To celebrate Windows 95's release and to promote the advantages of a native Windows 95 application, Money 95 was available as a free web download from Microsoft's web site between 24 August 1995 and 31 October 1995. The first version of Microsoft Money dated back to 1991 and was originally part of the Microsoft Home series. However, these versions were discontinued due to what was believed to be an insufficient user-base to justify the expense of localization for more recent versions or the expense to integrate support for the national online-banking standard like HBCI in Germany. There were also localized versions for other countries, such as Russia, Brazil, Germany and Italy. The last Canadian version was Money 2006.

However, Microsoft had not updated the U.K., French and international editions since Money 2005. There were versions of Microsoft Money for the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Canada and an International English edition for other English speaking countries. The software comes with full functionality (sans online services) and allowed unlimited installation/re-installation without the need for activation. Microsoft announced on Augthat it is releasing Microsoft Money Plus Sunset (replacements for expired versions of Microsoft Money Essentials, Deluxe, Premium and Home and Business). On June 10th, 2009, Microsoft announced that it would discontinue sales of the software on 30 June 2009. The last version, released in August 2007, was called Microsoft Money Plus and came in four editions: Essentials, Deluxe, Premium and Home & Business. It was designed for computers using the Microsoft Windows operating system, though versions for Windows Mobile were also available (available for Money 2000-2006 on select versions of Windows Mobile, up to, but not including, Windows Mobile 5.0). Microsoft Money was Microsoft's personal finance software.

Microsoft money sunset for mac