![Microsoft Word: Researcher feature will retire starting late December 2024 [MC901824]](https://mwpro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/pexels-goumbik-296287-1024x683.webp "Microsoft Word: Researcher feature will retire starting late December 2024 [MC901824] 1")
Message ID: MC901824
We will retire the Researcher feature in Microsoft Word starting January 2025. After Researcher retires, Researcher will not appear on the ribbon in Word and Researcher will no longer be supported. This message applies to Word for Windows desktops and Word for Mac desktops. Researcher was never available in the other Word platforms (Word for the web or Word for Android/iOS).
Microsoft is committed to improving your Microsoft 365 subscription. As a result, we occasionally remove features and benefits that duplicate equivalent offerings that are available to subscribers. Microsoft Copilot is a good alternative to Researcher.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late December 2024 and expect to complete by early January 2025.
[What you need to do to prepare:]
You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.
Source: Microsoft
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The retirement of the Researcher feature in Microsoft Word starting late December 2024 will have an impact on both admins and users. Admins may need to inform their users about this change and update any relevant documentation to ensure a smooth transition. Users who rely on the Researcher feature may need to adapt to using alternative tools like Microsoft Copilot.
In terms of criticality, while the retirement of Researcher may cause some initial inconvenience, Microsoft is committed to enhancing the Microsoft 365 subscription by removing features that duplicate existing offerings. So, in the grand scheme of things, this change is aimed at streamlining and improving the user experience.
Remember, change is inevitable, just like the evolution of Microsoft Word features. So, embrace the updates, explore new tools like Copilot, and keep those creative juices flowing in your documents!