Microsoft is currently exploring a new avenue in its product offerings by testing a free, ad-supported desktop edition of Office. This initiative, while intriguing, comes with a set of limitations that may leave potential users pondering its value. According to a recent report by tech news site Beebom, the launch was so subtle that it went largely unnoticed, indicating that Microsoft is limiting access to a select group of users.
Persistent ad banner and video
The free desktop suite encompasses familiar applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but it is exclusively available on Windows. To offset the costs associated with providing this service, users will encounter a persistent banner ad on the right side of each application. This ad remains visible unless one opts for a Microsoft 365 subscription. Additionally, every few hours, a muted 15-second video ad appears within the applications, further emphasizing the ad-supported nature of this offering.
While the suite provides basic writing and editing capabilities, many advanced features and add-ins are rendered inaccessible. Users will find themselves unable to adjust line spacing, utilize drawing tools, or access mailing options in Word. Excel users are similarly constrained, lacking the ability to insert objects, manipulate pivot tables, or create macros. PowerPoint users will be disappointed to discover that customization options for slideshows, background formatting, animations, and screen recording are all unavailable.
Another notable limitation is the inability to save documents locally; users are required to store their files on OneDrive. This could present a challenge, as free users receive only 5GB of storage on OneDrive, while paid Microsoft 365 plans offer significantly more space, ranging from 100GB to 1TB per individual. For those already subscribed to Microsoft 365, the necessity for this free version becomes questionable.
Limited testing
Access to this new version appears to be quite restricted at present, as it remains in a testing phase. While the author of the Beebom article successfully accessed the suite, others have reported difficulties. In my own attempts to install the software on two virtual machines using test accounts, I followed the provided instructions but was not offered the option to utilize the software for free.
The future of this free version remains uncertain. A Microsoft spokesperson shared with ZDNET that the company is conducting limited testing, but currently, there are no plans to officially launch a free, ad-supported version of the desktop apps.
How to try it
Microsoft does offer a free edition of Office through Microsoft 365 on the web, which requires an internet connection. In contrast, the version being tested operates entirely on the desktop. While the practicality of this free version may be debatable, those interested in exploring it can follow these steps:
- Download and install from the official Office website.
- After installation, open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
- In the pop-up dialog, click “Skip for now.”
- At the welcome screen, select “Continue for free.”
- On the subsequent page, click “Save to OneDrive.”
