14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Money has gone bust. The “bankruptcy” of the Redmond company's personal financial-management software was blamed on the way that solutions designed to permit users to manage their own finances have evolved in the past 17 years. Microsoft explained that it had seen demand for its Money lineup of offerings decline. According to the software giant, end users now prefer full-service products from banks and brokerages and, as a direct result, have shifted their attention away from comprehensive personal finance toolsets. Essentially, the availability of Microsoft Money will be discontinued at the end of this month.
“After suspending annual updates of Money Plus in 2008, Microsoft is announcing today that we will no longer offer Microsoft Money Plus for purchase after June 30, 2009. (...) After the end of sales date (June 30, 2009), you will not be able to purchase a new or extended version of the online services,” the software giant revealed. Customers using Microsoft Money Essentials, Microsoft Money Plus Deluxe, Microsoft Money Plus Premium, and Microsoft Money Plus Home & Business are all affected. Users running older versions of Microsoft Money, including the 2007 and 2006 editions, are advised not to update to the latest releases available.
Theoretically, users will be able to continue using Microsoft Money indefinitely, minus the online services and features that the company plans to kill off. However, the software giant does in no way guarantee that MS Money will work with future versions of the Windows operating system. However, in order to be able to do so, customers will need to activate their products before support is retired completely on January 31, 2011.
“Online services will no longer be available, but Money has many features that continue to work after the online services have expired. (For Money Plus Deluxe, Premium and Home & Business customers, online services expire two years after initial activation or Jan. 31, 2011, whichever is earlier; for Money Plus Essentials it is one year after activation or Jan. 31, 2011, whichever is earlier. You can verify your expiration date in Money Plus by selecting Help / About Microsoft Money; it appears to the right of the serial number),” the company stated.