Microsoft 365 Personal is a paid subscription for one person to use Office apps and cloud storage

Microsoft 365 Personal is a yearly or monthly subscription that gives one person access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Office applications on up to five devices at the same time. You also receive 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage and technical support. The subscription renews automatically each year (or month, depending on which plan you choose) unless you cancel it.

This is different from buying Microsoft Office once — with 365 Personal, you pay regularly to keep using the software. If you stop paying, you lose access to edit and create new documents, though you can still view files you made before the subscription ended.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft 365 Personal costs either a monthly fee or an annual fee, with the annual option costing less per month if you divide it out.
  • You can install and use the apps on up to five devices (computer, tablet, phone) but only one person can use the subscription.
  • The subscription includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage, which is where your files sync and back up automatically.
  • If you cancel or stop paying, you cannot edit or create new documents, but your files remain in OneDrive if you keep that account active.
  • Microsoft 365 Family is a separate product that costs more but lets up to six people use the same subscription.

What apps and features come with the subscription

Microsoft 365 Personal includes the full desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher. You also get OneNote (a note-taking app), Sway (for making web-based reports), and Forms (for surveys and quizzes). All of these work on Windows computers and Mac computers.

On phones and tablets, you can use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook through the mobile apps. These mobile apps are free to download, but with a 365 subscription you unlock editing features — without it, you can view documents but not change them.

The subscription includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage. This is cloud storage that syncs with your computer, so files you save to OneDrive appear on all your devices. If your computer crashes, your files are still in OneDrive online.

How many devices you can use and what that means

You can install Microsoft 365 Personal on up to five devices. This means you could have it on a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, and two phones all at the same time. However, only one person can use the subscription — if someone else wants to use Office, they need their own subscription or a different license.

You can be signed in and using the apps on all five devices at once. There is no limit to how many times you can sign in and out or switch between devices. If you get a new device, you can uninstall from an old one and install on the new one.

Monthly versus annual payment options

Microsoft offers two ways to pay for 365 Personal: month-to-month or a full year upfront. The monthly option lets you cancel anytime without penalty, but the per-month cost is higher. The annual option requires you to pay for the whole year at once, but the monthly cost works out lower.

Both options renew automatically. With the monthly plan, you are charged every month on the same date. With the annual plan, you are charged once a year. You can cancel either one anytime through your Microsoft account settings, and the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.

The exact prices vary by region and change occasionally. You can see the current price on Microsoft's website or in the Microsoft Store app.

How to set up and manage your subscription

To start a subscription, you need a Microsoft account (which is free to create). You go to Microsoft's website, choose the plan you want (monthly or annual), and enter a payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Microsoft will charge you immediately for the first period, then automatically on the same schedule going forward.

Once you have paid, you can download the Office apps from Microsoft's website or the Microsoft Store. You sign in with your Microsoft account, and the apps activate. You can then install on your other devices by signing in with the same account.

To manage your subscription, you log into your Microsoft account online. There you can see your billing history, change your payment method, update your address, or cancel. You can also see how much OneDrive storage you are using and buy more if you need it.

What happens if you cancel or your subscription expires

If you cancel or stop paying, your Office apps stop working for editing and creating new documents. You can still open and view files you made before the subscription ended, but you cannot make changes. The apps will show a message saying the subscription has expired and prompt you to renew.

Your OneDrive storage and files remain online as long as your Microsoft account stays active. You can still access them through the OneDrive website or app. However, if your account is inactive for a long time (Microsoft's policy is typically 13 months of no sign-in), Microsoft may delete the files.

If you renew your subscription later, your Office apps work again immediately after you pay. You do not lose any files or settings.

Microsoft 365 Personal versus other Office options

Microsoft offers several ways to get Office, and the right choice depends on how many people need it and whether you want to own it or rent it. Microsoft 365 Family costs more than Personal but lets up to six people use it, each on their own devices. Microsoft Office 2021 (or earlier versions) is a one-time purchase with no subscription, but you do not get updates and it only works on one computer. Microsoft 365 for the web is free and works in any web browser, but it has fewer features than the desktop apps.

If you use Office only occasionally or do not need the full feature set, the web version might be enough. If multiple people in your household need Office, Family is usually cheaper per person than buying Personal for each of them. If you want to own the software outright and do not need updates, a one-time purchase of Office 2021 is an option, though it is no longer sold directly by Microsoft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Microsoft 365 Personal on a work computer?

Yes, you can install it on any device you own or have permission to use. However, if your employer provides you with a work computer and a work Microsoft account, your employer may have policies about what software you can install. Check with your IT department first.

Do I need internet to use the Office apps?

You need internet to activate the subscription and to sign in the first time. After that, you can use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint offline on your computer. However, some features (like real-time collaboration or accessing OneDrive files) require internet. Outlook needs internet to send and receive email.

What if I share a computer with someone else?

Only one person can use the subscription, even if multiple people use the same computer. If someone else signs in with their own Microsoft account, they will see a message that the subscription is not active for them. They would need their own subscription or a different Office license.

Can I transfer my subscription to someone else?

No, subscriptions are tied to the Microsoft account that paid for them. You cannot transfer it to another person. If you no longer need it, you can cancel and the other person can buy their own subscription.

Is there a student discount for Microsoft 365 Personal?

Microsoft does not offer a discount on 365 Personal for students. However, many schools and universities provide free Microsoft 365 accounts to students as part of their enrollment. Check with your school's IT department or student portal to see if you have access.