Microsoft sparks backlash after it rebrands Workplace software program

Microsoft Workplace customers have criticised the tech big’s newest rebranding determination after it modified the identify of its widely-used software program suite.

The package deal, that includes Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote, was initially launched by Invoice Gates’ firm in 1990 and at the moment serves roughly 400 million customers globally. Nevertheless, final week customers encountered a dialogue field informing them of the identify change.

“Welcome to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app,” it acknowledged. “The Microsoft 365 Copilot app (previously Workplace) helps you to create, share and collaborate multi function place along with your favorite apps now together with Copilot.”

Copilot, which was launched in 2023 as Cortana’s successor, is a synthetic intelligence chatbot designed to boost person productiveness by content material era and job automation. 

Upon studying of the rebrand, in the meantime, software program developer and enterprise proprietor Peter Dedene expressed his frustration: “RIP MS Workplace. RIP Microsoft 365. Now it is ‘Microsoft 365 Copilot’. We’re one rebrand away from Excel being a immediate field that claims ‘belief me bro, the maths checks out’.”

A second particular person criticised the transfer: “Microsoft Workplace is likely one of the most recognisable manufacturers on the earth. That is worse than renaming Twitter to X. I wish to have a 2-hour podcast dialogue with the center supervisor who authorised this determination.”

A 3rd observer remarked: “It is dumb and model destroying, sure, however be aware that the model destruction really occurred again in 2020 once they renamed Workplace to ‘Microsoft 365’ – it did not have something to do with AI.”

While a fourth X person weighed in: “They spent many years constructing probably the most recognisable model in productiveness solely to cover it behind a brand new AI label! It’s a clear sign that they wish to be seen as an AI firm first and a software program suite second. Most of us will most likely nonetheless name it Workplace till the solar burns out no matter what the icon says.”

Microsoft defended the rebrand, explaining: “The Microsoft 365 (Workplace) app is now known as the Microsoft 365 Copilot app throughout internet (workplace.com, microsoft365.com), cellular (iOS, Android), and Home windows. The brand new app identify and icon displays the combination of Copilot throughout the Microsoft 365 app.”

The tech big added: “The Microsoft 365 Copilot app continues to function your on a regular basis productiveness app for work and life. However within the period of AI and integration of Copilot, it is develop into way more than that. We have made a number of enhancements to innovate the work and training expertise, in addition to for customers with a private account.”

Elsewhere, Gareth Oystryk, Senior Director of Advertising at Microsoft 365, addressed the backlash, clarifying: “Now we have not made any latest naming adjustments to our Workplace apps. Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint, the Workplace apps throughout the Microsoft 365 productiveness suite, stay unchanged.

“In November 2022, we renamed solely the Workplace “hub” app for internet and cellular to the Microsoft 365 app. In January 2025, we up to date it to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app to replicate its function in bringing Copilot and Microsoft 365 productiveness experiences collectively in a single place.”

Microsoft has suggested customers: “Current customers with a piece and/or private account can see these adjustments mirrored on their internet (workplace.com, microsoft365.com), cellular (iOS, Android) and Home windows app.

“In the event you’re signed in and nonetheless not seeing the change, be sure to connect with the web after which restart the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.”