Microsoft will no longer offer Microsoft Money Plus, its personal finance software, after June 30. Microsoft cites the range of other personal finance management options available from banks, brokerage firms and Websites as the reason behind the shutdown. Microsoft has closed down other product lines, including its Encarta encyclopedia software, as it reconfigures in the face of a changing IT world.Microsoft
plans to stop offering Microsoft Money Plus, its personal finance software, to
consumers. First launched 17 years ago, the program joins Microsoft Encarta in
the dustbin with other products the company has discontinued in 2009.
"With banks, brokerage firms and Websites now providing a range of
options for managing personal finances, the consumer need for Microsoft Money
Plus has changed," Microsoft said in a statement. "We will no longer
offer Microsoft Money Plus for purchase after June 30, 2009."
"Demand for a comprehensive personal finance tool set has
declined," Microsoft added elsewhere on its Money Plus site.
The products affected are Microsoft Money Essentials, Microsoft Money Plus
Deluxe, Microsoft Money Plus Premium and Microsoft Money Plus Home &
Business. In their place, Microsoft is choosing to concentrate resources on its
MSN Money Website, which offers personal
finance information along with market news.
Microsoft plans to support online services for active customers through
"at least" January 2011, meaning that those who need them can
continue to receive yearly tax updates even after sales of Money Plus have
ended. After that point, however, users will need to manually update tax rates
via the rate schedules on the IRS Website.
Once the online services expire, Money Plus will no longer support online
quotes or direct online banking, but the program can theoretically exist
indefinitely on one's PC. Newly purchased editions of Money will need to be
installed before the January 2011 cutoff date.
Money Plus is not the first program that Microsoft has terminated in 2009.
In March, Microsoft
announced that Encarta, the company's encyclopedia software, is shutting down
after 16 years. The software was widely seen as having trouble competing as
a model against online encyclopedias such as Wikipedia, which were free, versus
Encarta Premium 2009's retail price of $29.95. Encarta Websites based in the United
States will close down by October, while the
Japanese version will continue until the end of 2009.
| | Reader Comments: Microsoft Will End Money Plus | | >>> Post your comment now!
| | Misinformed?Next thing you'll be saying is Ubuntu will take over MAC OS and Windows. By the way--Quicken has been flawless either--try doing some research. This... Posted At: 08-15-09 By: Glenn | | | | | | Vintage MicrosoftI've been running Quicken and Money together for about 4 years now. Guess I'm glad I did. I don't see how Quicken will be able to pull off the file... Posted At: 08-15-09 By: Glenn | | | | | | A user comment on this articleI agree, such BS for ending money. There is no bank or service that does all money does. Another reason to be pissed off at Microsoft. Posted At: 06-27-09 By: mike | | | | | | IrritatedIt's such a lie for them to state there's no need for the program. Banks and brokerages don't provide the all-in-one place tracking of multiple... Posted At: 06-24-09 By: Anonymous | | | | | | Money RulesI was part of development to create MS money. I still love it, but I haven't bought a new copy in four years. I guess I'll be moving to quicken Posted At: 06-16-09 By: Ion Soul | | | | | | IgnoranceIgnorance is bliss :-) Soon you will be saying, "waiting for somebody to eat google alive". Posted At: 06-15-09 By: Anonymous | | | | | | Customer LoyaltyI've been an IT executive for over 35 years and a Money user for the last 10. It is classic microsoft who started this business by making fun of IBM... Posted At: 06-15-09 By: Dave | | | | | | >>> Post your comment now! | | | | | |
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