On October 31, 2009, MSN® Encarta® Web sites worldwide will be discontinued, with the exception of Encarta Japan, which will be discontinued on December 31, 2009. Additionally, Microsoft will cease to sell Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products worldwide by June 2009. We understand that Encarta users may have questions regarding this announcement so we have prepared this list of questions and answers below. Please keep reading if you would like more information about these changes to Encarta.
Why are these Encarta Web sites and software products being discontinued?Encarta has been a popular product around the world for many years. However, the category of traditional encyclopedias and reference material has changed. People today seek and consume information in considerably different ways than in years past. As part of Microsoft’s goal to deliver the most effective and engaging resources for today’s consumer, it has made the decision to exit the Encarta business.
Microsoft's vision is that everyone around the world needs to have access to quality education, and we believe that we can use what we’ve learned and assets we’ve accrued with offerings like Encarta to develop future technology solutions. In doing so, we feel strongly that we are making the right investments that will help make our vision a reality.
When are these Encarta Web sites and software products being discontinued?
MSN Encarta worldwide (except Japan) will be discontinued on October 31, 2009. MSN Encarta Japan will be discontinued on December 31, 2009. After these specified dates, the Web sites will no longer be available.
Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products are also being discontinued. Microsoft will stop making them available for sale by June 2009.
I use Encarta on MSN Explorer. How does this affect me?
On October 31, 2009 Encarta will no longer be available on MSN Explorer. All other aspects of your MSN Explorer service are unaffected by this change. MSN Explorer will post additional information on the Encarta decommission as it becomes available on On October 31, 2009 Encarta will no longer be available on MSN Explorer. All other aspects of your MSN Explorer service are unaffected by this change. MSN Explorer will post additional information on the Encarta decommission as it becomes available on Member Center and through direct subscriber communications.
Questions about MSN Encarta Premium* Subscriptions
*Does not include MSN Dial-up or MSN Premium subscribers. To verify your subscription type, visit Microsoft Billing & Account Management.
I paid for a subscription to MSN Encarta Premium. Will I get my money back?
MSN Encarta Premium monthly and annual subscribers who have an active subscription as of April 30, 2009, will receive a refund to their credit card prorated for any subscription fees paid beyond April 30, 2009. They will continue to have access to MSN Encarta Premium until the service is discontinued on October 31, 2009.
How are you issuing me the refund?
We will issue a refund to the credit card we have on file that was used for billing your subscription. If your card has expired, please update it by visiting We will issue a refund to the credit card we have on file that was used for billing your subscription. If your card has expired, please update it by visiting Microsoft Billing & Account Management
When will the refund be issued to my credit card?
Refunds will be issued on April 30, 2009. The credit should be posted to your credit card account within 2-3 business days.
Can I still use the same account login after April 30, 2009, for my MSN Encarta Premium access?
Yes. The login that is associated with your subscription active as of April 30, 2009, is the one you will continue to use through the end of October 2009 (or December 2009 for MSN Encarta Japan).
Who do I contact if I have more questions about my MSN Encarta Premium account?
You can go to You can go to https://support.msn.com , sign in, and you will be able to view ways to contact Billing & Account Management for more support.
Questions about the Discontinuation of Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium Software Products
Will this discontinuation affect the current version of Microsoft Student or Encarta Premium software that I have installed? Will all my information be irrelevant next year?
Although Microsoft will stop selling Student and Encarta Premium software by June 2009, Microsoft will continue to release updates to current versions of Encarta in the U.S. and international markets through October 2009 and in Japan through December 2009.
When will Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products no longer be available for purchase?
By June 2009, Microsoft will stop selling all Encarta software products. MSN Encarta will remain online through October 2009 worldwide, except in Japan where it will remain online through December 2009.
How long will I be able to get technical support for the Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products I own?
Our technical support policy for software has not changed. Technical support will be available for Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium for 3 years through Our technical support policy for software has not changed. Technical support will be available for Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium for 3 years through http://support.microsoft.com
Will other Microsoft education software products be discontinued?
We’re not making any other announcements at this time. By changing our product offerings and both adding and discontinuing products, Microsoft looks for ways to deliver the most effective technology offerings to help make teaching and learning more engaging and relevant in the 21st century.
If you have feedback you would like to share with the Encarta team, you may send it to the Encarta Feedback Mailbox.
La empresa norteamericana Microsoft anunció el cierre de la enciclopedia en línea Encarta, un portal que requería un pago de suscripción para acceder a los contenidos enciclopédicos. La fecha prevista para el cierre es el 31 de octubre de este año en todo el mundo, salvo en Japón que será el 31 de diciembre. Después de estos plazos, el sitio ya no se encontrará disponible.

El sitio del portal reseña que:



Diversos medios se han hecho eco de la noticia, y le atribuyen el cierre por la creciente baja de popularidad del sitio y por el avance de Wikipedia, una enciclopedia libre editada por los mismos usuarios.