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Yesyou can get Microsoft 365 free - here's how
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Microsoft 365 requires a subscription to unlock full features.
- You can still access apps like Word and Excel for free.
- Free options include using the web version or the mobile app.
No matter what phase of your education or professional life you may find yourself infrom time to timeyou'll likely still need to access Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Microsoft Office) software like WordExcelPowerPointor Outlook. But if you aren't using it regularlyyou probably don't want to pay the $100+ a year for a subscription.
Luckilythere are a few ways to access Microsoft 365 apps totally free. Yesthere are caveats -- but for most peoplethey won't matter.
Here are three ways to use Microsoft 365 for free.
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1. Go to Office.com (and stay connected to the internet)
Microsoft allows free access to WordExceland PowerPoint in your internet browserso long as you sign up for a free Microsoft account. Here's how you do it:
1. Go to Office.com.
2. Click Sign In. If you don't have an accountclick Create One.
3. Enter your email addressand go through the verification process.
4. Enter your countrybirth dateand name.
That's it! You can now sign in and open WordExcelPowerPointOutlookOneDriveTeamsor OneNote from the side panel. You just need to be working while connected to the internet.
If you want to use more advanced featuresincluding Copilot Chatyou'll need to pay for the subscription. But if you're just looking to work in a Word docthis should be all you need. You can still createsaveand download files as needed.
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The free version comes with 5GB of OneDrive storagebut that should be plenty if you aren't using it oftenor can download and then delete files as you go.
2. Download the mobile Microsoft 365 Copilot app
If you like to work from your phone during your commute or sometimes need to quickly access a document while on the goyou can use Microsoft 365 via its mobile apps for free. (It used to be called the Office appand it's now the Microsoft 365 Copilot app.)
1. On your phoneopen the App Store (on iOS) or the Google Play Store (on Android).
2. Search for Microsoft 365 Copilot. It looks like this.
3. Hit download.
4. Sign in (you'll need a free Microsoft accountwhich you can create there by pushing Create).
5. The first time you sign inyou'll be prompted to upgrade to a paid accountbut you can keep pushing "Try later."
6. You'll find your existing documents under "Search." You can open and view them in this appbut if you want to continue editingyou'll need to download the individual apps for WordExceletc.which are also free.
3. Take advantage of the student and teacher program
Teachers and students with an eligible school email address can get Office 365 A1 for freeand use it as long as they work at or are enrolled in a qualified school. This version includes the web-based versions of core Office apps (WordExcelPowerPointOutlookOneNote).
Students who are interested in upgrading to Microsoft 365 Premium (which lets you use AI and Copilot features) can take advantage of a 12-month free trialafter which you'll get charged $20 per month if you don't cancel.