Farewell Office Insiders — say hello to the Microsoft 365 Insider program
The Office Insider program has a new name and more apps and services to test.
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What you need to know
Microsoft just renamed the Office Insider program. It’s now known as the Microsoft 365 Insider program, which brings it in line with the push toMicrosoft 365branding that’s occurred recently. All Office Insiders will continue to receive Insider updates. This is an expansion of the current program, not a shift away from anything that was already available.
The Office Insider program initially rolled out in late 2015. It lives on under the new brand and people will still be able to test out Office features and provide feedback to Microsoft through the Microsoft 365 Insider program. The new name aligns more with Microsoft’s current vision of its software sweet and expands the range of products that Insiders can test.
Microsoft 365 has grown over the years to include several apps that aren’t part of the Office suite. Microsoft has clarified that it will continue to use the Office brand where appropriate, but the company has largely shifted to the Microsoft 365 name. Most notably, consumers and businesses can still purchaseOffice 2021as a standalone product and Office LTSC plans.
AnInsider blog postannounced the new name of the program. It includes some questions and answers, such as “what is changing” and “when will these changes happen.” To summarize, the program is being expanded to include Microsoft 365 apps and services that are not part of the Office suite. Changes have already started rolling out and will continue throughout March 2023.
Theofficial Twitter handleand community sites for the Insider program already reflect the name change.
You can register to become a Microsoft 365 Insider on theprogram’s website(which ironically still uses “Office” in its domain).
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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 740, 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_.
