Microsoft is testing a free version of Office for Windows that includes ads, marking a shift from its usual Microsoft 365 subscription model.
Why it matters
Microsoft has never offered a full-featured desktop version of Office for free. This test could signal a new strategy to expand Office’s reach while monetizing through ads.
Driving the news
- The ad-supported version was first spotted in India by Beebom, allowing users to access Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without a subscription.
- The test version includes ads on the sidebar and 15-second video ads that play every few hours.
- Users are required to store documents in OneDrive, with local file storage disabled.
What they’re saying
- “Microsoft has been conducting some limited testing. Currently, there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps,” a Microsoft spokesperson told PCWorld.
- Despite this, Microsoft has specifically engineered Office to support ads, making a wider rollout possible.
The catch
- The free version lacks key features like Word’s design tools, Excel’s pivot tables, and PowerPoint’s custom slide shows.
- Microsoft already offers free Office versions on the web, but they have even fewer features than this test version.
The big picture
Microsoft is increasingly bundling AI-powered features into its paid Microsoft 365 plans.
This test could be a way to upsell users to the full subscription or explore ad-driven monetization for Office.
Source: The Verge
