TL;DR
Social posts claimed Microsoft had rebranded Office as "Microsoft 365 Copilot," but that is incorrect. The confusion stems from Microsoft’s Office.com messaging and a separate Copilot hub app that Microsoft rebranded from its Microsoft 365 app in late 2024.
What happened
Over the past few days, posts on Reddit, Hacker News and X suggested Microsoft had renamed its Office suite to "Microsoft 365 Copilot." Those reports are the result of confusing branding on Microsoft’s Office.com site, which now promotes a Microsoft 365 Copilot app. That app functions as a hub offering access to Copilot alongside Office web apps, and Microsoft’s site even describes it as “formerly Office,” a reference to an older app experience. The timeline in the site’s messaging reflects prior renames: Microsoft moved from the standalone Office label to the Microsoft 365 name in 2022, and in November 2024 it rebranded the Microsoft 365 hub app as a Copilot-branded experience. Despite social claims, the core Office branding for the suite has not been renamed to “Microsoft 365 Copilot app,” according to reporting on the topic.
Why it matters
- Branding changes and inconsistent messaging can create widespread confusion for users and organizations seeking Microsoft products.
- Misinterpretation of site copy can lead to viral misinformation on social platforms and tech forums.
- Customers deciding on subscriptions or deployments may misunderstand what a Copilot-branded hub represents vs. the traditional Office apps.
- Clear product naming matters for discoverability and support, especially when AI features are added across services.
Key facts
- Multiple posts on Reddit, Hacker News and X claimed Microsoft had rebranded Office to Microsoft 365 Copilot.
- Microsoft has not renamed the Office suite to “Microsoft 365 Copilot app,” according to the reporting.
- Office.com currently promotes a Microsoft 365 Copilot app that serves as a hub for Copilot and Office web apps.
- The site’s copy includes a line describing the Copilot app as “formerly Office,” which has contributed to the confusion.
- An older Office app launched in 2019 to promote online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Microsoft rebranded the Office name to Microsoft 365 in 2022.
- In November 2024 Microsoft announced it would rebrand the Microsoft 365 app into a Copilot-branded hub.
What to watch next
- Whether Microsoft issues clearer public messaging or updates Office.com wording to reduce confusion (not confirmed in the source).
- If users and enterprises raise questions that prompt Microsoft to clarify product names and distinctions (not confirmed in the source).
- Any further branding changes from Microsoft that could alter how the Office suite and Copilot hub are presented (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Microsoft Office: The suite of productivity applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, historically marketed under the 'Office' name.
- Microsoft 365: A subscription-based bundle of Microsoft’s productivity apps and cloud services; Microsoft moved to this naming in place of the older Office brand.
- Copilot: A Microsoft brand applied to AI-assisted features and experiences integrated into its products.
- Hub app: An application that provides a centralized entry point to multiple services or tools, rather than being a single-purpose app.
Reader FAQ
Did Microsoft officially rename Office to Microsoft 365 Copilot?
No. The reporting indicates Office has not been renamed to the "Microsoft 365 Copilot app."
Why does Office.com show Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Office.com is promoting a Copilot-branded hub app that provides access to Copilot and Office web apps; the site refers to that hub as “formerly Office.”
When did Microsoft change the Office name to Microsoft 365?
Microsoft rebranded Office to Microsoft 365 in 2022, according to the report.
Was there a recent rebrand of the Microsoft 365 app itself?
Yes. The company announced in November 2024 that it would rebrand the Microsoft 365 app into a Copilot-branded hub, per the source.
TECH REPORT ANALYSIS No, Microsoft didn’t rebrand Office to Microsoft 365 Copilot But you’re right to be confused. by Tom Warren Jan 6, 2026, 10:48 AM UTC 0 0 Comments Image: Microsoft Tom Warren is…
Sources
- No, Microsoft didn’t rebrand Office to Microsoft 365 Copilot
- In a truly galaxy-brained rebrand, Microsoft Office is now …
- Microsoft Office renamed to “Microsoft 365 Copilot app”
- Microsoft renames Office 365 overnight to '365 Copilot' in …
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