Microsoft 365's best apps are about to get a speed boost — here's when the rollout begins

Office 365 on Razer laptop
(Image credit: Jennifer Young - Windows Central)

The Microsoft Office apps on your PC are about to get a performance boost. A new feature, which will start rolling out in May, introduces a Startup Boost task to optimize the Office applications.

The new Startup Boost task will roll out for Microsoft Word at first and make its way to other Office applications in the future. The task is optional and is limited to systems that meet certain specs, so it shouldn't bog down your PC.

Microsoft 365 price increase

Microsoft announced a price increase for Microsoft 365 recently. That increase was the first in 12 years, but it still came as a disappointment to many.

Microsoft 365 Personal and Home subscriptions are now $3 more per month than before. There are classic plans for Microsoft 365 at a lower price, but those will only be available for a limited time.

I keep track of the best Microsoft 365 deals, and I'm sorry to report that the price increase has started to make its way to resellers and online retailers.

It is possible to stack a Microsoft 365 subscription, meaning you can extend your current plan. That means even if you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription, it's worth taking advantage of a good discount.

Microsoft 365 Personal (12 months)
Microsoft 365 Personal (12 months): was $99.99 now $69.99 at Walmart
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This is the best deal we can find on Microsoft 365 Personal. The discounted subscription gets you 12 months of Office, OneDrive storage, and everything else included with Microsoft 365 for $69.99.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 930, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.

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