC 2024 in plain terms
Office LTSC 2024 is the on-premises version for commercial and government customers. Its big difference is updates: security and quality updates come over the internet but can be hosted on-premises for disconnected networks. That's why Microsoft points anyone who can't stay online towards LTSC rather than Office 2024. It won't get new features after release.
How long Office 2024 is supported
| Product | Support, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Office LTSC 2024 for Windows | 5 years under the Fixed Lifecycle Policy, ending October 9, 2029 |
| Office 2024 for Windows (consumer) | Modern Lifecycle Policy |
| Office 2024 for Mac and Office LTSC for Mac 2024 | Out of support on October 9, 2029 |
On a PC, Office 2024 needs Windows 10 or later, though Windows 10 itself was only supported until October 14, 2025. Office LTSC 2024 runs on Windows 11 and Windows 10. On a Mac, LTSC for Mac 2024 supports the three most recent versions of macOS, and drops the oldest each time a new one arrives. Microsoft's reasoning for the five-year cycle is security: software a decade old gets harder to manage and protect.
Installing and activating Office 2024 on a PC
If your copy came with a product key, redeem it once at microsoft365.com/setup with your Microsoft account first. That adds the licence to your account, and after that you reinstall by signing in.
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- Go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps and sign in with the account linked to your Office.
- Select Install apps, then Install.
- Select Run in Edge, Setup in Chrome or Save File in Firefox.
- Select Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
- Wait for You're all set! Office is installed now, then select Close.
- Open Word from the Start menu and accept the licence agreement to activate.
The 64-bit version installs by default unless you already have a 32-bit version on the PC. If activation stalls, the Activation Wizard appears to walk you through it. To check which version you're running later, go to File, then Account, in any app. On a Mac, Office 2024 uses the standard Apple pkg installer.
My verdict on Office 2024
I'd buy Office 2024 if you work on one computer, want Word, Excel and PowerPoint without a monthly bill, and don't need cloud storage or new features. I'd skip it if you use a phone and a laptop, share with family, or want Copilot, because Microsoft 365 covers all of that. And if you'd rather not pay at all, have a look at the best Office alternatives first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Office 2024 a one-time purchase?
Yes. You pay once and install classic versions of the apps on one PC or Mac, with no subscription.
Does Office 2024 get new features?
No. Security updates are included, but you won't get new features, and upgrades to major releases aren't included.
Can I buy just one app instead of Office 2024?
Yes. You can buy standalone Word, Excel or PowerPoint for Mac or PC, and Visio or Project for PC only.
Does Office 2024 work offline?
Yes, once installed and activated, but it needs the internet to activate, to update and to reactivate periodically.
When does Office 2024 for Mac go out of support?
Office 2024 for Mac and Office LTSC for Mac 2024 go out of support on October 9, 2029.
