Update: The latest version is Microsoft Money Plus Sunset Deluxe, which is free.

What is Microsoft Money Essentials?

Microsoft Money Essentials is very simple personal finance software with ample tools to do the personal finance basics which was designed for new financial software users or for those who want fewer features at a lower cost with their personal finance software.
Read my Microsoft Money Essentials review for more details.

If you need more robust personal finance software, try the free Microsoft Money trial.

How Long Can the Free Trial be Used?

You can evaluate Money Essentials for 60 days, beginning when you first use the trial software. In other words, if you download the trial now but do not open the trial software for another week, your 60 days would start a week from today.
After 60 days, the data you entered into Microsoft Money Essentials is not lost, but you can't access it until you buy the full version

Some Warnings:

• Microsoft Money Essentials requires you to start a new data file. Money Essentials data is not compatible with higher Microsoft Money versions. You can't open a data file created in Money Essentials with any other version.
• The Microsoft Money Essentials trial software does not include any of the audio or multimedia features of the full retail version of Money Essentials. The trial is also missing user guides, but you can get Microsoft Money user guides online. The Money Essentials trial software is fully functional in every other way.

• Microsoft Money Essentials is intended for U.S. customers only.

Download Microsoft Money Essentials Free Trial

The time it takes to download the free Money Essentials trial depends on your Internet connection speed. A dial up connection will take longer than broadband connections, so have patience if you are a dial up customer.

1. You will find the free Microsoft Money Essentials trial software here.
2. Once the Money Essentials Trial website loads in your browser, click on “Download the free 60-day trial version now”.
3. Choose "Save this program to disk" when prompted. Click OK.
4. You'll be asked to specify the directory (folder) to download Microsoft Money Essentials to. I suggest creating a convenient folder named, "Download" on your Windows Desktop for saving downloaded files.
   • Be sure to remember the directory you choose so you can find the download later to install Money Essentials.
   • Or just save the download to your Desktop so it will be extra easy to find. Once you install Microsoft Money Essentials you will not need the downloaded file any more.
5. Click Save.
6. After the file is downloaded, locate the directory specified in step 3 (or just view your desktop) and double-click the file 'mnyestrl'.
7. The setup program will provide instructions for installing the Money Essentials Trial. You will need to accept the end user license agreement to use the trial software. It is safe to do so.

Microsoft Money Users

Microsoft Money and the Money Essentials trial will run on the same computer because the Money Essentials trial installs to a different folder than Microsoft Money. Remember that Money Essentials was designed for new users and it will not open Microsoft Money data files. You will need to create a new data file in Money Essentials.
If you decide to uninstall the Money Essentials free trial, you may need to reinstall your current version of Microsoft Money from the original program CD, or zip file if you purchase Microsoft Money online.