Microsoft Trials Free Ad-Supported Edition of Office for Windows

Microsoft has recently introduced a new version of Microsoft Office for Windows that allows users to edit documents without the need for a Microsoft 365 subscription or an Office license key. This free version is based on the complete desktop applications, but most features are restricted unless you have a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

According to reports from Beebom, this free version of Office comes with advertisements that are permanently visible when you are working on documents in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Additionally, users can only save their files on OneDrive, which means you cannot edit or save files directly on your computer.

To start using this free version of Office, you simply need to bypass the login prompt when you first open any Office application. After bypassing the sign-in, you will have the option to continue using the software for free, accepting that it will display ads and have limited features. In this mode, you can open, view, and edit documents, similar to what you can do with the web-based version of Office.

However, this free Office version has some significant limitations. You won’t have access to many features like add-ins, dictation, advanced formatting, and more. Essentially, this version is designed primarily for basic writing and simple editing of Office documents. If you’re looking to unlock advanced functions and tools, you will still need to pay for a subscription to Microsoft 365.

Despite this announcement, it seems the free version of Office is not widely available yet. Some users have reported issues when trying to skip the sign-in prompt, indicating that Microsoft may be testing this version in specific areas or just with a small group of users. The company has not officially announced the release of this new Office version, and it is not mentioned in their support documents, which leaves many wondering when more information will become available.

As a result, while this free version provides a useful option for light users who need basic document editing capabilities, it may not suffice for those who rely on the advanced tools offered by Microsoft Office. It’s likely that Microsoft will share more details about this offering in the upcoming days or weeks.