office suite Archives

Winsage

September 21, 2025

You Can Get Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$83 Right Now

A bundle featuring Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office 2021 is available for a reduced price of A, down from A3. The Windows 11 Pro activation key allows users to upgrade one compatible PC with a minimum of 4GB of RAM and 64GB of available storage. This upgrade includes a new user interface, productivity tools, and Windows Copilot for generating text, code, or images. The bundle also includes the latest non-cloud-based versions of eight Microsoft Office applications, which can be installed on a single computer with at least 1GB of RAM and 4GB of free hard disk space. Prices on StackSocial may change, making this a timely opportunity to purchase the software package.

Winsage

August 28, 2025

Windows: MS Word now automatically saves to the cloud

Microsoft has introduced an automatic saving feature in Word for Windows that saves newly drafted content directly to OneDrive. Users can disable this autosave feature or choose a different cloud service in the settings. The option to save directly to a local computer or network drive remains available. When closing Word without saving, users will be prompted to either retain their work in the cloud or discard it. This feature is effective immediately for Word for Windows version 2509 (build 19221.20000) and will be extended to Excel and PowerPoint later this year. The automatic saving feature integrates with Microsoft's AI tool, Copilot, for document editing and evaluation. However, there are some bugs affecting the autosave functionality, such as issues when the start screen is disabled or when opening a second instance of Word.

Winsage

August 24, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Drops Windows 7-8.1 Support, Adds Speed and AES-256 Encryption

LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, ending support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, meaning users on these operating systems will no longer receive updates or security patches. The new version requires a minimum of Windows 10 and includes performance enhancements, such as faster document loading and improved interoperability with Microsoft formats. Security upgrades include AES-256 encryption and PDF 2.0 export capabilities. The decision to discontinue support for older Windows versions reflects a broader industry trend towards modernization and innovation. Future versions will also require macOS 11 or later. Users on outdated systems are encouraged to evaluate alternatives or stick with earlier versions.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

OneNote for Windows 10 support ends Oct 14

As of October 14, OneNote for Windows 10 will reach its end of support and transition to a read-only state. Microsoft is consolidating its efforts into a single, more powerful OneNote app for Windows, which will facilitate faster feature rollouts and long-term support. Users of OneNote for Windows 10 will not receive further updates or support, and their notes will be locked in a read-only format. Microsoft has hinted at introducing "Copilot-powered note generation" for the new OneNote app. Organizations using OneNote for Windows 10 need to prepare for this transition.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Open-Source Office Suite Officially Released, This Is What’s New

LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, supporting GNU/Linux, Android, macOS, and Windows. Key enhancements include up to 30% faster file opening times in Writer and Calc, support for exporting to PDF 2.0, optimized memory management, and improved scrolling for large documents. New features include a Viewer mode for read-only access, background images as bitmap thumbnails, SHA384 with AES_192 encryption, streamlined PDF signature timestamping, enhanced import capabilities for encrypted PDFs, and support for Bitcoin currency. Writer introduces a new Move Line hyphenation rule, improved text selection control, and collaborative features like per-window track changes. Calc adds new functions and customizable conditional formatting, while Impress improves font management for PowerPoint compatibility. The user interface features various enhancements, including a diacritic matching option and hyperlink insertion via the context menu. LibreOffice 25.8 is available for download, with support through seven maintenance updates until June 12, 2026.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Strengthens Privacy Focus in Competitive Office Suite Market

LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, emphasizing user privacy and data control. The update features significant performance improvements, with Writer and Calc opening files up to thirty percent faster and enhanced memory management for older machines. It improves compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats, reworks word hyphenation and spacing, and adds fifteen new spreadsheet functions. The software now supports exports to the PDF 2.0 standard and introduces new scripting capabilities. However, it no longer supports Windows 7, 8, and 32-bit systems, and macOS 10.15 users will receive their final update. LibreOffice remains free, without subscriptions or advertising, and offers professional support through certified partners.

Winsage

August 21, 2025

LibreOffice 25.8 Released With UI Enhancements, Better Performance

LibreOffice has released version 25.8 of its open-source office suite, featuring user interface refinements for improved navigation and usability. The update includes a performance boost, with up to a 30% increase in speed for opening files in the Writer and Calc applications. It enhances compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats to facilitate collaboration. Additionally, the release contains various minor enhancements for a smoother user experience. Downloads and more information are available on The Document Foundation Blog.

Winsage

August 19, 2025

10 open-source apps I recommend every Windows user download

Open-source software provides alternatives to proprietary applications for Windows users, enhancing productivity without traditional software licenses. 1. LibreOffice is a free office suite that includes word processing, spreadsheets, and a database component, operates locally, and supports MS Office formats. 2. Flow Launcher is a free file search and application launcher that allows quick access to applications and files through a customizable hotkey. 3. Duplicati is a free backup solution that supports various storage destinations, offers encryption, scheduling, and remote management for data security. 4. Nextcloud is a free, locally hosted file storage and collaboration solution that allows users to control their personal data. 5. Franz is a free application that consolidates multiple messaging platforms into a single interface for easier communication. 6. YAZB (YAZB Reborn) is a free tool that customizes the Windows experience by creating a top bar displaying system information. 7. File Converter is a free application that allows users to convert various file formats through a right-click context menu option. 8. Bitwarden is a free open-source password manager that offers password generation and secure file sharing, with premium features available. 9. AutoHotKey is a free tool for automating tasks through scripting, enabling the creation of hotkeys and macros. 10. Ollama is a free open-source AI application that allows local interaction with AI models, ensuring data privacy.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Microsoft 365 Is Gaining Brand-New Apps — Here’s What’s on the Way to Windows 11

Microsoft 365 is introducing new companion apps for Windows 11 users, including People, File Search, and Calendar, set to roll out soon. These apps utilize Microsoft Graph to enhance search capabilities and user experience. The People app allows users to look up colleagues and access organizational charts, while the File Search app helps locate and share Microsoft 365 files. The Calendar app provides easy access to the Microsoft 365 calendar and upcoming events. Currently, access to these apps is limited to Microsoft 365 Insider Program for Business members, and they are exclusive to Windows 11.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft is killing its ChromeOS competitor

Microsoft has decided to discontinue Windows 11 SE, a lightweight operating system introduced in 2021, aimed at low-cost laptops for educational environments. The company will cease all software updates for Windows 11 SE, with support officially ending in October 2026. The final update, version 24H2, will be the last released for this platform. Microsoft stated that it will not release a feature update after version 24H2 and recommends transitioning to a device that supports another edition of Windows 11 for continued support and security.