Microsoft confirms Equipt kill date

Microsoft's Office software-by-subscription package Equipt will officially end on April 30, despite only being launched in the UK in October.

The 59.99 Equipt package includes a year subscription to Microsoft's Office Suite as well as its One Care antivirus support, which was cancelled in November effectively taking out Equipt with it.

In place of OneCare, Microsoft is offering a free security package code-named Morro', which isn't expected to be released until the second half of the year.

After 30 April, Equipt will be cut to limited functionality, Microsoft said. "After Microsoft Equipt is discontinued, you will still be able to view existing Office documents, but you will not be able to create or edit Office documents, and OneCare will no longer be actively helping to protect your PC," it said in a statement.

Anyone who has signed up to Equipt will receive a pro-rated refund as well as a free copy of Office Home and Student 2007. Customers can apply for a refund via the Microsoft site.