Users of Office Starter that came pre-installed on Windows 7 did not usually require payment to continue using it. Office Starter was a stripped-down version of Microsoft Office that included limited functionality compared to the full Office suite. It included basic versions of Word and Excel, and it was supported by ads.
If users wanted additional features or a more comprehensive Office suite, they could upgrade to the full version of Microsoft Office by purchasing a license, but this was not mandatory. Some users might have opted to upgrade to the full version for more features and greater functionality.
However, the specific options available for users could vary based on the computer manufacturer and the Office Starter package...