I experimented with the free version of Microsoft Office, but all I encountered was advertisements and stress.

      Microsoft is currently trialing a new version of its Office app suite that is free to access, although users will need to watch ads. The usability aspect is quite subjective, as many essential features are restricted and grayed out.

      This limited set of free office applications, which includes only three apps, will only be available in a few specific markets and for a short time. Additionally, Microsoft has cautioned that it may discontinue the free versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at any time.

      The testing group is also quite restricted; only accounts that are not associated with a recurring Microsoft 365 subscription or paid tiers, such as Home and Student packages, can participate in the testing of the ad-supported version.

      The ads in the side panel are persistent, yet relatively easy to overlook. Microsoft has previously incorporated ads in its products, and it is not the only major company to do so. Samsung is particularly well-known for this, and its partnership with Microsoft means that a $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a suite of Microsoft apps pre-installed.

      While I won't label it as bloatware outright, that's essentially what it feels like. With the free desktop editions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Microsoft is taking a different approach. Instead of overwhelming users with ads, the significant limitation of features may leave you regretting the installation of these apps at all.

      What exactly is this offering? Microsoft is clearly trying to communicate that the software generally requires payment, as indicated by a consistent ad displayed in a side panel on the right side of the screen. Additionally, users will experience interruptions for ads lasting approximately 15 seconds.

      Details regarding this new version of the Office apps were initially reported by Beebom. Digital Trends had the opportunity to test this version and identified a previously unreleased Microsoft support document that provides important insights into this ad-supported edition.

      “The free desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are only available in select countries and are limited to a small audience selected at Microsoft’s choice,” the company states. Regarding privacy, Microsoft claims that it does not share user data, document contents, or file metadata for targeted advertising. Ads are selected from a localized pool based on language preferences.

      What can you do with it? The free desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are integrated with the OneDrive cloud system. This reliance on the cloud is so significant that there is no option to save files locally on your computer; all documents are stored in OneDrive.

      You can work offline in these applications, but any changes made will only be saved to the cloud. Your progress while offline is saved once you reconnect to the internet and OneDrive syncs your files. Notably, ads will appear whether you are online or offline.

      Microsoft's strategy of providing a limited experience with an ad-supported product is quite aggressive. In my view, it's one of the most blatant tactics I've seen in a long time.

      It feels more like an interactive ad. The expectations weren’t particularly high, yet the limitations are extensive. Microsoft describes the free versions as suitable for "basic features that enable light editing and access to existing documents." The company also warns that any of the available features can be removed without prior notice.

      When it comes to basic text editing and formatting in Word, options like line and paragraph spacing, shading, translation, and border controls are unavailable. Similarly, voice dictation and add-ins for custom commands are also turned off.

      One of the most puzzling exclusions is the inactive screenshot tool, and the built-in thesaurus feature has been disabled across all three applications, disappointing language enthusiasts. A surprise ad break in one document will equally interrupt your work in other open documents.

      While attempting to focus on your work with the few available tools, you'll need to keep an eye out for a message indicating, “In the next minute, a video message will play,” which can lead to an unexpected and unavoidable ad interruption.

      The situation in Excel is not much better. Tools for data analysis, pivot tables, smart art, filters, and basic functions such as Header & Footer are all disabled. Furthermore, features such as page breaks, background settings, duplicate removal, and data transformation capabilities are missing, with even basic zoom controls not available. While some omissions in Word may be understandable, those in Excel are particularly surprising and disappointing.

      PowerPoint is no different, lacking fundamental features such as photo albums, illustration tools, slide numbers, background formatting, animations, custom slide shows, reading view, and macros.

      The only positive aspect is that Microsoft has not rolled out this ad-supported free bundle of Office apps widely; one can only hope it remains limited. For businesses, using Microsoft’s secure products may justify the high cost, but for average users, removing basic features like column controls and thesaurus access is quite disappointing. Alternatives such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are solid choices, and open