Microsoft trials ad-supported free desktop version of Office

Microsoft Office is one of the most widely used productivity suites in the world. However, not everyone can afford the necessary license to use it. While there are alternatives available, Microsoft is now testing a new change that could be interesting for those who want to continue using Office, albeit with some modifications.

The company is currently testing a new version of Office for desktop that would be supported by advertisements, but still allow users to edit documents and access certain limited features. Microsoft already provides Office on the web, where users can access all the features without any ads, but this is only accessible to those with an internet connection. The desktop versions would allow access even in offline scenarios.

In the test version, users would see a side panel displaying advertisements for Microsoft products or other advertising campaigns, while the document they are editing appears in the main area. There would also be a message suggesting that users can subscribe to Microsoft 365 to remove the ads if they wish.

According to sources who have had access to this version, users still need to pay to save edited documents locally, but they can save directly to OneDrive without any issues. There are also some restrictions on accessing certain features of the productivity suite. The allowed editing capabilities would be basic, meaning that some advanced editing features for images, tables, and other functions would not be available in Word, for example.

It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Microsoft has tested integrating advertisements into its products. Recently, there were tests to include ads directly in Windows 11, particularly in the start menu, for certain Microsoft platforms. Therefore, this new desktop version of Office with ads could be a way for the company to still allow the use of the productivity suite, albeit with some limitations, while also encouraging users to subscribe to advanced Microsoft 365 plans.

Overall, this new approach by Microsoft could provide an interesting option for users who want to continue using Office but may not have the means to purchase a license. It remains to be seen how the final version will be received and whether users will find the ads intrusive or acceptable in exchange for the limited functionality.

Background Information

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About Microsoft:

Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 in Redmond, Washington, USA, is a technology giant known for its wide range of software products, including the Windows operating system, Office productivity suite, and cloud services like Azure. Microsoft also manufactures hardware, such as the Surface line of laptops and tablets, Xbox gaming consoles, and accessories.

  

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