Microsoft has been quietly testing an ad-supported version of its Office software suite. First discovered by Beebom, this version provides free access to apps including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without requiring a subscription.
The free version displays advertisements on the sidebar at all times, in the form of static graphics and 15-second videos. Additionally, access to advanced features is restricted. Some of the unavailable functions include installing add-ons, adding watermarks, and analysing data. Users are also limited to saving files only on OneDrive, with no option for local storage.
According to Beebom, users can access this free version by downloading the Microsoft Office suite from the official website. During installation, choosing not to sign in to a Microsoft account enables the option to use Office for free. However, this feature is currently limited to Windows devices.
While initially thought to be a new product offering, a company representative later clarified to PCWorld that the ad-supported version is only a test. “Microsoft has been conducting some limited testing,” the spokesperson said. “Currently, there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Office desktop apps.”
Manisha Dharmendra contributed to this article.
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