Microsoft Corp. will test a free, advertising-supported version of Works, an already inexpensive package of word processing, spreadsheet and other programs, but would not say whether it is exploring a similar Web-based suite.

The company said Wednesday that a limited number of computer makers will pre-install Microsoft Works 9 SE on new PCs in certain markets, and that the test of the business model will last about a year.

Microsoft’s announcement comes a week after its top executives sketched out a strategy for supplementing traditional packaged software revenue with subscriptions and Web-based services, during a day of meetings with financial analysts at its Redmond, Wash., headquarters.

continued @ chron.com