Microsoft Works 6.0, released in 2000, was basically the “lite” version of Microsoft Office for anyone who didn’t need—or want to pay for—the full suite. It packed a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and a few home productivity tools into one easy bundle that ran on just about any Windows 98 or Windows ME machine. Unlike Office, Works kept things simple and didn’t crush your PC’s resources, which was perfect for family computers and school projects back then. This version streamlined file compatibility a bit, letting you open and save in Office formats, but it was still its own thing—cheap, lightweight, and everywhere on early 2000s desktops until Microsoft finally pulled the plug on the Works line in 2009.