Office 2019 launches for Windows and Mac

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
last updated

Office 2019 hits general availability, launching first for commercial volume license customers on Windows and Mac.

Five months after first entering preview, Microsoft is launching Office 2019 into general availability today. Commercial volume license customers can get their hands on the followup to Office 2016 starting today, and Office 2019 will roll out (opens in new tab) to all consumer and commercial customers over the next several weeks.

Office 2019 represents the latest perpetual release of Microsoft's productivity suite for those who aren't yet ready to embrace the cloud with Office 365 ProPlus. The latest release essentially brings a number of features that have rolled out to Office 365 ProPlus over the past three years. Those include things like a roaming pencil case and improved inking features, new data analysis features in Excel, along with the ability to use Morph and Zoom effects in PowerPoint.

For Word and Outlook users, you'll see the addition of Learning Tools features like Read Aloud and Text Spacing. A new Focus Mode also lets you stay free of distractions while working on a document or browsing through your inbox.

Office 2019 includes updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher. Commercial volume license customers can get started with the new suite today, and all other customers will get access in the coming weeks.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the Editor in Chief for Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. Got a hot tip? Send it to daniel.thorp-lancaster@futurenet.com.

8 Comments
  • If I have Office 365, will it automatically upgrade to the 2019 version?
  • Normally yes.
  • Depends on how you look at it.
    Yes, you will be getting all the advancements that are in 2019..in fact you already have them. Office 2019 is a snapshot in time to be sold to people in a box. Office 365 is continuously updated.
    No, you will not see anything called Office 2019 if you are using Office 365. You likely don't see Office 2016 now if you look for it.
    There was a time when Office 365 subscribers got the 'current version of Office' at some point were offered the upgrade when it came out, and were able to install 'older versions' on demand. No longer the case, Office 365 is it's own version and continually updated.
  • I just bought three computers for my work. They had to be received and installed before September 30. They came with perpetual Office 2016 Pro licenses. I wonder if Microsoft will do something like they did with Office 2013 and allow anyone who purchased the previous version within a period of time (I think it was 90 days) to upgrade to the newer version without charge.
  • I would think they would.
  • If you bought it, it will definitely update to the latest because essentially, you arent buying the program, but the license key. Microsoft is also interested in everyone using their latest apps/programs, so as long as you've paid for it, it should update.
  • All I want in the way of Outlook improvements is push notifications and live tile support.
  • Does the Home Use Program get Office 2019 right away?