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Why does my Microsoft 365 app look different after the 2025 update?
The Reality Behind the “Office is Dead” Rumors
Recent viral discussions suggest Microsoft eliminated the “Office” brand overnight. These claims are incorrect. Microsoft clarified to Windows Latest that the Office brand remains active. The confusion stems from a specific naming convention change regarding the centralized launcher app, not the productivity suite itself.
The “Office” brand continues to categorize core applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These applications operate within the broader Microsoft 365 subscription ecosystem. Microsoft has no plans to retire the Office name, as it serves as a critical identifier for these specific tools.
Tracing the Rebranding Timeline
To understand the confusion, you must distinguish between the product suite and the centralized hub app. The naming evolution occurred as follows:
- Office Hub: The original launcher app for mobile and web.
- Microsoft 365 App: In November 2022, Microsoft renamed “Office Hub” to “Microsoft 365” to align with the subscription service.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot App: In January 2025, Microsoft updated this specific hub app’s name to “Microsoft 365 Copilot.”
This change reflects a strategic shift toward AI integration. However, users seeing “Microsoft 365 Copilot” on their splash screens often mistake this app-level update for a total product overhaul.
Official Clarification from Microsoft
Gareth Oystryk, Senior Director of Marketing for Microsoft 365, explicitly stated that no naming changes affect the core Office apps. The update in January 2025 strictly applied to the web and mobile “hub” app. The goal was to consolidate the Copilot AI experience with productivity tools in a single interface.
Distinguishing the App from the Subscription
Precision is vital when managing your software assets. You should view the ecosystem through three distinct layers:
- The Subscription (Microsoft 365): This is the service you pay for. It bundles storage, security, and software licenses. It retains the name Microsoft 365.
- The Brand (Office): This refers to the specific productivity software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) included in your subscription.
- The Interface (Microsoft 365 Copilot): This is the launcher application (formerly Office Hub) used to access your files and apps.
Enterprise and Consumer Implications
For business users, this distinction impacts license management. The “Microsoft 365 Copilot” branding on the app does not grant automatic access to the premium Copilot features inside Word or Excel. Those features often require specific enterprise tiers or paid add-ons. Personal and Family subscribers may see the new branding but will have different usage limits or credit-based access to AI features.