License & Subscription Issues

How to Cancel Microsoft 365 and Use Free Word & Excel Online

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to stop paying for their Microsoft 365 subscription invoice and transition to using free tools for their personal Word and Excel tasks.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing software subscriptions and seeking free alternatives for personal document editing.
Observed behavior: The user is currently being billed for Microsoft 365 but wishes to cancel the invoice and continue using essential Office tools without ongoing subscription fees.

Before you start

Before canceling your Microsoft 365 subscription, make sure to back up any files stored in OneDrive locally to your computer, as your cloud storage limit will be reduced to the free tier (5GB) after cancellation.

Solution 1Recommended

Cancel Microsoft 365 via Your Microsoft Account

The most direct way to stop recurring payments is by managing your subscription settings online through the Microsoft Services portal.

Canceling online stops future invoices. Depending on when you cancel relative to your billing cycle, your service may either end immediately with a prorated refund, or remain active until the end of your billing period.

Sign in to your Microsoft Account

Go to account.microsoft.com and log in with the email address associated with your paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

Navigate to Services & subscriptions

Click on the 'Services & subscriptions' tab at the top of the dashboard to view a list of your active Microsoft plans.

Manage your subscription

Locate your Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription in the list and click 'Manage' next to it.

Cancel or turn off recurring billing

Click 'Cancel subscription' or 'Turn off recurring billing'. Follow the on-screen confirmation prompts to finalize the cancellation and stop future invoices.

Refund Eligibility: Check Microsoft's refund policy during the cancellation steps. If you purchased an annual subscription recently, you may be eligible for a prorated refund upon immediate cancellation.

Solution 2

Access Free Word and Excel on the Web

Once your paid subscription ends, you can still create and edit documents using Microsoft's free, browser-based versions of Word and Excel.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Word and Excel Files Offline for Free with WPS Office

If you are canceling Microsoft 365 to avoid subscription fees but still want robust desktop software, WPS Office is the perfect alternative. It is free to use, highly lightweight, and provides a familiar interface so you can continue editing your Word and Excel files without a steep learning curve.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer for your Windows or Mac computer.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup wizard to install the suite, which includes Writer (Word), Spreadsheets (Excel), and Presentation tools.
3. Open Your Existing Documents: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select your existing Microsoft Word or Excel files to continue working on them immediately.

Completely free to use for daily personal document tasks without recurring subscription invoices.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, allowing you to seamlessly open and save .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files.Fully functional desktop applications, meaning you do not need an active internet connection to edit files like you do with Office on the Web.Familiar, easy-to-use interface that requires little to no retraining to navigate.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I cancel my Microsoft 365 subscription?

No, canceling your subscription does not delete files saved locally on your computer. However, your OneDrive cloud storage limit will automatically be reduced from 1TB down to the free tier of 5GB. If you have more than 5GB stored in OneDrive, you should download and back up those files to your computer before canceling.

Can I still view my Word and Excel files after my subscription expires?

Yes. Once your subscription expires, the desktop Office applications will switch to view-only mode (also known as reduced functionality mode). You will still be able to read and print your existing files, but you will not be able to edit them or create new ones unless you use a free web alternative or a different free office suite.

Is there a desktop alternative to Microsoft 365 that is completely free?

Yes, if you prefer working offline rather than using a web browser, free Office suites like WPS Office provide installable desktop applications. They offer high compatibility with standard Microsoft formats, allowing you to edit Word and Excel files on your computer without a paid subscription.

How do I stop Microsoft from automatically charging my credit card next year?

To stop future automated charges, you must turn off recurring billing. Go to the 'Services & subscriptions' page in your Microsoft account, find your active plan, select 'Manage', and toggle off the recurring billing option. Your subscription will remain active until its current paid expiration date, but it will not renew.

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