Office-like software for free?

[DebAmstutz]

Is there software available that is similar to MS Office that I can use on my (old) notebook computer?  The notebook actually has Windows 10 but can't update to Windows 11 (and that's ok).  I'd like to be able to write and save documents and spreadsheets.  I don't have a Google account and don't want to have one.  Is there anything downloadable that I can obtain without a Google account?

[Mark]

You're missing out in some regards by avoiding the Google account, but you asked for a downloadable program and I shall deliver to you "Open Office" https://www.openoffice.org/ 

[Billy Welsh]

I have used Open Office on and off for years.  I like it a lot for the price.  There are some adjustments as far as menus and such, but that's to be expected.

I have much less experience with the Google suite, simply because of circumstances.  I've dabbled with it here and there, but any "medium-to-heavy lifting" has mostly been done with Office.  I've done a fair amount of basic stuff in Open Office.  I have no reason to doubt Mark's assessment of the Google apps.

I also believe like some others that Google is evil.  But then so is M$ and Amazon and others.  But at the same time I have nothing to hide and my individual data just isn't all that valuable.  So I accept that Google is data-mining my Gmail and just live with it.  I use Duck-Duck-Go for searching when I can.  And I no longer use Chrome if I can avoid it.  Probably doesn't do much but make me feel a little better  .

We will reach a point in the next few years where my current personal copy of Office ages out.  At that point I will be back to Open Office or the Google apps.  Right now I am paying monthly for Office 365 because of volunteer stuff my wife does for my son's high school lacrosse team.  He will be a senior next year.  When lacrosse is over, so is that monthly expense at which point we revert back to whatever static Office version I last purchased.

[Charlie Charbonneau]

I'll second or third those responses.

Kids now-a-days are not even being taught office anymore.  It's almost 100% Google. Docs, Sheets the works.  Will Office be the new WordPerfect?  I can fumble through Google, but still prefer Office.

Looking at the "Chrome Box"  the size of a small router in the Dr.'s office this morning, the PC is due for a drastic redesign and overhaul if it wants to stay relevant. 

[Mark]

I prefer Office over everything. But the Google suite makes it so easy to move from computer to computer, access from your phone or tablet, collaborate or share if needed, and it's 100% free. That's what I like about that.

[Billy Welsh]

I believe they are not being taught Office because Google outsmarted M$.  They are practically giving away the Chromebooks, whereas M$ charges for Office and I'm sure online 365 mysteriously has "issues" trying to run on a Chromebook (just as my corporate G-Mail does not get along with Outlook).  So the kids are being fed a steady diet of only Google.

I'll second or third those responses.

Kids now-a-days are not even being taught office anymore.  It's almost 100% Google. Docs, Sheets the works.  Will Office be the new WordPerfect?  I can fumble through Google, but still prefer Office.

Looking at the "Chrome Box"  the size of a small router in the Dr.'s office this morning, the PC is due for a drastic redesign and overhaul if it wants to stay relevant.

[Jeff Golas]

and it's 100% free. That's what I like about that.

It's not so free anymore...I think Google workspace got rid of the free version, or its limited. That was fairly recent, like in the last 6 months.

[Mark]

It's not so free anymore...I think Google workspace got rid of the free version, or its limited. That was fairly recent, like in the last 6 months.

You may be right, I have been getting admin notifications about Workspace from Google, but I have not seen anything about them charging for anything.  I setup my kids school with Google Apps for Education way back when and am still an admin.

[DebAmstutz]

Thanks for all the replies!  I don't mind "missing out" on computer-related things.  I am getting a new phone because the flip phone that I have is 3G.  My new phone will also be a flip phone.  All I need to do is talk and text, neither of which I do frequently, so why would I need a smart phone?  Some features, like the camera, would be nice, but I use an Ipad mini that I've had for ages as a camera.  I think more people would actually be happier if they weren't "married" to their phones.  Just my opinion.

[Jim Jensen]

If you have an iPad. then you likely have an iCloud account, which includes Numbers and Pages. You can use them online from your computer, or you can download the apps to your iPad. I'm not sure whether a windows version exists. I've also used OpenOffice.

Thanks for all the replies!  I don't mind "missing out" on computer-related things.  I am getting a new phone because the flip phone that I have is 3G.  My new phone will also be a flip phone.  All I need to do is talk and text, neither of which I do frequently, so why would I need a smart phone?  Some features, like the camera, would be nice, but I use an Ipad mini that I've had for ages as a camera.  I think more people would actually be happier if they weren't "married" to their phones.  Just my opinion.

[DebAmstutz]

Yeah, there is probably an iCloud account somewhere, but I have no clue what the password is any more.  Also, the iPad mini is old enough that it no longer updates.  I am not familiar with Apple items, so that's why the iPad is used as a camera.  It has also been used when there's an app for a conference or convention since I don't have a smart phone.

[Mark]

I think more people would actually be happier if they weren't "married" to their phones.  Just my opinion.

Phones suck.  I use a walkies-talkie a lot.  No even joking.  It can be sort of an in-between texting and talking on the phone.  It can also travel the globe - and can even be used while driving (legally).

[Tom Fisher]

For those that want a non-microsoft and non-cloud bases solution (Give me the bits!) - we typically push people towards Libre Office over OpenOffice.  Libre seems to have much more development behind it.

[Hans Manhave]

For those who are still looking, this one appears to be pretty good:  ONLYOFFICE

ONLYOFFICE.COM should get you there.  It now includes PDF editing.  So far it has done well with my Excel spreadsheets. 

I don't link to TAM anyway so nothing was lost there.