And their use also differs a bit depending on whether you’re using a consumer or commercial version of Office 365. These other interfaces remain separate-meaning they’re still similar but different to and the Office 365 App Launcher.

Left unsaid is that there are other ways to access this functionality, including the Office app in Windows 10 and the Office extension for Chrome and other web browsers. (It looks like the App Launcher on consumer Office 365 only provides access to the apps, but not to documents.)

Schnoll is, I believe, referring solely to the commercial versions of Office 365, though those with Office 365 Home and Personal will also see similar interfaces, albeit with slightly different capabilities and apps.Īs noted, serves as a hub for your Office 365 apps and documents, while the Office 365 App Launcher, which is available from and numerous other Microsoft online services (like OneDrive,, and so on) provides similar functionality without requiring you to leave the experience you’re in. “We’ve also brought intelligence into the experience that customizes the experience based on your activities.”

“ is designed to be your work hub experience and help you quickly get to the apps, tools, documents, and content you use on a daily basis,” Microsoft’s Scott Schnoll writes in the announcement. Microsoft announced this week that and the Office 365 App Launcher will now provide the same user experience, a nice consolidation of what was previously two very similar but different interfaces.

Office app launcher