A Time Capsule of Knowledge: Microsoft Encarta Premium

Microsoft Encarta Premium offers a rich trove of multimedia educational content, making learning interactive, though it struggles to compete with modern online resources.
Microsoft Encarta Premium was a digital multimedia encyclopedia developed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1993 and continued to be updated and improved over the years. Encarta Premium included articles, videos, images, maps, and animations covering a wide range of topics.
- The encyclopedia featured articles on history, geography, science, technology, arts, and more.
- Users could also interact with interactive timelines, maps, and quizzes to enhance their learning experience.
- Encarta Premium was available both online and offline for users to access at any time.
- Over the years, Microsoft Encarta Premium became a valuable resource for students, researchers, and anyone seeking knowledge on various topics.
However, with the rise of the internet and the availability of free information online, Microsoft discontinued Encarta in 2009. Despite its discontinuation, Microsoft Encarta remains an important piece of digital history that transformed the way people accessed and learned from information.
Overview
Microsoft Encarta Premium is a Commercial software in the category Education developed by Microsoft.
The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked Microsoft Encarta Premium for updates 94 times during the last month.
The latest version of Microsoft Encarta Premium is 2009, released on 08/25/2010. It was initially added to our database on 08/24/2007. The most prevalent version is 2009, which is used by 100% of all installations.
Microsoft Encarta Premium runs on the following operating systems: Windows.
Microsoft Encarta Premium has not been rated by our users yet.
Pros
- Extensive and authoritative content on a wide range of topics
- Rich multimedia including images, videos, and interactive features
- Regular updates to keep the information current and relevant
- User-friendly interface making it easy to navigate and search for specific information
- Includes features like timelines, maps, and quizzes for interactive learning
Cons
- Discontinued in 2009, so no longer receives updates or new content
- No longer supported by Microsoft for technical assistance or troubleshooting
- Requires installation on a computer, may not be compatible with newer operating systems
- Paid software, with no free version available
FAQ
What is Microsoft Encarta Premium?
Microsoft Encarta Premium is an interactive encyclopedia software that was published by Microsoft. It provides detailed articles, images, videos, animations, and interactive features for various subjects including science, history, geography, and more.
Is Microsoft Encarta still available?
No. Microsoft discontinued Encarta in 2009 and stopped selling the software in 2011. However, the software can still be found on some third-party websites but they may not be reliable sources.
What type of content is included in Microsoft Encarta Premium?
Encarta Premium includes thousands of articles, maps, images, videos, animations, timelines, and quizzes on a wide range of topics like science, history, culture, geography, literature, and more.
What are the system requirements for Microsoft Encarta Premium?
Processor: Intel Pentium III or higher RAM: 256 MB or more Hard Disk Space: 4.5 GB or more Operating System: Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 2 or later Windows Vista
Operating System:
Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 2 or later Windows Vista
Can I access Encarta Premium online?
No. Encarta Premium was a downloadable software product and had to be installed on a computer. It cannot be accessed online.
Is Encarta Premium a reliable source of information?
Encarta Premium used to be a reliable source of information when it was being updated and maintained by Microsoft. But, since it is no longer maintained, some of the information may be out-of-date or inaccurate. Therefore, it is recommended to use other updated and reliable sources of information.
Can I still use Microsoft Encarta Premium on my old computer?
Yes. If you have a valid license and an older computer that meets the system requirements, you can still use Microsoft Encarta Premium on it. However, Microsoft will not provide any support for the software anymore.
What are the alternatives to Microsoft Encarta Premium?
There are several other reliable and up-to-date alternatives to Encarta Premium such as Wikipedia, Britannica, World Book, and many more. These alternatives offer similar information on various subjects along with additional features like referencing, citation, and more credible sources.

Pete Milner
I'm Pete, a software reviewer at UpdateStar with a passion for the ever-evolving world of technology. My background in engineering gives me a unique insight into the intricacies of software, allowing me to provide in-depth, knowledgeable reviews and analyses. Whether it's the newest software releases, tech innovations, or the latest trends, I'm here to break it all down for you. I work from UpdateStar’s Berlin main office.
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