Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Yes—if your work is mostly ordinary documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. LibreOffice 26.8 can open and save Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats, runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and works offline. It is not an AI office suite, however: The Document Foundation says, “LibreOffice 26.8 contains no generative AI features.” Microsoft 365 remains the stronger fit when you depend on VBA automation, exact Microsoft file fidelity, cloud collaboration, or Copilot’s access to company context across apps.

The practical choice is a workflow decision, not a simple “open source versus proprietary” vote. Test your real templates, charts, tracked changes, fonts, macros, and sharing process before moving everyone.

What “open-source AI office tools” means in practice

The phrase combines two different capabilities. An open-source office suite is software whose source code is available under an open license and that can be installed and used without a mandatory subscription. An AI office tool adds features such as drafting, summarizing, formula assistance, or presentation generation. Those are not automatically present in every open-source suite.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

LibreOffice is the most clearly documented open-source desktop alternative in this comparison, but its current 26.8 release deliberately has no built-in generative AI. You can use an external AI service alongside Writer, Calc, or Impress, but that creates a separate workflow with its own privacy, account, and network considerations. It should not be described as an AI office suite.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Compressed Air Duster,130000RPM Super Power Cordless Air Duster,Rechargeable Brushless Blower,3 Gear Adjustable Blower with LED Light,Dust Remover for Computer/House/Outdoor/Car
  • Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
  • With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
  • Wide Application: attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
  • Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
  • Economical &Reusable: Built durable materials with a long-lasting battery,our CAGIWIRU air duster it's a sustainable alternative to disposable air cans.

Collabora’s release-page summary for Collabora Office 26.04 describes AI assistance in Writer, Calc, and Impress and says document access is zero by default unless a user shares it. Those details come from a vendor summary and should be verified against the current official documentation before deployment. Confirm which models are supported, where inference runs, what controls administrators have, and whether the exact build you plan to use includes the feature.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a different category again. Microsoft describes the commercial product as coordinating large language models, Microsoft Graph data that a user is permitted to access (such as emails, chats, and documents), and Microsoft 365 applications. It is an integrated context layer, not merely a text-generation button inside an editor.

What LibreOffice 26.8 includes

The Document Foundation announced LibreOffice 26.8 on 26 August 2026. The 26.8 feature family is the current release line; a 26.8.1 maintenance update was announced on 2 October 2026. Release information is available from The Document Foundation’s LibreOffice 26.8 release page.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • Applications: Writer for documents, Calc for spreadsheets, and Impress for presentations, plus the rest of the LibreOffice suite.
  • Operating systems: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Languages: the release notes list 120 languages.
  • License and cost: free and open source under the Mozilla Public License version 2. No feature is held back behind payment.
  • Account and connectivity: the Foundation says there is no advertising, telemetry, subscription, or account requirement, and the suite does not require network access.
  • Native format: OpenDocument Format (ODF), an open standard identified by the Foundation as ISO/IEC 26300 and maintained by OASIS.

These characteristics make LibreOffice suitable for organizations that want local desktop editing, long-term access to an open document format, or a deployment that does not depend on a cloud account. They do not guarantee that a Microsoft-format file will look or behave identically after editing.

Rank #2
EVEO® Screen Cleaner Spray Kit (Streak-Free) TV Screen Cleaner for Smart TV, Lcd, LEd, Oled | Computer Screen Cleaner Spray and Wipe Microfiber Cloth - TV, Monitor, Laptop, iPad, Car - 6.7oz 1 Pack
  • Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
  • Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
  • Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
  • Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
  • Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth

Can LibreOffice open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files?

Yes. LibreOffice 26.8 reads and writes .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. That answers the extension question, but file compatibility has several layers: whether the file opens, whether its layout is preserved, whether its advanced objects can be edited, and whether it behaves correctly when sent back to a Microsoft 365 user.

File or feature What is established What you should verify
Word documents (.docx) LibreOffice can import and export the format. Page breaks, fonts, tracked changes, headers, fields, embedded objects, and complex templates.
Excel workbooks (.xlsx) LibreOffice can import and export the format. Formulas, external links, pivot tables, conditional formatting, data connections, charts, and macros.
PowerPoint presentations (.pptx) LibreOffice can import and export the format. Slide masters, animations, transitions, fonts, video, SmartArt-like objects, and presenter notes.
Newer OOXML chart types Box-and-whisker, funnel, Pareto, sunburst, treemap, and waterfall chart definitions can be imported and re-exported. These chart types cannot currently be displayed or edited in LibreOffice, so inspect the file in Microsoft Office before delivery.
Region-map charts Not all geographic chart content is preserved. Rebuild or verify the chart in the destination Microsoft application.
ODF files ODF is LibreOffice’s native format and an open standard. Whether recipients’ applications support the specific ODF version and features you use.

