'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Can I Use Microsoft 365 Desktop Apps with an Office 365 E1 License?
Question details
The user wants to know if they can access and use the desktop versions of Microsoft 365 applications with an Office 365 E1 license.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook desktop clients under an Office 365 E1 plan.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unable to use the Microsoft 365 desktop client because the Office 365 E1 license only provides web-based productivity services.
Log in to your Microsoft account or the Microsoft 365 admin center to verify your current active subscription and assigned licenses.
Upgrade to a Microsoft 365 Plan with Desktop Apps
To use the full desktop versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you must upgrade to or be assigned a license that includes the Microsoft 365 Apps desktop client.
The Office 365 E1 license is strictly designed for web and mobile productivity, meaning desktop application usage is completely restricted. To resolve this, administrators need to upgrade the user's license to a tier that supports desktop deployment.
Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.
Go to the 'Billing' menu on the left sidebar and select 'Purchase services' to browse available plans.
Choose a plan that includes desktop apps, such as Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Office 365 E3, or Office 365 E5, and complete the purchase.
Go to 'Users' > 'Active users', select the specific user, click 'Licenses and apps', and assign the newly purchased license while unassigning the E1 license if no longer needed.
Use Microsoft 365 Web Applications
If upgrading your license is not an option, you can continue working using the web-based applications fully supported by your current Office 365 E1 license.
Get Free Desktop Office Apps with WPS Office
If your Office 365 E1 license lacks desktop application support and upgrading is too expensive, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and powerful desktop alternative. Enjoy seamless compatibility with Microsoft formats and a familiar interface without paying for expensive subscription tiers.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free desktop application for your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer and follow the quick setup instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Microsoft Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open, edit, and save any existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents natively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is included in the Office 365 E1 license?
The Office 365 E1 plan includes business services like email, file storage, and Microsoft Teams, along with web-based versions of Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). It specifically excludes the fully installable desktop versions of these applications.
Which Microsoft 365 plans include the desktop applications?
If you need desktop applications, you should look for plans such as Microsoft 365 Apps for business or enterprise, Office 365 E3, Office 365 E5, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, or Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Can I use Office mobile apps on my phone with an E1 license?
Yes, the Office 365 E1 license generally allows users to install and use the basic features of Office mobile apps on iOS and Android devices, provided the device screen size is 10.1 inches or smaller.
What happens if I try to sign into a desktop app with an E1 account?
If you attempt to sign into an installed Microsoft 365 desktop application using an account that only has an E1 license, you will receive an error stating that your account does not allow editing on a Mac or PC, and the app will typically run in a read-only or reduced functionality mode.
