Works Suite

In 1997, Microsoft introduced Microsoft Home Essentials, which packaged several of its home productivity titles into a single suite that was sold for a then low price described in a review by the Chicago Tribune as “one of the best bargains ever offered.” Home Essentials continued to evolve and beginning with the 1999 edition took the namesake of Works becoming Works Suite. A slimmer version of the suite dubbed Works Deluxe was also offered for that year, but discontinued thereafter.

As the programs within Works Suite were developed separately and sold individually, each had a unique look and feel. They were integrated by a task plane, which picked the appropriate program for the user to accomplish each task. In addition to the core programs, each version of Works Suite also included programs such as FoneSync in 2001, and PowerPoint Viewer beginning in 2005. Later editions of Works Suite prompted users to upgrade to more featured versions of its inclusions at a discounted rate.

In addition to retail sales, Works Suite was included with the purchase of a new PC by several PC manufactures, notably Dell and Gateway. Works Suite was discontinued after the 2006 edition. Works was later bundled with Word as Works Plus 2008, but made available only to OEMs.

Comparison of bundled Works home productivity suites:

Product Suggested Retail Price Home Essentials 97 $109 Works 4.0 Word 97 Encarta 97 Greetings Workshop 1.0 Microsoft Arcade Home Essentials 98 $109 Works 4.5 Word 97 Encarta 98 Money 98 Greetings Workshop 2.0 Entertainment Pack: Puzzle Collection Works Suite 99 $109 Works 4.5 Word 97 Encarta 99 Money 99 Basic Graphics Studio Greetings 99 Expedia Streets 98 Works Deluxe 99 $84.95 Works 4.5 Money 99 Basic Graphics Studio Greetings 99 Works Suite 2000 $109 Works 2000 Word 2000 Encarta Standard 2000 Money 2000 Standard Home Publishing 2000 Expedia Streets & Trips 2000 Picture It! Express 2000 Works Suite 2001 $109 Works 6.0 Word 2000 Encarta Standard 2001 Money 2001 Standard Streets & Trips 2001 Picture It! Publishing 2001 Works Suite 2002 $109 Works 6.0 Word 2002 Encarta Standard 2002 Money 2002 Standard Streets & Trips 2002 Picture It! Photo 2002 Works Suite 2003 $109 before $15 rebate Works 7.0 Word 2002 Encarta Standard 2003 Money 2003 Standard Streets & Trips 2003 Picture It! Photo 7.0 Works Suite 2004 $99.99 before $15 rebate Works 7.0 Word 2002 Encarta Standard 2004 Money 2004 Standard Streets & Trips 2004 Picture It! Photo Premium 9 Works Suite 2005 $99.99 before $20 rebate Works 8.0 Word 2002 Encarta Standard 2005 Money 2005 Standard Streets & Trips 2005 Picture It! Premium 10 Works Suite 2006 $99.99 before $20 rebate Works 8.0 Word 2002 Encarta Standard 2006 Money 2006 Standard Streets & Trips Essentials 2006 Digital Image Standard 2006 Works Plus 2008 available to OEM only Works 9.0 Word 2003