Microsoft Tests Ad-Supported, Feature-Limited Free Office for Windows

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of its Office suite for Windows. This limited version includes stripped-down versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, omitting many advanced features. For example, Word lacks tables and mail merge, Excel lacks PivotTables and Power Query, and PowerPoint lacks custom slideshows. Documents must be saved to OneDrive for editing; local files are read-only. The "free" version displays 15-second video ads every few hours and a persistent ad sidebar. While Microsoft officially denies plans for a free, ad-supported desktop Office, this test suggests exploration of this monetization model, potentially leading to pre-installation on new PCs or other distribution methods.