Office 365 Archives

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

New Minecraft edition has students restore St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City launched an educational edition of Minecraft titled “Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage” on March 18, 2025, in collaboration with Microsoft. The game allows students aged 8 to 18 to explore a digital version of St. Peter’s Basilica, engaging in restoration tasks and learning about its art and history. Players earn golden papal key tokens by completing tasks, and the game features two modes: “Restoration Mode” and “Exploration Mode.” The initiative aims to enhance cultural heritage understanding through interactive gaming. The game is available in the Minecraft Education lesson library for licensed users, with a free trial version accessible through Office 365 or Microsoft 365 Education accounts.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Change Your Browser As New Attacks Underway

Microsoft has issued a warning to Chrome users about a new remote access trojan called StilachiRAT, which can exfiltrate sensitive information such as stored credentials and digital wallet data. StilachiRAT can scan for configuration data across 20 cryptocurrency wallet extensions in Chrome and can extract and decrypt saved usernames and passwords. The malware can also monitor Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions, capture active window information, and impersonate users to gain unauthorized access to networks. Microsoft recommends that users switch to its Edge browser or other browsers with SmartScreen technology to enhance security. Additionally, users are advised to install software from official sources, utilize Safe Links and Safe Attachments in Office 365, and enable network protection features in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Despite this, Chrome remains the dominant browser among Windows users.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Microsoft tests ad-supported Office apps for Windows users

Microsoft has introduced ad-supported versions of its Office desktop applications, allowing Windows users to edit documents without a subscription. These applications will display advertisements in a vertical panel on the right side of the window and include prompts encouraging users to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to remove ads. Users must download and install Microsoft 365 to access these applications, and they can choose to skip the sign-in process for free access. However, a subscription is required to save documents edited with these applications directly to local drives. The ad-supported versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint have limited functionality compared to the full versions. Reports suggest that the availability of these applications may be part of a regional test, as some outlets could not replicate the findings. Additionally, Microsoft has a history of integrating ads into its products, including in the Windows 11 Start menu and Windows File Explorer.

Winsage

February 23, 2025

WinApps: Virtualized Windows Apps On Linux, Plus Windowing

Linux users can now run the latest version of Photoshop on Linux machines with access to a dedicated mobile GPU, thanks to innovative open-source solutions. This is achieved through the WinApps project, which integrates a virtual machine into the Linux desktop using Remote Desktop Protocol, allowing Windows applications to run alongside native Linux programs. The setup requires significant effort, particularly in recognizing the GPU, but it enables heavy-duty applications to function effectively on machines like the HP Envy 16 with an Intel i7-12700H processor and 32GB of RAM. While WinApps offers substantial benefits for users relying on Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office 365, it is best suited for casual use due to potential bugs and performance issues. The development of WinApps reflects the contributions of various open-source teams, including those at Red Hat, and suggests future enhancements may improve accessibility for users.

Winsage

February 10, 2025

9 tools that will supercharge your productivity on Windows

- Microsoft Outlook is a free, built-in tool for managing emails, appointments, meetings, and tasks, featuring calendar sharing and integration with Microsoft To Do. - IFTTT automates repetitive tasks by connecting various apps, services, and devices through customized applets. - The Windows Snipping Tool captures screenshots, records desktop activity, supports full-screen video recording, and has OCR capabilities for text extraction from images. - Microsoft PowerToys is a suite of utilities that enhances the Windows experience, including tools for multitasking, file management, and keeping the PC active. - Grammarly provides real-time grammar and spelling checks, compatible with platforms like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, with a premium version offering advanced features. - Obsidian uses Markdown to create interconnected notes, allowing users to build a personal knowledge base with customizable plugins. - Microsoft 365 includes applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with collaboration tools like Teams and OneDrive, with regular updates for new features and security. - UniGetUI is a package manager that simplifies app installations by allowing users to select and install multiple applications simultaneously. - Flow Launcher allows users to quickly launch applications, files, and websites, enhancing workflow efficiency and providing flexibility as a portable app or standard installation.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

I Don’t See a Reason to Switch to Windows from Linux Anymore in 2025

Users are increasingly favoring Linux over Windows in dual boot setups, often using Windows as a backup. The rise of web-based tools and Software as a Service (SaaS) has diminished the importance of the operating system choice, as essential services can be accessed through web browsers. Linux offers a variety of distributions tailored to different user needs, providing customization options that Windows does not. Gaming on Linux has improved with a growing library available through Steam and the introduction of handheld consoles like the Steam Deck. Many software developers are beginning to support Linux, with notable applications like DaVinci Resolve and Surfshark VPN now available. Electron-based applications have increased the availability of productivity tools for Linux users. Linux is free from intrusive advertisements, unlike Windows 11, which can overwhelm users with promotional content. For containerization and self-hosting, Linux is considered superior due to its built-in tools and extensive documentation, offering more control and flexibility than Windows.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

This Linux distro is so Windows-like, it even comes with Microsoft apps

Linux allows for extensive customization of desktop environments. Wubuntu is a Linux distribution that mimics the look and functionality of Windows 11, featuring elements like Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, and the Edge browser, while avoiding intrusive advertisements. It is built on Ubuntu and uses the KDE Plasma desktop, providing a familiar interface for Windows users. Upon first login, Wubuntu presents a Settings window for theme selection and includes a weather app, sidebar, comprehensive menu, run command launcher, favorites, system tray, and Copilot. It also offers tools such as Microsoft PowerShell and quick access to Office 365 applications, with OnlyOffice Desktop Editors available for local document management. Wubuntu supports interaction with Android devices, Active Directory, and comes pre-installed with applications like Google Chrome, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Steam, Thunderbird, VLC media player, Webcamoid, Wine/Winetricks, and Flatpak. Wubuntu is user-friendly and compatible with a wide range of hardware, running on kernel version 6.8.0-48. An icon for Copilot is located at the bottom right of the desktop, requiring a Microsoft account for access. Wubuntu caters to users who appreciate the Windows desktop experience but prefer a Linux environment, offering stability, ease of use, and the ability to run Windows applications. It combines the strengths of Ubuntu and KDE Plasma with a Windows-like aesthetic, making it a suitable option for those transitioning from Windows.

Winsage

December 8, 2024

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for just $32.97

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is currently available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This version includes essential applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, and OneNote. It is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 and is a one-time purchase, eliminating ongoing subscription fees. Documents created in Office 2019 are compatible with Office 365 and Office 2021.

Winsage

November 30, 2024

Buy a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Mac or Windows for 85% off with this deal

StackSocial is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 at an 85% discount. This version includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, but does not include Microsoft Teams. Users need to have Windows 10 or 11, or MacOS Monterey Version 12 or newer to download the software. Although StackSocial is an authorized Microsoft partner, there is a possibility that Microsoft could terminate the license in the future.

Winsage

November 29, 2024

Only pay for the apps you need. Office 2024 gets you Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for just $99.99, no Microsoft 365 subscription required

Black Friday will take place on November 29, 2024. Cyber Monday will follow on December 2, 2024. Office 2024 is available at a discount exclusively through Best Buy and can be installed on a single desktop computer running Windows 11, Windows 10, or macOS. It includes essential applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Microsoft 365 offers a broader suite of applications and requires a paid subscription, while Office 2024 is a one-time purchase for users needing only basic applications. Various retailers are offering significant discounts on a wide range of products during the holiday shopping season.