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Since when did Microsoft Word require a subscription?

Anonymous
2023-01-20T12:12:24+00:00

I have used Windows computers all my life and Microsoft Word has always come with the system free of charge. Now I get a new laptop and all of a sudden I have to pay for Word, Powerpoint etc. There is an online version with limited features but if I want the full thing I have to subscribe to Office. Why is this? I don't remember this happening before and its a ridiculous cash grab by the Microsoft executives. Why pay for a feature that should come as a default? Imagine if Google required a subscription just to use Chrome??!! This is ridiculous and I would like some answers.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | Windows

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  1. Rory Archibald 18,885 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-01-20T12:24:24+00:00

    Word would only be there by default if the manufacturer had supplied it with an OEM licence. Word is not part of Windows, it's part of Office so there is no reason it should come with it (it never has on any computer I've ever bought, other than trial versions of Office).

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