We found a way to get 6 Office apps for life for just $50 (MSRP $250)

nypost.com Sep 24, 2026

We found a way to get 6 Office apps for life for just $50 (MSRP $250)

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft offers a one‑time purchase of Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows at $49.97, down from the $249.99 MSRP, until October 4. The bundle includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access, each priced under $9 for permanent use. The license is device‑bound via a unique key, eliminating subscription fees and linking to the PC rather than a Microsoft account. The offer targets users upgrading PCs or needing a new license, with instant download and activation after purchase. The deal requires Windows 10 or 11.

💡 Why It Matters

· It delivers full Office functionality without recurring costs, reshaping how consumers budget for productivity software.

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Hate your keyboard’s Copilot key? Remap it to any app you want

Newer keyboards include a Copilot key that launches Microsoft’s AI chatbot by default. Users who prefer other functions can reassign the key via Windows Settings under “Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard” and select “Search” or “Custom.” For more flexibility, Microsoft PowerToys’ Keyboard Manager allows mapping the Copilot key to any application. Users install PowerToys, enable the Keyboard Manager, add a new remapping, press the Copilot key (Shift + Windows + F23), choose “Open App,” and browse to the desired executable. The change takes effect immediately and can be removed by deleting the remapping.

💡 Customizing the Copilot key lets power users streamline workflow and repurpose a dedicated hardware button, enhancing productivity without hardware changes.

eurogamer.net · Sep 24

Xbox lays off Gears of War: E-Day’s story director barely two weeks…

The story director for Gears of War: E‑Day, Juan Vaca, was laid off during Microsoft’s recent Xbox restructuring, just two weeks before the game’s October 6 release. Vaca, who joined Coalition in 2022 and spent over four years on the title, announced his dismissal on LinkedIn and offered his services to other studios. The layoffs, part of a broader 268‑developer cut, also affected several other Xbox studios, including Rare, Playground, and Halo. The impact on E‑Day’s narrative direction remains unclear.

💡 The departure of a key creative figure so close to launch raises questions about the final polish of the game’s story. It also signals a broader shift in Microsoft’s approach to studio management and talent retention.

windowslatest.com · Sep 23

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 quietly stopped backing up your files due to…

Microsoft confirmed that the September 2026 Windows 11 update (KB5124008) introduced a bug that disables File History backups for most users. The feature, which automatically backs up libraries to external or network drives, now fails to recognize connected drives and shows incorrect timestamps. Microsoft acknowledged the issue on September 22, noting false “reconnect your drive” alerts and potential crashes of FileHistory.exe. The problem affects nearly all installations of the 25H2 and 24H2 builds.

💡 Users relying on File History for data protection are suddenly left without a reliable backup mechanism, risking accidental data loss. The bug undermines a core Windows 11 feature that many depend on for file recovery.

microsoft.com · Sep 23

Microsoft introduces a new approach to security operations built for AI agents

Microsoft announced the Integrated Security Operations Center (ISOC) within Microsoft Defender, a unified platform that merges SIEM, threat protection, and agentic security into a single cyber stack. ISOC provides shared signals, context, and actuators, enabling AI agents and human analysts to operate as one system. The new framework eliminates the need for separate tools, allowing continuous detection, prediction, and real‑time response to evolving threats. It builds on the 2026 end‑to‑end stack and Project Perception to deliver faster, more coordinated defense.

💡 By fusing protection and operations, ISOC removes the bottlenecks that slow human defenders, giving them more time to prioritize and make strategic decisions while agents handle high‑speed execution. This integration could redefine how security teams allocate resources and respond to AI‑driven attacks.

windowscentral.com · Sep 23

After 10 years, Microsoft revives the Surface Mouse with a fresh design…

Microsoft announced a new Surface Mouse, its first standalone Surface accessory in a decade, at the Snapdragon Summit. The black model features a soft‑touch finish, near‑silent clickers, a built‑in vibration motor for haptic feedback on Windows actions, and an extra programmable action button. Priced at $79.99, it launches on October 13 and follows the 2025 Surface Arc Mouse and 2018 Surface Precision Mouse. The haptics make it the second mouse with such a feature after Logitech’s MX Master 4.

💡 The return of a dedicated Surface peripheral signals Microsoft’s renewed focus on the Surface ecosystem, offering users a tactile, integrated experience that enhances Windows productivity.

windowscentral.com · Sep 23

AI comes to Surface Ink: Microsoft’s new Canvas transforms handwriting into a…

Sean Endicott, a seasoned News Writer at Windows Central, specializes in Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, and the broader Windows ecosystem. With over a thousand articles since 2017, he covers breaking news, analysis, and feature stories, and hosts the weekly Windows Wrap column that curates key industry developments. Endicott holds a First Class Broadcast Journalism degree from Nottingham Trent University and brings experience from live production and media. Outside tech, he coaches youth American football in Nottingham, earning the 2024 BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year award.

💡 Endicott’s dual expertise in journalism and tech provides readers with timely, in-depth insights into Microsoft’s evolving product line, while his community coaching role underscores the broader cultural impact of tech professionals.