Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2021 November 20

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November 20

Question about Microsoft 365

I have three different computers: a desktop (Windows 10), a laptop (Windows 10), and another laptop (Windows 11). They all have Microsoft Office (I think it's officially called Microsoft 365). I believe that I have one subscription to Microsoft Office ... but, that one subscription is allowed to be installed on my three different computers. In other words, all of my three Office installations fall under the same, singular, Microsoft account. So, my question: two of the Office software programs look the same as they always did; the third account suddenly -- out of the blue -- got some "new and refreshed look" (mostly cosmetic). Why did only one computer show the "new and revised" Microsoft Office Suite, while the other two computers showed no changes at all? On all three computers, I have performed multiple "checks for software updates" and -- on each computer -- it says "you have the latest version available". If it matters ... the one computer that gained the new cosmetic look is the laptop with Windows 10. Any ideas? Thanks. Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 02:34, 20 November 2021 (UTC)

Looks like that's normal – not every device or user gets the update at the same time (relevant MS support article). The other two computers will get the update eventually, but it may take some time. Rummskartoffel 13:50, 20 November 2021 (UTC)

Thanks. I had done a Google search, but I never came up with the article that you found. Thanks. I scanned it quickly; I will read it in more detail later. But, two other quick questions came to mind. (1) Is Microsoft updating each device, one at a time? Or each User Account, one at a time? I guess that I assumed that one account was treated as simply one account, and any action upon that one account would impact all three of my computers. That's an incorrect assumption? Hard to believe that "they" (Microsoft) would sort through each account, multiple times, for multiple devices. I would have assumed that they just update the single account -- not the multiple devices within -- and just be done with it. (2) When I click the tab for "update my software now" ... and it replies "you currently have the most recent software" ... what exactly is falling through the cracks? In other words, what's the point of performing the "update software" ... to request an update ... and be told that no updates are available ... but indeed updates are available? What's the whole point of that function / tab button? Thanks. Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 16:57, 20 November 2021 (UTC)

According to What's new in Microsoft 365 the latest version is 16.0.14326.20238. It talks about the "new visual refresh". There's a link at the top for how to find your Office version. There may be no purpose in attempting to understand MS's arcane policies. MinorProphet (talk) 18:40, 20 November 2021 (UTC)

Is this "new and refreshed look" observed at the Windows 11 machine? Ruslik_Zero 20:19, 21 November 2021 (UTC)

Nope ... this happened with the Windows 10 laptop. Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 02:32, 22 November 2021 (UTC)

Can you report the version numbers installed on different machines? Ruslik_Zero 20:57, 22 November 2021 (UTC)

Thanks. Yes.

* The Desktop with Windows 10 says ... Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2110 Build 16.0.14527.20234) 32-bit.

* The Laptop with Windows 11 says ... ( I just realized that I never installed Microsoft Office on this computer, as it is basically brand new. It has the "free trial version" pre-installed on the machine, but I have never used it at all, as of yet. )

* The Laptop with Windows 10 says ... Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2110 Build 16.0.14527.20234) 32-bit.

Thanks again. Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 21:13, 22 November 2021 (UTC)

Actually it is not a new problem. May be laptops and desktops are treated differently. Ruslik_Zero 20:29, 23 November 2021 (UTC)