Microsoft recently announced a new iteration of Windows called Windows 10 S. The iteration is basically a lightweight version of Windows 10 that’s capable of running full Windows apps, as long as they’re available on the Windows Store. Microsoft has thus released its Office productivity suite on the Windows Store. All Office apps can now be downloaded via the online store.
This isn’t the first time that Office is being listed on the Windows Store. However, it is the first time that Microsoft is enabling users to download and update the apps directly from the Windows Store.
It’s part of the company’s push to further expand the reach of its desktop operating system to markets that have been otherwise cornered by Chromebooks. The first tranche of Windows 10 S-based notebooks is aimed at students and businesses.
The company does point out in a support article that the Office version that’s listed on the Windows Store is going to have some limitations. Users will only be able to install the 32-bit versions of Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher.
Moreover, there’s no OneNote app included in the Windows Store version of Office, but users will be able to install the existing UWP app. All existing Office mobile apps will continue to work on Windows 10 S machines as well.