Pros & cons of using Free MSFT Office on the Web

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Free MSFT Office on the Web
Create, share, and collaborate for free with Office on the web
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web?legRedir=true&CorrelationId=ce942440-2e1e-4b06-99e4-3d470b3e2fa4

At the Senior Center where I volunteer, they use Microsoft Office and Microsoft Publisher.
— I do not know which version of either one.
They use Edge, Google Chrome as their default browser & Mozilla Firefox AFAIK.

However, they also have 2 desktop PC’s available for the public for anyone who comes in and wants to use one of them.

The first PC available for public use is on 1909 & does not have Microsoft Office or Microsoft Publisher.
— They would like to have Free Microsoft Office & Free Microsoft Publisher if possible.
— It also uses Edge, Google Chrome as the default browser & Mozilla Firefox.
— Apache Open Office 4 is in use.

The second PC available for public use has the Free MSFT Office on the Web available.
— If I remember correctly, it’s free for up to 50 GB.
— I’d appreciate knowing the pros & cons of using it.
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 is installed & ready to be used but it’s out of support October 10, 2017.
— I mentioned that and would like to see them using a modern Microsoft Office version.

With all of that said, I have a couple of concerns
Since those 2 PC’s are available to the public and the user account on each one of them is a Local Administrator account, I suspect that anyone using those PC’s will be able to know how the Office personnel are conducting business when the office personnel use Microsoft Office.
— Is that true?

Last but not least
They have a printer that works off the first PC available for public use.
— I’ll have to double check if it works via USB or wirelessly.
The second PC available for public doesn’t print to it as it isn’t listed in Devices & printers.
— How can I have the second PC print to it?
Both of the PC’s available to the public are in the same room with the printer between them.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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First I’d convert the users to non-admin.
Then I’d install DeepFreeze or similar.

Can’t comment on MSFT.

We need details about the printer model and connection method before we can advise on that.

cheers, Paul

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cmptrgy

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Paul T wrote:

First I’d convert the users to non-admin.
Then I’d install DeepFreeze or similar.

Can’t comment on MSFT.

We need details about the printer model and connection method before we can advise on that.

cheers, Paul

I agree with using a non-admin account & had made that recommendation but it wasn’t accepted.

The printer is an HP LaserJet MFP M426fdn. I believe it’s used wirelessly but I’ll verify that as soon as I can.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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cmptrgy wrote:

had made that recommendation but it wasn’t accepted

There was an option?

cheers, Paul

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My post #2320104
“The printer is an HP LaserJet MFP M426fdn. I believe it’s used wirelessly but I’ll verify that as soon as I can.”
— It works via USB on one of the 2 PC’s. As a result, it has been set-up as a stand alone printer.

I wish to have the other PC print from that same printer.
— I believe it’s best to have the 2nd PC print wirelessly. Advice please.

On both PC’s available to the public each having only 1 Administrator account, I’ll have to deal with that separately.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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cmptrgy wrote:

“The printer is an HP LaserJet MFP M426fdn. I believe it’s used wirelessly but I’ll verify that as soon as I can.”
— It works via USB on one of the 2 PC’s. As a result, it has been set-up as a stand alone printer.

The M426FDN is a networked printer. The M426FDW is the wireless version.
🙂

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cmptrgy

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If the printer has a wireless network option and you can install a wireless network dongle in the other computer that the printer isn’t hooked up to, that would be the better way to go.

The other option I can think of is to go into the printer’s properties sheet via Control Panel>Devices and Printers. In the “Printer properties” context menu option (right click on the printer in question and select “Printer properties” NOT just “Properties”) is a tab labeled “Sharing” that will allow you to share the printer with another computer on the same network. BUT, it also requires the printer’s driver(s) to be installed on the other computer that the printer isn’t physically connected to. For some folks, that can be an awfully big BUT.

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cmptrgy

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The computers are on the network, why isn’t the printer? Then it’s a no brainer.

cheers, Paul

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cmptrgy

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Paul T wrote:

The computers are on the network, why isn’t the printer? Then it’s a no brainer.

cheers, Paul

If I had set them up, that would have been a no-brainer.
I’m trying to work within the system the office has set-up the way they are.

