Microsoft has tested ad - support access to its key productiveness apps , giving some users free memory access to Word , PowerPoint , Excel as part of the deal .
The company confirmed it has carried out limited tests on the plan that would enable users to avoid the current monthly or annual subscription fee forMicrosoft 365 .
This is n’t the web variation of the Office apps , it ’s the desktop versions that are downloaded to a PC and synchronize to the cloud for updates . So this vocalize like it could be a upright fashion to hold open £ 100 a class , right ? However , there are quite a few trade - offs to endure for those who ’ve been part of the trials .
For starters , many of the forward-looking Office features stay locked , according toBeebomwhich first reported the trial . All documents must be save via Microsoft ’s swarm - establish OneDrive storage cabinet , rather than locally to the gadget . The report also say features like add - ins and watermarks are unavailable , while users wo n’t be able to leverage the data point analytics tool either .
The advert might also be a little too intrusive for users looking to focus on work . The internet site report a persistent banner ad at the top of the document or presentation in dubiousness . Test users will also need to watch a picture every couple of time of day , according to the report .
Microsoft did provide a statement toPCWorldsaying a bun out of the ad - back Microsoft 365 app was n’t design at present . However , that does n’t mean it ’s not an idea the caller wo n’t revisit in future .
“ Microsoft has been conducting some limited testing . Currently , there are no design to launch a innocent , ad - supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps , ” a Microsoft congresswoman said .
Opinion
There are tidy sum of thing people will be willing to permit the misdirection of ads for . Streaming services are a quality exercise . However , the idea of having to watch a TV when you ’re desperately examine to get a PowerPoint demonstration done with a get together in half an 60 minutes ? It ’s just not feasible . We ’re glad this is just a test .
