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How to Cancel and Upgrade the Wrong Microsoft 365 Business Plan
Question details
The user needs to upgrade from a cloud-only Microsoft 365 business plan to a subscription that includes desktop versions of Office applications.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Business
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Changing a Microsoft 365 business subscription tier to obtain desktop application access.
- Observed behavior
- The current Microsoft 365 subscription only offers cloud-based web apps, requiring a direct plan upgrade or a manual cancellation and repurchase to get desktop capabilities.
Before attempting to change or cancel your subscription, ensure you have global admin or billing admin rights in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Perform a Direct Plan Upgrade
Check if your current Microsoft 365 plan supports a direct upgrade to a plan with desktop applications without needing to cancel.
Microsoft allows many business plans to be directly upgraded or changed through the admin center. This is the smoothest method as it automatically migrates your user data and billing information.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.
Go to the 'Billing' menu on the left sidebar and select 'Your products'.
Click on the cloud-only subscription you wish to change, then look for the 'Upgrade' or 'Change plan' button on the subscription details page.
Select a new plan that includes desktop Office applications (such as Microsoft 365 Business Standard) and follow the checkout prompts to finalize the change.
Cancel the Current Subscription and Purchase a New Plan
Use this method if a direct plan change is unavailable for your specific subscription tier.
Get Desktop Office Apps for Free with WPS Office
If you are using a cloud-only Microsoft 365 plan and do not want to pay expensive upgrade fees for desktop applications, WPS Office is the perfect alternative. It offers lightweight, feature-rich desktop apps for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint completely free of charge.
- 1. Download the Desktop Client: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free desktop application for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Microsoft Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without needing to convert them.
- 3. Edit and Save Seamlessly: Edit your documents locally on your desktop and save them in standard formats to ensure seamless sharing with Microsoft users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my business data if I cancel my Microsoft 365 subscription?
If you purchase the new plan and reassign the licenses to your users before canceling the old subscription, your data will remain intact. Always ensure the new licenses are active before terminating the old plan.
How do I know if I am eligible for a prorated refund from Microsoft?
Refund eligibility depends on your billing cycle and regional laws. Generally, if you cancel a monthly or annual subscription within a specific early window, you may receive a prorated refund. The exact amount is calculated and displayed during the cancellation process in the admin center.
Why is the 'Upgrade' button missing in my Microsoft 365 admin center?
The upgrade button may be unavailable if your account has an unpaid balance, if you purchased your subscription through a third-party vendor, or if your specific plan tier does not support a direct migration path.
