Microsoft has never fallen short of testing a plethora of controversial decisions with its latest operating system— Windows 10. From installing bloatware such as sponsored apps to using the startup menu for giving app suggestions users might want to try, Microsoft has does it all. In the recent turn of events, word has it that Microsoft is now using WordPad for pushing out ads.
With recent findings implying that there may be more advertising in WordPad, latest reports state that the current ads are geared towards persuading users to utilize the services of other Microsoft applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel online.
The news about the advertising on WordPad first surfaced online after a Windows researcher Rafael Rivera tweeted about the latest feature on his Twitter account:
https://twitter.com/WithinRafael/status/1219407568583319553
“BREAKSCLUSIVE: Microsoft WordPad is getting a new feature! An ad for Office web apps! Screenshot shows 6 experimental variants…” wrote Rivera.
The Windows researcher attached six banner ads that said: “Try Word online for free”, “Try Word for free online”, “Try Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for free online”, “Use Word for free online”, “Use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for free online”, and “Try Office for free online.”
The advertisements run by Microsoft are essentially promoting the lighter and stripped-down versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and so on. These versions can be simply used from a browser without having to install them on a computer. Once known as “Office Online”, the online versions are now simply called “Office”.
The word about the latest advertising by Microsoft spread quickly and opened up to a mixed reaction. While some users saw no harm in advertising free products, others viewed it as an invasive move.
“They are suggesting you use a free and better product, there is no harm in that in my opinion,” replied a user.
On the other hand, another user wrote, “Quite sad. This is why people rather stick with Windows 7 and 8.”
As of now, it is unclear whether the ads will appear to all Windows 10 users or not.
