Microsoft tests ad-supported Office apps for Windows users – BleepingComputer

North Korean hackers linked to $1.5 billion ByBit crypto heistAustralia bans all Kaspersky products on government systemsBeware: PayPal “New Address” feature abused to send phishing emailsMicrosoft tests ad-supported Office apps for Windows usersHave I Been Pwned adds 284M accounts stolen by infostealer malwareFirefox continues Manifest V2 support as Chrome disables MV2 ad-blockersMicrosoft fixes Entra ID authentication issue caused by DNS changeGitVenom attacks abuse hundreds of GitHub repos to steal cryptoHow to access the Dark Web using the Tor BrowserHow to enable Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection in Windows 11How to use the Windows Registry EditorHow to backup and restore the Windows RegistryHow to start Windows in Safe ModeHow to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other MalwareHow to show hidden files in Windows 7How to see hidden files in WindowsRemove the Theonlinesearch.com Search RedirectRemove the Smartwebfinder.com Search RedirectHow to remove the PBlock+ adware browser extensionRemove the Toksearches.xyz Search RedirectRemove Security Tool and SecurityTool (Uninstall Guide)How to Remove WinFixer / Virtumonde / Msevents / Trojan.vundoHow to remove Antivirus 2009 (Uninstall Instructions)How to remove Google Redirects or the TDSS, TDL3, or Alureon rootkit using TDSSKillerLocky Ransomware Information, Help Guide, and FAQCryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQCryptorBit and HowDecrypt Information Guide and FAQCryptoDefense and How_Decrypt Ransomware Information Guide and FAQQualys BrowserCheckSTOPDecrypterAuroraDecrypterFilesLockerDecrypterAdwCleanerComboFixRKillJunkware Removal TooleLearningIT Certification CoursesGear + GadgetsSecurityBest VPNsHow to change IP addressAccess the dark web safelyBest VPN for YouTubeMicrosoft has released ad-supported versions of its Office desktop apps, which have limited features but allow Windows users to edit their documents.While Microsoft allows customers to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps for free with Office on the web, the company has not shared any information regarding these new ad-supported Office apps for desktop.Once launched, the apps will show a vertical panel on the right side of the window, displaying advertisements while you view and edit your Office documents.The ad-supported Office apps will also display “To remove ads, subscribe to Microsoft 365” messages under the ads, prompting users to click a “See benefits” link.To test the new ad-supported Microsoft Office apps for Windows users, you must download and install Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) and hit “Skip for now” on the “Sign in to get started” screen.This will open a “Welcome to free Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,” where you must click the “Continue for free” button and the “Save to OneDrive” on the next screen.As tech news site Beebom first spotted, you must pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription to save documents edited using these ad-supported Office apps to local drives.Besides only allowing you to save to OneDrive, the ad-supported Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps have basic functionality and additional restrictions, as detailed in the table below.BleepingComputer could not replicate the findings, indicating this may be a regional test.”Microsoft has been conducting some limited testing. Currently, there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps,” a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed in a statement sent after the story was published.This isn’t the first time Microsoft has experimented with displaying ads in its products and services. For instance, it showed ads in the “Recommended” section of the Windows 11 Start menu last year, and it also promoted some of its own products in the sign-out flyout menu in November 2022, expanding the feature with new “treatments” in March 2023.In March 2021, it also displayed ads for its products to Insiders in the Windows File Explorer and promoted Microsoft Edge in the Start Menu of Windows 10 one year before. In September 2021, it also broke the Start Menu and Taskbar while testing Microsoft Teams ads.Five years ago, the Windows 10 Wordpad application also showed ads pushing Microsoft’s free Office web apps in its menu bar.Update February 25, 10:14 EST: Added statement from Microsoft.Windows 10 KB5052077 update fixes broken SSH connectionsMicrosoft reminds admins to prepare for WSUS driver sync deprecationMicrosoft to remove the Location History feature in WindowsMicrosoft fixes bug causing Windows Server 2025 boot errorsMicrosoft February 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 4 zero-days, 55 flawsUnsure what the article is stating. We need to buy a subscription but it is free?
No direct link to download the stub?
I am guess this applies to newer images as well. I have a 2021 image [that I bought] but wouldn’t mind the ad-based Office on my lesser used computer.The article says you can use the apps for Free, but can’t save files locally + there`re some restrictions on functionality. You may save them on OneDrive.
No direct link, yes, read the title: Microsoft TESTS ad-supported Office apps for Windows users
“BleepingComputer could not replicate the findings, indicating this may be a regional test.”Your best bet imo is to look for a copy of Office 2021 or 2024 in https://deals.bleepingcomputer.com/
I bought Office Professional 2021 for $40 or $50. It’s the old fashioned lifetime license, and does not require a subscription.Wow, it’s not enough they try and force ads on their Windows OS users now they are doing it to their Office users ….what POS!It’s basically Microsoft Office Starter circa 2010 re-imagined in a worse way.I came up with a new slogan for Microsoft.
“Just be evil”Not a member yet? Register NowRussia warns financial sector of major IT service provider hackOrange Group confirms breach after hacker leaks company documentsBotnet targets Basic Auth in Microsoft 365 password spray attacks5 Browser Security Threats Overlooked by Security Tools. Get the Free ReportIntegrating LLMs into security operations using Wazuh. Learn how to get started.RDP Security Simplified – No VPN, No Firewall Exposure. Get a free TruGrid business trial.Get the GOAT Guide to learn how to start validating, start defending, and start winning.Discover full attack chains and identify their root cause. Learn more about Automated Security Validation.Terms of Use – Privacy Policy – Ethics Statement – Affiliate DisclosureCopyright @ 2003 – 2025 Bleeping Computer® LLC – All Rights ReservedNot a member yet? Register NowRead our posting guidelinese to learn what content is prohibited.