Microsoft Deliberately Bricking All Office for Mac 2019/2021 Installations
3 hours ago
- #software licensing
- #Microsoft Office
- #consumer rights
- Microsoft will remotely degrade Office 2019 and 2021 for macOS to view-only mode on July 13, 2026 due to an expiring license certificate, despite earlier assurances the apps would continue functioning.
- The change forces users to switch to Office 365, use web apps, or buy Office 2024, sparking criticism about the ethics of proprietary software and unenforceable EULA terms.
- Discussions suggest potential legal action, comparisons to other software licensing issues, and recommendations for open-source alternatives like Only Office or LyX.