Microsoft has announced this week that it has started phasing out its Office Starter Edition, which provides users with a stripped-down, ad-laced version of Word and Excel. This edition was previously made available to OEM PC Partners and system builders as part of an OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK).
The Transition to Office 2010 OPK
Microsoft explained that effective immediately, the Office 2010 Transition OPK will replace prior versions of the Office 2010 OPK, which comes without the Office Starter Edition included. This change marks a significant shift in Microsoft’s strategy to streamline its product offerings and focus on more comprehensive solutions. Microsoft made the announcement to its OEM PC Partners saying:
“We will begin to phase out the shipment of PCs with Office Starter 2010,” – “After Windows 8 becomes available, most new PCs shipped will not have Office Starter. People who use Office Starter 2010 today will continue to be able to use the product for the life of their PC. For Windows 7/Office Starter 2010 users who want to upgrade their PC to Windows 8 and continue using Office Starter 2010, they will have to install an update to Microsoft Office 2010 which is available today.”
This move is part of a broader strategy to encourage users to transition to more modern and feature-rich versions of Office. The Office Starter Edition, while useful for basic tasks, lacks many of the advanced features that users have come to expect from Microsoft’s productivity suite.
Future Directions: Office Web Apps and Office 2013
The move by Microsoft is to offer a replacement via its Office Web Apps going forward, together with the release of Office 2013 which is still currently under development. Office Web Apps provide a cloud-based solution that allows users to access and edit their documents from any device with an internet connection. This aligns with the growing trend towards cloud computing and the increasing demand for mobile and remote work solutions.
Office 2013, on the other hand, promises to bring a host of new features and improvements. While details are still emerging, early reports suggest that Office 2013 will include enhanced collaboration tools, improved user interfaces, and better integration with other Microsoft services such as OneDrive and SharePoint. This new version is expected to cater to both individual users and businesses, providing a versatile and powerful toolset for a wide range of tasks.
The phasing out of Office Starter Edition also reflects Microsoft’s commitment to providing a more cohesive and integrated user experience. By focusing on Office Web Apps and the upcoming Office 2013, Microsoft aims to offer solutions that are not only more powerful but also more aligned with the needs of modern users.
The discontinuation of Office Starter Edition marks the end of an era for a product that served as an entry point for many users into the world of Microsoft Office. However, it also signals the beginning of a new chapter, with Microsoft focusing on more advanced and integrated solutions that leverage the power of the cloud and the latest technological advancements. Users can look forward to a more seamless and feature-rich experience with the upcoming releases.
Source: Toms Hardware
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