Microsoft 365, earlier known as Microsoft Office or MS Office is a useful tool that is used on laptops and desktops. Its applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, etc. have all been used by us at some point in our school or professional lives. Even today, Microsoft 365 apps are used by students, professionals, homemakers, businessmen, and everyone else alike.
To use all its apps with all their features, one has to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription. In January 2023, Microsoft announced that Microsoft 365 basic subscription will cost 2 dollars per month and 20 dollars/year. However, if you don’t want to spend money buying this subscription, several workarounds are used one can get Microsoft 365 for free.
Microsoft 365 Suite Components
The MS 365 suite includes the following apps and tools.
- Microsoft Teams
- OneDrive
- Outlook
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- OneNote
- Share Point
- Access
- Planner
- Exchange Server
- Bookings
- Power BI
- Publisher
- Skype for Business
- Forms
- Defender Antivirus
- Intune
- Yammer
- Exchange Online
- Project
- SharePoint Designer
Some of these apps cost between 20 USD per month to 100 USD per month.
If you don’t want to spend this much money, then here are some ways to get a Microsoft 365 license for free.
1. Use Microsoft 365 Online
Microsoft offers a free Microsoft 365 online version under which you can use its newest apps in your web browser without paying anything. This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Mail, People, Calendar, OneDrive, and more. However, because it is a free and online version, the apps can be used with limited features only. For example, in MS Word, you can’t change Font Size or can’t use WordArt in the online version. Features might be limited in Microsoft Online, but it is a completely free version of Microsoft 365.
2. Use Microsoft 365 Mobile Applications
Microsoft Office is free for Android and iOS devices. The light versions of Microsoft 365 mobile apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be used on smartphones for free. The functionality of the apps on your device is difficult to talk about. Like for example, editing a Word document on an Android smartphone screen is easy but editing an Excel sheet requires some experience and practice.
Android and iOS users can download the Microsoft 365 app from the Play Store and use components like Word and Excel easily, but other Microsoft 365 apps like Lens, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc are slightly complicated to use.
3. Sign-Up for Microsoft 365 Free Trial
If you haven’t signed up for the free trial of Microsoft Office 2021, then you can do it now. It is a one-month free trial for which you don’t have to pay anything. Moreover, you will get all the apps that are a part of MS Office Suite of 2021 for free, that too complete access. You will also get 1TB OneDrive cloud storage for free.
To avail free trial you will have to enter details of your credit/debit card or PayPal account details. As soon as the free trial is over, you will be charged to the account details you have entered. So, if you don’t want to pay for the subscription, cancel it as soon as the free trial ends.
4. Get a Microsoft 365 subscription via your School/Office
While there are workarounds to get a Microsoft 365 subscription for free, all these come with some limitations and don’t give full access. However, if your school or office has a Microsoft 365 license, you can also access it for free.
Most of the schools and offices buy original Microsoft 365 licenses so that all the employees/students can use them. From them, you can get the full version of all apps for free. Just ask your teacher or in-charge for access.
FAQs
1. Is Internet access needed for Microsoft 365?
Internet access is required to install and activate all the latest released apps and services included in all Microsoft 365 subscription plans. You need internet to manage your account and keep the version updated. However, you do not need to be connected to the Internet to use Office apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint because the apps are installed on your computer.
2. How many people can use a Microsoft 365 subscription?
You can share Microsoft 365 Family with 5 other people, for a total of 6 users. Microsoft 365 can be used by one person.
3. What is Microsoft 365 used for?
Microsoft 365 is used to create, share, and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time. It allows saving work directly on OneDrive so that you can access the latest version of files by any computer running a supported operating system.
4. Can Microsoft 365 be bought for a lifetime?
No, you can buy the subscription for a month or a year. You will have to keep paying monthly or annually until you choose to cancel the subscription.
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