Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft 365: Features, Pricing & Free Options

Gone are the days of walking into an electronics store, picking up a neatly boxed Microsoft Office CD, and happily installing it on your trusty PC. Microsoft’s iconic productivity suite, once a standalone product available for a one-time purchase, has undergone a complete transformation. It’s now all grown up with the name Microsoft 365, clad in a shiny new subscription-based business model, and stuffed to the brim with additional features.
But what does Microsoft 365 offer, how much does it cost, and can you grab it for free? Fear not, WindowsForum faithful—I’m here to break it all down for you in vivid detail.

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What is Microsoft 365?​

At its core, Microsoft 365 is essentially the artist formerly known as Microsoft Office, rebranded and upgraded to meet the needs of a cloud-first world. Microsoft 365 dives headfirst into the subscription economy, giving you access to essential programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but also throwing in a bunch of shiny new tools and cloud-based services.
For those unfamiliar with the suite, here’s a quick overview of what’s in the digital toolbox:

Included Programs & Features​

• Word: The go-to word processor since dial-up internet days.
• Excel: For all your spreadsheet wizardry, from simple charts to complex pivot tables.
• PowerPoint: The king of presentations, now with sleek transitions and collab-friendly features.
• Outlook: Keeping emails organized (or at least trying to).
• OneDrive: Microsoft’s answer to Google Drive—a secure cloud file storage platform with seamless integration.
• Teams: A supercharged tool for team collaboration complete with video calls, file sharing, chat, and calendar management.
• Skype: The OG of video calling apps, still alive and kicking if you need it.

While the old-school Microsoft Office you remember ended its journey as a standalone buy-once product, Microsoft 365 offers the same trusted apps plus extras that make full use of the cloud. Collaboration tools, real-time editing, and anywhere-access from just about any device make it a standout for personal and professional use.
Oh, and pro tip: if you still have your 1997 version of Excel, you might want to let it go gracefully into retirement...

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The Cost Breakdown: How Much Does Microsoft 365 Cost?​

So we know this isn’t the ol’ "buy-once-and-install” deal of yore. Microsoft 365 now operates on a subscription basis, and here’s what it’ll cost you.

Pricing Tiers​

1. Microsoft 365 Family Plan
   • Monthly: $9.99
   • Yearly: $99.99 (Save about $20 annually)
   • Users: Up to six users can share this plan—a bargain for families!
   • Includes all the apps and 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage per person.
2. Microsoft 365 Personal Plan
   • Monthly: $6.99
   • Yearly: $69.99 (Save about $14 annually)
   • Users: Access for one individual.
   • Same perks as the Family Plan but for a single user (1TB OneDrive storage, full app access).
3. Education Edition (Free!)
   • Cost: $0, nada, zilch—but only for students and educators with valid school-issued email addresses.
   • Includes the full suite of Office apps and is perfect for academic use.
4. One-Time Trial
   • Try Microsoft 365 free for one month, but remember to cancel before it automatically renews. (Set a calendar reminder—we’ve all been there.)

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Can You Use Microsoft 365 for Free?​

Here’s where it gets exciting. Yes, there are actually ways to use Microsoft 365 without paying a dime. Cue the sound of budgeting angels singing hallelujah!

How To Use Microsoft 365 for Free​

1. Web-Based Version
   Microsoft offers a free version of Office apps, accessible through a web browser (checkout Word Online, Excel Online, or PowerPoint Online). Simply sign in with a Microsoft account, and you’re ready to go.
   • Limitations: Requires internet access and lacks some premium features like advanced data analysis in Excel or offline usage.
2. Microsoft 365 Education
   If you’re a student or educator, you're in luck. Sign up with a school-assigned email for free access to full-fledged versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. No downgrades here!
3. Access Runtime Files
   This is a lesser-known option. You can download Access Runtime (32-bit or 64-bit) files, meant for running apps made with Access but comes with significant functionality reductions.
4. Shared Family Plans
   Piggyback off someone else’s family plan. That’s not freeloading—it's resourceful teamwork…right?

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So, What’s the Difference Between Microsoft 365 and Classic Office?​

If you’re still pining for the classic Office Suite (and I get it—some of us don’t like change), here’s the key distinction:

• Office Suite (Classic Version): Pay once, own it forever, use it offline—but there are no updates, and features age faster than your gaming PC when a new GPU drops.
• Microsoft 365: Pay on a subscription basis, but you’ll get constant updates, new features, and seamless integration across any device or platform. It's cloud-connected, so you can collaborate from anywhere.

In summary, Office Suite was the reliable tortoise. Microsoft 365, however, is the hyper-modern hare with cloud speed.

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How to Cancel Microsoft 365​

You’ve got your subscription, everything’s running smooth...until it’s not. Maybe you’re switching to a competitor like Google Workspace, or you’re simply done with the monthly bills. Canceling your Microsoft 365 subscription is straightforward—just follow these steps:

1. Sign in to the Microsoft account associated with the subscription.
2. Navigate to Services & Subscriptions in your account dashboard.
3. Click "Manage" next to your Microsoft 365 subscription.
4. Click "Cancel Subscription" (or "Upgrade or Cancel").
5. Select "I Don’t Want My Subscription" and confirm.

However, note that cancellation does not always guarantee an immediate refund, especially if there’s significant time left on your subscription’s billing cycle. You can always review Microsoft’s refund policy for specifics.

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Should You Make the Leap to Microsoft 365?​

Now that the smoke has cleared, do the upgrades justify the subscriptions? Here’s a simplified take for different user groups:

• For Power Users: If you love cloud connectivity, frequent updates, or work in collaborative settings, Microsoft 365 is a no-brainer.
• For Legacy Users: People using older versions of Office successfully offline might not see the value in a subscription. But watch out—modern Office files and features may become incompatible with ancient software.
• For Students: Take advantage of Office 365 Education. It’s free. It’s useful. Enough said.

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Final Thoughts​

Microsoft 365 is no longer just about typing up resumes on Word and making pie charts in Excel. It’s a productivity powerhouse, designed to meet the needs of individuals, families, students, and businesses alike—with a heavy emphasis on cloud convenience. While the subscription model might feel like a financial commitment, the added value it offers in terms of collaboration, security, and constantly evolving features can easily outweigh the costs.
Are you ready to jump aboard the Microsoft 365 train, or are you holding on to your precious standalone Office Suite CDs? Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s get the discussion started!

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Source: Business Insider Everything to know about Microsoft 365, formerly Microsoft Office: Programs, features, cost, and how to use it for free