Debunking the Rumor: Microsoft Office remains unchanged as Microsoft 365 Copilot

In a recent turn of events, Microsoft has once again managed to confuse the internet. Speculations on various platforms such as Reddit, Hacker News, and X suggested that Microsoft had rebranded Microsoft Office to Microsoft 365 Copilot. However, it appears that Office has not undergone such a name change to “Microsoft 365 Copilot app.”

The source of this confusion stems from Microsoft’s own domain, Office.com, which has been redirecting users to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for the past year. This app serves as a central hub providing access to Copilot and all other Office applications. Previously known simply as Office, the app was rebranded to Microsoft 365 in 2022.

Upon visiting Office.com, users are greeted with a welcoming message to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. Microsoft’s message, stating “The Microsoft 365 Copilot app (formerly Office)…” may lead to further confusion for those not closely following the company’s branding changes.

The reference to “formerly Office” pertains to the original Office app launched in 2019, aimed at promoting the online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This app was initially known as the Microsoft 365 app before being rebranded to Copilot in November 2024. The subsequent rollout of the app under the name Microsoft 365 Copilot occurred on January 15th the following year across Windows, iOS, and Android platforms.

Surprisingly, the recent discovery of these changes by internet users comes a year after the rebranding. It is important to note that the suite of Office applications remains under the subscription plan of Microsoft 365, with no alterations to this branding since 2022. For those seeking a standalone version without cloud features and updates included in a Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft Office 2024 remains an option.

Efforts to seek clarity from Microsoft regarding the confusion surrounding Office and Microsoft 365 Copilot branding were met with a refusal to provide an official statement.

As the dust settles on Microsoft’s latest Office branding updates, one can’t help but wonder if another rebranding of Copilot is on the horizon, true to Microsoft’s unpredictable nature.