Microsoft Tests Free Office Version
Microsoft is reportedly testing a new version of its Office suite that allows users to create and edit documents without a Microsoft 365 subscription or a license key. This free offering, however, comes with some restrictions.
According to a recent report, this free version displays advertisements when opening documents in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While users can create and edit documents, the ability to save files locally is unavailable; instead, they must save to OneDrive.
Further limitations include the absence of certain features, such as the ability to install add-ins, add watermarks, and analyze data. The report also mentions that the app automatically plays a 15-second muted advertisement every few hours.
How to Access the Free Version
To use the free version, download the setup from the official website. Upon opening an Office app, and when prompted to sign in, tap the “Skip for now” button. Then, click on the “Continue for free” button, and on the next screen, choose the “Save to OneDrive” option.
It’s important to note that this ad-supported version is currently available to only a limited number of users. A Microsoft representative stated, in a communication to PCWorld, that the company is “conducting some limited testing” and that there are “no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps.”
