License & Subscription Issues

Can You Buy Microsoft 365 as a Gift? How to Purchase for Someone Else

Bushra Parveen Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription for another person and how the product key redemption and account ownership process works.

How to Buy Microsoft 365 as a Gift for Someone Else

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Purchasing a Microsoft 365 subscription as a gift for someone who may not have a credit card.
Observed behavior: The user needs a method to ensure the subscription is linked to the recipient's Microsoft account rather than the purchaser's account.

Before you start

Ensure the recipient has an active Microsoft account before purchasing the gift, as they will need it to redeem the product key and claim the subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Purchase a Standalone Product Key for the Recipient

The safest way to gift Microsoft 365 is to buy a 25-character product key from an authorized retailer so the recipient can permanently link it to their own Microsoft account.

When you buy Microsoft 365 directly through the Microsoft Store, it automatically ties the subscription to your logged-in account. To avoid this and ensure the recipient owns the software, you must purchase a physical or digital product key from a third-party retailer.

Purchase the Product Key

Buy a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family product key from an authorized retailer (such as Amazon, Best Buy, or a local electronics store).

Give the Key to the Recipient

Provide the 25-character product code to the person you are gifting the software to.

Redeem the Subscription

Ask the recipient to visit Microsoft's official Office setup page (setup.office.com), sign in with their own Microsoft account, and enter the product key to activate their subscription.

Purchase a Standalone Product Key for the Recipient

Permanent Account Link: Once the product key is redeemed, the subscription is permanently linked to that specific Microsoft account and cannot be transferred to another user later.

Solution 2

Share a Microsoft 365 Family Subscription

If you want to provide Office apps to a family member or friend and are willing to manage the billing yourself, consider using the Microsoft 365 Family plan.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

WPS Office: The Best Free Alternative to Microsoft 365

Skip the expensive subscriptions, complex gifting processes, and product key redemptions. WPS Office is a completely free, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft 365. You or your recipient can enjoy professional Word, Excel, and PowerPoint tools immediately without needing a credit card or mandatory account setup.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and instantly start using Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation without entering any payment information.

100% free with no mandatory recurring subscriptions or product keys requiredSeamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxLightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devicesFamiliar ribbon interface ensures zero learning curve for switching users

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a Microsoft 365 subscription directly from the Microsoft Store as a gift?

No. Purchasing directly from the Microsoft Store while logged into your account will automatically link the subscription to your own Microsoft account. To ensure the recipient owns it, you must buy a standalone product key from a third-party retailer.

How many devices can the recipient use with Microsoft 365 Personal?

With a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription, the recipient can install the Office applications on an unlimited number of devices, but they can only be actively signed into up to five devices simultaneously.

Can the subscription owner be changed after the product key is redeemed?

No. Once a Microsoft 365 product key is successfully redeemed, the subscription is permanently bound to the Microsoft account used during the redemption process and cannot be transferred to another person.

Login & Account Issues