The chart behavior illustrates why “supports DOCX/XLSX/PPTX” is not the same as complete feature parity. In some cases LibreOffice preserves an object’s underlying definition so it can return to Microsoft Office intact, even though LibreOffice cannot render or edit it. Keep the original file and inspect important output in the application your recipient will use.

Will VBA macros work after switching?

Do not assume that they will. Microsoft Office and LibreOffice use different object models and APIs, so the same macro code generally cannot run unchanged in both suites. LibreOffice can run some Excel VBA scripts when the relevant compatibility feature is enabled, but support depends on the specific code and workbook.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The safest approach is to classify every macro as a migration project:

Rank #3
Sale
BladeHawks RGB Gaming Mouse Pad Extra Large Extended 31.5x12 Inch-Black | LED mouse pad with 14 lighting modes, covers keyboard & mouse, anti-slip rubber base, waterproof surface, USB powered
  • 【Large size】:Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
  • 【LED backlight mouse pad】:Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
  • 【Anti-slip rubber base】:Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
  • 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
  • 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.
  • Record what the macro does, which workbook or template it touches, and who relies on it.
  • Test it in the exact LibreOffice version and operating system you intend to deploy.
  • Check references to Windows-only components, ActiveX controls, COM objects, add-ins, file paths, and Microsoft-specific worksheet functions.
  • Test both the normal success path and failure handling, including protected sheets and linked files.
  • Keep a Microsoft Office copy available until the replacement process is proven.

There is one useful preservation path. According to LibreOffice’s guidance on using Microsoft Office and LibreOffice, if you change only ordinary content and do not edit the macros, VBA code can remain in a Microsoft Office-format file and run when the file is reopened in Microsoft Office. That is not the same as making the macro work in LibreOffice; it is a way to avoid destroying automation while making limited content edits.

Does LibreOffice have AI features?

No. The Foundation’s explicit position for LibreOffice 26.8 is: “LibreOffice 26.8 contains no generative AI features.” The suite does not silently send documents to a remote model, and its documented offline operation is relevant to users who do not want built-in AI processing.

You can still copy text from Writer into a separate AI service, ask an external tool to suggest formulas, or use a locally hosted model beside Calc. Those are add-on workflows, not LibreOffice features. Their privacy depends on the external service or model: review retention, training, access controls, hosting location, and whether sensitive content leaves the device before using them.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If integrated AI is a hard requirement, investigate products that explicitly document that capability rather than assuming every open-source suite has it. Collabora Office 26.04 is one lead, but verify its current implementation and deployment terms before treating the search-result description as a guarantee.

Rank #4
Sale
Vaydeer Wrist Rest for Keyboard and Mouse, Computer Ergonomic Wrist Support Pad, Soft Memory Foam Arm Cushion for Desk, Palm Hand Office Laptop Typing
  • 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
  • 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
  • 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
  • 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
  • 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.

When does Microsoft 365 Copilot have an advantage?

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advantage is context across applications and permissions. Microsoft says commercial Copilot combines language models with Microsoft Graph content a user is authorized to access and with Microsoft 365 apps. That can support tasks that span mail, chats, documents, spreadsheets, and presentations instead of operating on one file at a time.

Microsoft’s commercial documentation states: “Prompts, responses, and data accessed through Microsoft Graph aren’t used to train foundation LLMs, including those used by Microsoft Copilot.” Read that as a statement of Microsoft’s commercial commitments, not as a universal description of every consumer Copilot experience. Details still depend on licensing, administrator settings, identity permissions, and the data your organization has connected.

Consumer subscriptions have different boundaries. Microsoft’s subscription FAQ says Copilot is available in Personal, Family, and Premium plans. In Family and Premium plans, AI features in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Designer are available only to the subscription owner, not to other people sharing the plan. The same FAQ says Copilot in Excel requires AutoSave and OneDrive. Check the current plan terms before basing a household or small-business decision on those features.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How privacy and deployment differ

Question LibreOffice 26.8 Microsoft 365 Copilot
Must the editor be online? No; the suite is designed to work without network access. Cloud-connected Microsoft 365 services and the applicable account configuration are part of the Copilot experience.
Is generative AI built in? No. Yes, in supported commercial and consumer plans, with different terms.
Where is document context used? Local editing unless you add a separate service. Copilot can use permitted Microsoft Graph content and app context under Microsoft’s documented commercial commitments.
Account requirement The Foundation says no account is required. A qualifying Microsoft account, license, permissions, and often cloud storage are required for the relevant experience.
Administrative controls Managed through your operating-system, package, and organizational deployment policies. Managed through Microsoft 365 licensing, identity, permissions, and tenant policies.

