Microsoft has begun testing a free version of its Office productivity suite for Windows, with a twist: it comes with ads. The move, first spotted in India, has raised eyebrows about the potential implications for users and the future of the software giant's flagship product.

Currently, users must pay for a monthly Microsoft 365 subscription to access the full desktop version of Office. However, the company has been quietly testing an ad-supported version in certain countries, which could potentially change the game for users who rely on the popular productivity suite.

According to reports, the ad-supported version of Office includes banners that are permanently visible on the sidebar, as well as 15-second video ads that play every few hours. Additionally, users of this free version are forced to store documents in OneDrive, with support for local file storage disabled. This raises concerns about data privacy and user control.

The free version of Office also lacks certain features compared to the full desktop version. For example, Word is missing drawing and design tools, line spacing, and more. Excel doesn't support add-ins, pivot tables, or macros, while PowerPoint is missing support for dictation, custom slide shows, and other features. This could be a significant drawback for users who rely on these features for their work or personal projects.

Microsoft has downplayed the significance of the test, stating that "there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop apps." However, the fact that the company has engineered its Office apps to work on Windows with ads suggests that this may not be a one-off experiment. It's possible that Microsoft is exploring alternative revenue streams or trying to attract more users to its ecosystem.

The move also raises questions about the future of Microsoft's business model. Will the company continue to offer a premium, ad-free experience for paying customers, or will it shift towards a more freemium model? How will this impact the user experience, and will users be willing to tolerate ads in exchange for free access to Office?

Microsoft has a history of testing new features and pricing models in limited markets before rolling them out more widely. If the ad-supported version of Office proves successful, it could signal a significant shift in the company's strategy and have far-reaching implications for the productivity software market.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft's experiment with ad-supported Office plays out. Will users embrace the free version, or will they opt for alternative productivity suites? Only time will tell.