Microsoft Office 2010 will offer a free, ad-supported “Starter” edition, in addition to its regular, rather pricey offerings. Beta invites are already going out, and you can increase your chances at a spot by filling out a quick online survey.

This will however change as Microsoft has discontinued further development of Works and they’ll instead include a basic version of Microsoft Office 2010 with new PCs that will again be free but may have ads. The new version, known as Office 2010 Starter Edition, will include Word and Excel applications but with limited functionality.

To learn more about Office 2010 Starter, watch the following video where Office program managers Brian Albrecht and Scott Kahler also explain things that you can do with the Starter Edition.

Filling out the survey won’t guarantee a place in the 2010 Starter beta program, but it certainly won’t hurt, if you’re itching for a chance to give it a go.

Microsoft Office 2010 Starter Program Nomination Form

[Microsoft via Digital Inspiration]