Microsoft begins testing paid version of Outlook.com

Microsoft has invited people to join a pilot program for Outlook.com Premium, a paid version of its email service. Users can get a custom domain name with this, among other things.

The first users were invited by Microsoft via email, and they received an invite code. This must be entered on a special website, after which Outlook.com Premium is accessed. Anyone who has not received an invitation can request one on that website, although it is unclear to what extent Microsoft provides invite codes. Microsoft insider Paul Thurrott was the first to discover the page; it is unclear how long it had been online because the company itself has not released much about it publicly.

For the paid version, an amount of 4 dollars per month is requested, converted about 3.50 euros. For this, the customer is given the option to register a custom domain, after which five e-mail addresses of his choice can be added. GoDaddy services are used to register domain names. An ad-free inbox is also provided and calendar sharing has been improved. Anyone who participates in the pilot does not have to pay for the first year.

In February it was announced that Microsoft was working on a Premium version of Outlook.com, although the company did not want to give many details at the time. It is also still unclear when the trial period will end and the paid services will become available to the general public.