🆓 Free, but at a Cost
Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of Office for Windows. Users can access Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without a Microsoft 365 subscription. The catch? Ads appear in the sidebar, and every few hours, a 15-second video ad plays. This test version is currently limited to certain countries, including India, as first spotted by Beebom.
📉 Missing Key Features
This free version isn’t the full Office experience. Word lacks drawing tools and line spacing features. Excel misses add-ins, pivot tables, and macros. PowerPoint drops dictation and custom slide shows. Microsoft also disables local file storage, forcing users to save everything on OneDrive.
🚀 A Quiet but Big Move
Microsoft says there are "no plans" for a full rollout yet. However, the company has built Office to support ads, meaning wider availability is possible. This follows Microsoft's pattern—first testing AI-powered Office features in select countries before a global release with price hikes.
💰 The Subscription Play
Microsoft offers free Office on the web, but it has fewer features. This new test might be a way to get more users hooked before pushing them toward paid plans. With Microsoft 365's price increases, an ad-supported free tier could be a new strategy to balance revenue and user growth.
Would you use Office with ads if it were free?
