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The company cites download demand in excess of 3 million in the two months since the beta 2 was made available and describes the decision to charge for further downloads as a 'cost recovery measure'.

Instead Microsoft is urging interested parties to try out the Office software online on its 'test drive' service.

However, for those looking to test how the client and server systems behave within their own networks, a local installation is required. Beta 2 can

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be anything up to 2GB in size for the client version depending on which components are selected, and the server versions can exceed 1GB in size.

The fees will be introduced from 6pm PDT on 2 August, so a rush on downloading the beta can be expected in the run up to that deadline. The beta is already available on peer-to-peer services, including BitTorrent, although there is always a security issue inherent in downloading anything from an unknown source.

Microsoft has said that the decision to charge is not a blueprint for things to come and that there are no plans to introduce paid-for betas across the board.

The paid-for version of the beta will not differ in any way from the 'free' version. Once the software is released to manufacturing, the beta will be withdrawn, and after the software is commercially launched, the beta will shut down many of the advanced features and only operate with reduced functionality.

The beta is scheduled to shut down 1 February, giving credence to Microsoft's plans for an early 2007 general release, although the company has not confirmed whether or not this date is a moveable feast.