Subscriptions may be ideal for certain services such as Netflix, with its constant flow of new content, but for a suite of tools like Microsoft Office? Paying every month doesn't suit everyone, especially if all they want is access to the word processor and spreadsheet. Thankfully, a new perpetual license edition of the suite arrives next year.

Microsoft clearly pushes an Office subscription as the best way to access its always up-to-date suite of tools and services, while those who just want to buy a copy outright and use it for years to come are still using Office 2019, which released back in 2018. It was unclear whether 2019 would ever be replaced, but as spotted by Windows Central, Microsoft quietly confirmed in a news post by the Exchange team that "Microsoft Office will also see a new perpetual release for both Windows and Mac, in the second half of 2021."

There's no details regarding the name, price, or availability of this new version, but I suspect it may end up being called Office 2022. It also seems likely we'll see the typical Home and Business retail editions again. Microsoft has also previously offered Enterprise and Education editions for a set price, but it will be interesting to see if and how the pandemic and huge increase in remote learning impacts the perpetual license options. As the release isn't planned until the second half of 2021, I doubt we'll hear much more in the way of details about it until next year.

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