TL;DR
A recent change to Microsoft's product page made it appear that Microsoft 365 had been renamed to "Microsoft 365 Copilot," though the company has not actually renamed the suite. The update referred to an older 2019 Office app and reignited complaints about Microsoft's sprawling Copilot branding and a broader industry pattern of confusing rebrands with real business consequences.
What happened
Microsoft updated the product page for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app in a way that led many readers to conclude Microsoft had renamed Microsoft 365 itself. The page used phrasing that referenced "formerly Office," but that label related to an older 2019 Office app that simply directed users to web-based Office tools. Microsoft has not officially rebranded the broader Microsoft 365 suite. The episode highlighted a recurring problem: Microsoft has been applying the single Copilot name across many different offerings — from Microsoft 365 Copilot to GitHub Copilot and Copilot in Windows — each with distinct features, pricing, and integrations. Regulators have noticed: the National Advertising Division found Microsoft's Copilot branding could mislead consumers. The situation joins a history of confusing product-name changes at Microsoft (including several Office subscription renames, Lync/Skype/Teams transitions, and shifting .NET terminology) and echoes wider industry missteps where rebrands have damaged product identity and, in some cases, revenue.
Why it matters
- Ambiguous naming can confuse users about what product they're buying or using, reducing trust and engagement.
- Applying one brand to multiple, different offerings makes it harder to understand capabilities, pricing, and platform fit.
- Regulatory scrutiny (the NAD finding) shows misleading branding can draw formal challenges and reputational risk.
- History shows some rebrands have measurable financial fallout — a reminder that naming decisions can affect revenue and market perception.
Key facts
- Microsoft altered the Microsoft 365 Copilot app product page to include language suggesting it was "formerly Office."
- The "Office" referenced on that page was an older 2019 Office app that routed users to free online Office tools, not the full Microsoft 365 suite.
- Microsoft has not actually renamed the Microsoft 365 suite, according to the report.
- Microsoft continues to sell a standalone Office suite; the most recent named release mentioned is Microsoft Office 2024.
- The Copilot name is used across multiple Microsoft products, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Copilot in Windows, and Copilot for Security, each differing in function and pricing.
- The National Advertising Division found aspects of Microsoft's Copilot branding to be potentially misleading.
- Microsoft has a record of multiple, layered renames in its product lineup (for example, Office 365 ProPlus to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and changes from Lync to Skype to Teams).
- Developers have faced long-standing confusion around the .NET brand due to shifts in product names, versions, and the scope of different .NET-related technologies.
- Other corporate rebrands cited as more damaging include Twitter's change to X, which analysts estimate coincided with about a 46% drop in global ad revenue from roughly $4.5 billion in 2022 to about $2.2 billion in 2023.
What to watch next
- Whether Microsoft issues clarification or further changes to product pages to reduce user confusion (not confirmed in the source).
- Any further regulatory follow-up or advertising scrutiny related to Copilot branding (not confirmed in the source).
- If Microsoft elects to formally rename or consolidate its Copilot-branded offerings into a single, clearly differentiated product lineup (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Microsoft 365: A subscription-based suite of productivity tools and services from Microsoft, including Office apps and cloud features.
- Copilot: A brand Microsoft applies to AI-assisted features and products; it appears on multiple, distinct offerings rather than a single unified product.
- Rebrand: A change in a product's or company’s name, logo, or messaging intended to alter public perception or align with a new strategy.
- National Advertising Division (NAD): A self-regulatory body that reviews advertising claims and may recommend changes if marketing is found to be misleading.
- .NET: A family of Microsoft software development platforms and standards; historically used to refer to several different runtimes and specifications.
Reader FAQ
Has Microsoft officially renamed Microsoft 365 to Microsoft 365 Copilot?
No. The product page wording suggested a rename, but the change referred to an older 2019 Office app; Microsoft has not actually renamed the Microsoft 365 suite.
Are all Copilot-branded products the same?
No. The Copilot name covers multiple offerings with different capabilities, pricing, and integrations.
Did any regulator raise concerns about Copilot branding?
Yes. The National Advertising Division found that Microsoft's Copilot branding could be misleading.
Did the Twitter-to-X rebrand affect revenue?
Analyst estimates cited in the report attribute an approximate 46% drop in global ad revenue—about $4.5 billion in 2022 to roughly $2.2 billion in 2023—after the rebrand.
SOFTWARE The Microsoft 365 Copilot app rebrand was bad, but there are far worse offenders The software wasn't actually renamed, but you couldn't be blamed for being confused Steven J….
Sources
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