In the ongoing sea change underway at Microsoft, the company has announced that Microsoft Money Plus and Microsoft Money Essentials (formerly known as just Microsoft Money) will be going off the market forever in just two weeks: After June 30, 2009, the software will no longer be offered for sale.

This shouldn't come as a great surprise: Microsoft stopped updating its financial management software in 2008 and hasn't released a new version in nearly two years.

The move also follows the announcement of the shuttering of the Microsoft Encarta project, which will vanish in all its incarnations (online and offline) before the end of this year.

Unlike Encarta, though, Microsoft will continue to offer an online version of its financial management tools, at least in some form: MSN Money offers basic account management and bill paying services, though it's a far cry from the in-depth financial management and analysis tools that standalone software like Money or Quicken can provide.

If you're already a Money/Money Plus user, bear in mind that Microsoft's move will affect you, possibly with considerable trouble: Already-installed Money applications will continue to work, but after January 31, 2011, you will no longer be able to activate Microsoft Money Plus on your computer. That means if your computer crashes after that date, you won't be able to reinstall the software (and will likely lose whatever data you're storing in the Money Plus app). Older versions of the Money app (those without the "Plus" and dated 2007 or earlier) should still be able to be installed since they don't include product activation. If you're using Money 2007 (or earlier), you're advised not to upgrade.

All online services included in the MS Money app will end on by January 31, 2011, as well, though the actual date depends on when your software was activated. Tax updates and integrated bill payment services will obviously be discontinued, too, by that date. Check this FAQ for details if you need more specifics.

As with Encarta, this is an ignominious end for a product with a long and distinguished history. Money was first introduced in 1991 as a competitor to Intuit Quicken, and many reviews in the 1990s and early 2000s found that Microsoft had done a good job of challenging the leader, many feeling that Money was actually the superior product. (The reviews were always close, either way.) But now, as with Encarta, Money has been caught in the massive shift from standalone applications to the web. Makes me wonder what major application will be the next to fall.

Farewell, Money!

UPDATE: Intuit will give you $20 to $50 if you switch to Quicken...