Microsoft Office is free but on one condition

Microsoft , one of the leading companies in the technology sector, has started testing a free version of Office that includes ads. While a Microsoft 365 subscription is required to access the desktop versions of Office applications, the company has quietly started testing the free version supported by ads in certain countries. According to the news first reported by Arjun Sha, the new application has been launched in India. Windows users can download Office from the official website and access all programs, including the most popular applications such as Word, Excel, and Power Point, for free without entering a license key during the installation phase. In the free version, ads are constantly displayed while preparing documents, tables, or presentations, and some features cannot be used. HOW ADVERTISEMENTS ARE SHOWN IN THE APPLICATION The images published by Sha show that there is a continuous advertising banner on the right side of the test version. The advertisement, which is displayed as a banner, cannot be closed and changes on its own. In addition, 15-second video ads are played every few hours. These videos are silent, but the user can turn the sound on if they want. WHAT FEATURES ARE NOT IN THE FREE MICROSOFT OFFICE VERSION Limited platform: The free version offered only works on computers using the Windows operating system. It cannot be used on devices with different operating systems such as mobile devices or OS. Local file saving: Until now, users whose licenses have expired or who do not have a paid monthly subscription could only view documents in Office programs. The free test version released offers the ability to create and edit projects in all applications. However, users can only save the documents, tables or presentations they create to Microsoft's online cloud storage service OneDrive. Plug-ins: Add-ins that help users, including popular ones such as Boomerang, FindTime, OneNote Web Clipper, Power-user or Intis Telecom, cannot be used in the free version. Dictation: The feature of writing text with voice commands is not included in this version. Advanced Formatting: Advanced text and document formatting options offered in the premium version are not available in the free trial version. Visual tools: Visual tools such as SmartArt and Designer are not available. Advanced features: Advanced services powered by artificial intelligence, such as data analysis, are also not available in the free version. MICROSOFT CONFIRMS TEST A Microsoft official, whom Mark Hachman reached out to on the subject and did not mention, confirmed that the company is testing a version of Office with ads. Hachman said the official said, “Microsoft has been conducting a limited trial for a while now. There are no plans to officially launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office at this time.”