Tech Desk 
Feb 25, 2025
Microsoft began testing a free version of Office for Windows that includes ads. Currently, you have to pay for a monthly Microsoft 365 subscription to get access to the full desktop version of Office, but Microsoft has been quietly testing an ad-supported version in certain countries.
Initially, Beebom noticed that the ad-supported version of Office for Windows appeared in India recently, letting Windows users access Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office apps without the Microsoft 365 subscription fee.
Mircosoft spokesperson stated: “Microsoft has been conducting some limited testing. Currently, there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps.”
While Microsoft claims this is limited testing, the company has specifically engineered its Office apps to now work on Windows with ads, so we may well see this version appear in more markets eventually.
According to Beebom, the ad-supported version of Office includes banners that are permanently visible at the side, along with 15-second video ads that play every few hours.
Microsoft also forces users of this free version of Office to store documents in OneDrive, with support for local file storage disabled.
Currently, Microsoft only provides free versions of Office on the web, so you have to use a browser to access far more limited versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This test version of Office for Windows doesn’t include the full features of the apps, either.
Word is missing drawing and design tools, line spacing, and more. The free version of Excel doesn’t support add-ins, pivot tables, or macros. PowerPoint is also missing support for dictation, custom slide shows, and other features.