Getting them on the network will be accomplished.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Sorry, not meaning to demean your efforts.

cheers, Paul

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Not a problem Paul. I have volunteered quite a few years and its astounding how many times issues come up as a result of “who knows why this was set-up that way”. I’m sure we all have our stories and in my case I’ve become pretty adept of “going with the flow” but I do keep notes of important items so that it’s possible to solve an issue under the umbrella of comments amounting to “I didn’t know that” and that’s when I pull out my logbook and point out the issue that was discussed. At the same time, I hold myself accountable when I have to correct myself also.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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From @cmptrgy
The second PC available for public use has the Free MSFT Office on the Web available.
— If I remember correctly, it’s free for up to 50 GB.
— I’d appreciate knowing the pros & cons of using it.

I would like to know the pros & cons of MSFT Office on the Web (or is it Office Online?) too. I’m currently using a refurbished Compaq CQ60 that I’m going to buy from a friend that isn’t using it. She went through a class that taught her computers & Office (I think), & gave her the PC at the end of the class. I currently have it updated to Windows 10 Version 1909. It hasn’t attempted to update to Version 2004 yet, because of conflicts (?) with Conexant audio drivers. I have Feature Updates deferred for 365 days anyway, so until those situations change (& Patch Lady Susan gives the okay & has moved to 2004), I’m fine with 1909.

I also have an Office icon pinned to my taskbar. When I launch it, it brings up a window (app?) that has icons on the side for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, To Do, & other icons. Clicking an icon opens a tab in my web browser for the specific app (product?!); obviously this is Office on the Web AKA Online. It shows lists of Recent, Pinned & Shared with me files. On the top right, just below icons for Settings, Help & my Profile, I have 2 boxes. The one on the Left says “Install Office” & the one on the Right says “Buy Office”. “Buy Office” indicates I’m on the Current plan (free) of Microsoft 365, with 5 GB cloud storage & online apps only. The Premium choices are Microsoft 365 Personal, with 1 TB cloud storage & premium versions, or Microsoft 365 Family, with 6 TB cloud storage, premium versions, & up to 6 accounts that a family can share. These are obviously Subscriptions, either monthly or annually.

“Install Office” has a pop-up that says “Go premium” & probably routes you to Subscribing. I assume Subscribing downloads the premium apps to my machine, after taking payment for the selected version of Office, either monthly or annually. I also know that Subscribing will update Microsoft 365 with any new features, as they become available. On my “old” Win8.1 machine (soon to be Eight years old), I have Office 2013 Home & Student Edition. Office 2013 reaches End of Support (EOL?) on 04/11/23. I have uploaded all my files to OneDrive, so they can be accessed via Office Online and/or Microsoft 365.

Again, I would like to know the Pros & Cons of Office Online & Microsoft 365; specifically with MSFT 365, am I being Forced to subscribe & pay indefinitely? I guess I could buy Office 2016 or 2019 one-time, but 2019 Mainstream support is scheduled to end 10/10/23. Extended End of Support (EOL?) for 2016 & 2019 ends 10/14/25. Based on what the Office icon looks like on my taskbar, it’s based on Office… oops, Microsoft 365/Office 2019.

Bought a refurbished Windows 10 64-bit, currently updated to 22H2. Have broke the AC adapter cord going to the 8.1 machine, but before that, coaxed it into charging. Need to buy new adapter if wish to continue using it.
Wild Bill Rides Again...

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@WildBill post #2324754
“I would like to know the Pros & Cons of Office Online & Microsoft 365; specifically with MSFT 365”
Looks like we are on the same page.

When it comes to pros & cons, they can be subject on what my needs are vs. someone else’s needs.
One reason I ask about pros & cons sometimes isn’t because there is an exact answer but because sometimes a comment or two by someone is very useful either way: positive or negative.

When I’m concerned about my needs and can’t tell the differences yet, I usually decide on what to start with.
— I learn from how I’m using what I decided to try.
— If I like what’s going on, I’ll fine-tune what applies for me.
— If I don’t, I’ll move on.
— Either way, I create system image & data backups.

However, when I’m trying to help someone where I volunteer I need to put a few things in perspective
— What is that person’s actual goals.
— And in such cases, schedule quarterly, minimally annual, follow-up appointments until that person is ok with what needs to be kept up with.
— It isn’t a perfect system but for the handful who do follow through it makes a big difference for both of us.

In addition to the link in my opening post #2319948

You might find this article interesting
A Free Microsoft Office: Is Office Online Worth Using?
https://www.howtogeek.com/183299/a-free-microsoft-office-is-office-online-worth-using/

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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WildBill

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