Can Office 365 (downloaded apps) and Office 2021 run on the same computer? I recently bought a new laptop and decided to subscribe to Office 365 rather than purchase a single use Office 2021 license. I'd hoped that Outlook 365 could be configured for multiple email accounts like I'd had with an older version (Office 2010), but unfortunately it doesn't. I have 6 external email accounts that I want to manage inside of Outlook (don't like logging into the ISP webpage to read email). And I want all of the new email from those separate addresses delivered to a single .pst file inside of Outlook. All of the accounts are IMAP, and Outlook 365 doesn't let you change the associated Outlook Data File on that type of account.
So, now I'm considering purchasing a single use Office 2021 license to install on the new laptop just so I can (hopefully) get Outlook to work the way I want. I like the way the other apps (Word, Excel, etc.) work in Office 365, just not Outlook. So, my question is - can I have both, downloaded apps from Office 365 and installed apps from Office 2021 running on the same laptop?
Hi, You would have great difficulty having Outlook running on two computers. In any event it is not advisable to have two versions of Office of any kind running at the same time, or even on the same computer (although I have Office Professional 2003 as well as Office Home and Business on my computer without any problem). NOTE: Once you purchase Office 2021 and install it, you can uninstall it and reinstall it at any time in the future from your Office Account which is created when you first setup your Office 2021. This is the BIG difference between Office 2010 and Office 2013/2016/2019/2021. With the newer versions of Office they are more tied to the internet than pre 2013 versions of Office.
Office 365 has the same desktop version of Outlook as Office 2021. But of course Office 365 is tied very closely with the internet. You have to be signed in at least once every 31 days.
This is what Microsoft says about the difference between Office 365 and Office 2021:
"Office 2021 is sold as a one-time purchase, which means you pay a single, up-front cost to get Office apps for one computer. One-time purchases are available for both PCs and Macs. However, there are no upgrade options, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price.
"Microsoft 365 is a subscription that includes the most collaborative, up-to-date features in one seamless, integrated experience. Microsoft 365 includes the robust Office desktop apps that you’re familiar with, like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You also get extra online storage and cloud-connected features that let you collaborate on files in real time. With a subscription, you'll always have the latest features, fixes, and security updates along with ongoing tech support at no extra cost. You can choose to pay for your subscription on a monthly or yearly basis, and the Microsoft 365 Family plan lets you share your subscription with your family for up to 6 people, and use your apps on multiple PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Microsoft 365 & Office AND
Do I need an internet connection:
"Internet access is required to install and activate all the latest releases of apps and services included in all Microsoft 365 subscription plans. Note that if you are an existing subscriber, you do not need to reinstall or purchase another subscription.
For Microsoft 365 plans, Internet access is also needed to manage your subscription account, for example to install apps on other PCs or to change billing options. Internet access is also required to access documents stored on OneDrive, unless you install the OneDrive desktop app.
You should also connect to the Internet regularly to keep your version of Microsoft 365 up to date and to benefit from automatic upgrades. If you do not connect to the Internet at least every 31 days, your apps will go into reduced functionality mode, which means that you can view or print your documents but cannot edit the documents or create new ones. To reactivate your apps, simply reconnect to the Internet.
You do not need to be connected to the Internet to use Office apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, because the apps are fully installed on your computer."
