It doesn't have a DVD inside, making it more environmentally-friendly, since it is smaller than the full package DVD product. The Product Key Card is a single-license card that unlocks the functionality of Office 2010, allowing users to upgrade to one of the three full versions of Office 2010: Office Home & Student 2010, Office Home & Business 2010, or Office Professional 2010.

AdvertisementĪs part of the company's new strategy, Microsoft is planning to introduce a Product Key Card for purchase via major OEMs and electronic retail outlets. This way, Microsoft hopes they will keep using Office for longer than 60 days: they will use their free included version, and if annoyed with the limitations and ads, they will be more likely to pay for a better version of the suite. A few may switch to Open Office or Google Docs, a trend Microsoft is obviously eager to stop. Microsoft is clearly trying to further cement its hold in the productivity tools market: apparently a significant number of users (enough to catch Microsoft's attention and make changes) with new PCs aren't happy with Microsoft Works or Office trial versions and are not purchasing Office. Office Starter 2010 will only be replacing Microsoft Works. The change Microsoft is planning here will result in a version of Office that will never expire, but at the same time, it will mean consumers will have to deal with ads, or pay up to upgrade to one of the full versions. Not only are these programs ad-supported, but Microsoft claims they are 'designed for casual Office users,' who apparently will be perfectly fine with reduced-functionality and ad-supported software.Ĭurrently, many PCs come with Microsoft Works, a suite that many users hate with a passion, and trial versions of Office 2007 that expire in 60 days. It includes basic functionality so users can view, edit, and create documents via Office Word Starter 2010 and Office Excel Starter 2010.

Microsoft Office Starter 2010 will be not available for purchase it will only come pre-loaded on new PCs. The company unveiled an ad-supported version dubbed Office Starter 2010, a new Product Key Card that lets customers upgrade to one of three full versions of Microsoft Office, and the Click-To-Run technology that lets users download and buy Office 2010 directly from. Microsoft today announced new ways for consumers to try and buy Office 2010, the next version of the company's productivity suite slated for release in the first half of next year.

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