Neither model eliminates governance work. A local editor can still expose information if users paste confidential text into an outside AI service. A cloud suite can still produce inappropriate results if permissions are too broad or content is poorly classified. Define which documents may be processed, by which service, and under whose account.

Best Value
Sale
Under Desk Cable Management Tray No Drill, Metal Mesh Cable Management Under Desk with Clamp Mount, 2 Hole Cable Tray with Wire Management and Cord Organizer for Home Office Standing Desk
  • 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
  • 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
  • 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
  • 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
  • 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

A practical migration test before you switch

Run a representative pilot instead of converting an entire team based on a few simple files.

  1. Inventory real work. Select recent letters, reports, budgets, presentations, forms, shared templates, and the five or ten workbooks people use most often. Include the largest and most complicated examples.
  2. Record dependencies. Note fonts, linked images, embedded files, tracked changes, comments, charts, pivot tables, external links, add-ins, VBA macros, and cloud locations.
  3. Install the target release. Use LibreOffice 26.8 or the 26.8.1 maintenance build your organization has approved, and test on every operating system you support.
  4. Open without editing. Compare page count, pagination, fonts, formula results, chart appearance, slide alignment, notes, and print or PDF output.
  5. Edit and round-trip. Make ordinary changes, save in the original Microsoft format, reopen in Microsoft Office, and inspect the result. Then test the reverse direction with a file created in Microsoft Office.
  6. Exercise automation. Run each critical macro, add-in, data connection, and protected-sheet workflow. A file that opens correctly is not proof that its automation works.
  7. Test collaboration. Have users exchange files, resolve tracked changes, compare versions, and follow the organization’s naming and approval process.
  8. Set a fallback. Keep an approved Microsoft Office path for files that fail the pilot, and document who decides whether to repair, rebuild, or leave a file in Microsoft format.

Which users are the best fit?

Workflow Likely choice Reason
Letters, reports, basic budgets, and straightforward slide decks LibreOffice is a credible replacement candidate. The core file types are supported, and local offline editing may be sufficient.
VBA-heavy finance, operations, or reporting workbooks Conditional migration. Different macro APIs and advanced spreadsheet features can make a drop-in switch impractical.
Teams exchanging complex Microsoft templates with outside organizations Usually retain Microsoft Office for those workflows. Recipient-side rendering and editing expectations matter more than the file extension alone.
Organizations wanting Copilot to search permitted mail, chats, and documents Microsoft 365 is the stronger fit for that integrated workflow. The value comes from Microsoft Graph and cross-app context, not just text generation.
Privacy-conscious users wanting no built-in AI processing LibreOffice. Its documented design is local, offline-capable, and free of built-in generative AI.
Users seeking an open-source suite with integrated AI Investigate documented alternatives carefully. Verify models, hosting, document access, and controls for the exact product and build before adoption.

Common failure modes and fixes

“The file opened, so it is compatible.”

Opening proves only that the parser accepted the file. Compare layout, formulas, charts, fonts, print output, and tracked changes, then round-trip through the application your recipient uses.

“The chart is still there, so it is editable.”

Some newer OOXML chart definitions can be preserved without being displayable or editable in LibreOffice. Edit those charts in Microsoft Office or replace them with a chart type both applications support.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

“Our macros are in the workbook, so they will run.”

Macro storage and macro execution are different problems. Test every procedure and its dependencies; do not rely on file extension compatibility.

“Open source means every AI feature is private.”

LibreOffice itself does not include generative AI. Privacy changes the moment a user sends content to an external model, so establish a policy for what may leave the device.

“Copilot is the same in every Microsoft plan.”

Commercial Microsoft 365 Copilot and consumer Personal, Family, and Premium features have different licensing and sharing rules. Verify the plan, account owner, AutoSave, OneDrive, administrator controls, and data policy that apply to your case.

Bottom line for the switch

Open-source office software can replace Microsoft Office for many everyday tasks, and LibreOffice 26.8 is a serious candidate when local, free, offline-capable editing is the priority. It is not a replacement for Microsoft 365 Copilot’s cross-application context, and it is not a safe drop-in substitute for VBA-dependent or highly formatted workflows without testing. Choose LibreOffice for the documents it handles reliably, keep Microsoft Office where fidelity or automation is critical, and evaluate any integrated AI tool separately for model support and data handling.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.