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How to Change a Microsoft 365 License from A1 to A3
Question details
The user needs to upgrade or change their assigned Microsoft 365 account license from the A1 tier to the A3 tier.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The organization has requested an upgrade from an A1 to an A3 license for the user's account.
- Observed behavior
- Signing out of a personal Microsoft 365 account and signing back in with the company credentials does not successfully change or update the assigned organizational license.
Verify your current Microsoft 365 subscription status online and ensure you know who your organization's IT administrator is, as their intervention is strictly required for this process.
Request a License Reassignment from Your IT Administrator
Since A1 and A3 are organizational licenses, only an authorized Microsoft 365 administrator can manage and assign them to your account.
Individual users and community moderators do not have the administrative privileges required to modify enterprise or educational licenses. Simply signing out and back into the Office applications will only refresh your current license state, not upgrade it.
Reach out to your school or company's IT support department and request that they remove your current A1 license and assign the new A3 license to your user profile via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Once the administrator confirms the change, wait a few minutes for the new licensing permissions to sync across Microsoft's servers.
Open any Microsoft 365 desktop application (like Word or Excel), click on 'File', select 'Account' from the bottom left menu, and click the 'Sign out' button.
Restart the application, click 'Sign In', and enter your organizational email and password. The software will detect the new A3 license and unlock the premium desktop features.
Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative to Microsoft 365
If you are waiting for your IT department to assign your A3 license and need to edit documents immediately, WPS Office is an excellent solution. It is a completely free, highly compatible office suite that does not require complex enterprise licensing.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the brief on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open your files instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without worrying about license restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Microsoft 365 A1 and A3 licenses?
Microsoft 365 A1 is a basic, free version for educational institutions that only provides access to the web-based versions of Office apps. The A3 license includes the full, installable desktop applications along with advanced security and management features.
Why didn't my license upgrade after signing in with my company email?
Simply authenticating with a company or school account does not change your subscription tier. The specific license (such as A3) must be explicitly assigned to your user profile by the organization's administrator before the desktop apps will recognize the upgrade.
Can I purchase an A3 license for myself to bypass the administrator?
No. A1 and A3 are organizational licenses designed exclusively for educational institutions and enterprises. Individual users cannot purchase these specific volume-licensing tiers directly; they must be provisioned by your organization.
How can I check which Microsoft 365 license I currently have?
Sign in to the Microsoft 365 portal in your web browser, click on your profile picture in the top right corner, select 'View account', and then navigate to the 'Subscriptions' page from the left-hand menu to view your active licenses.
