License & Subscription Issues

How to Change Microsoft 365 Partners and Manage Licensing In-House

Phi Hung Vo Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to switch their Microsoft 365 partner, remove a previous IT provider's reseller access, and manage licensing internally.

How to Change Microsoft 365 Partners and Manage Licensing In-House

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A business organization is transitioning away from an old IT provider who is no longer a Microsoft partner and needs to establish a new relationship or manage licenses directly without service interruption.
Observed behavior: The organization needs to understand billing obligations, completely remove old reseller access privileges from the admin center, and establish new partner connections for uninterrupted support.

Before you start

Ensure you have Global Administrator credentials for your Microsoft 365 tenant and review your current billing terms and commitment periods with your existing IT provider before making any changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Connect with a New Microsoft 365 Partner and Remove Old Resellers

Use the Microsoft 365 admin center and Microsoft solution provider directory to establish a new partner relationship and revoke access from your previous IT provider.

A new Microsoft partner can assist with reviewing your tenant's licensing and transferring administrative functions. To ensure security, you must manually remove the previous partner's administrative rights from your environment.

Find a new partner

Navigate to the Microsoft Solution Provider directory online to locate a certified Microsoft partner in your region.

Establish the new relationship

Contact the new partner to begin a relationship. They will provide a specific authorization link to grant them administrative privileges in your tenant.

Access Partner settings

Remove the old partner

Select the previous IT provider from the list of resellers and click the Remove option to revoke their administrative access.

Request manual removal if blocked

If the Delete option is unavailable, contact the old reseller and ask them to remove the relationship from their own Microsoft Partner Center portal.

Connect with a New Microsoft 365 Partner and Remove Old Resellers

Billing Obligations: Removing a reseller relationship revokes administrative access but does not automatically cancel your existing billing obligations. Always confirm subscription and cancellation terms before switching.

Solution 2

Open a Service Request with Microsoft Support

If you are unable to remove an old partner or need licensing assistance, you can open a direct support ticket with Microsoft.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Reduce Licensing Headaches with WPS Office

If managing expensive Microsoft 365 licenses and complex partner relationships is becoming a burden for your business, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and cost-effective productivity suite without complicated enterprise licensing structures.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the client for your operating system.
2. Install and sign in: Run the installer, complete the setup, and sign in with your business email to manage your account seamlessly.
3. Open existing documents: Open your existing Microsoft Office files directly in WPS Office with full formatting and data retention.

Avoid complex reseller portals and manage your business software with straightforward, transparent licensing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Cost-effective solution suitable for businesses of all sizes, reducing overhead.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for a seamless employee migration.All-in-one suite combining document, spreadsheet, presentation, and PDF editing tools.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can basic-license Microsoft 365 customers receive direct Microsoft support?

Yes, basic-license customers can receive direct support from Microsoft. You can do this by creating a service request within the Microsoft 365 admin center or by calling Microsoft's global customer service phone numbers.

Why can't I remove the old reseller relationship in the Microsoft 365 admin center?

If the delete option for a partner is grayed out or unavailable, it is likely restricted by the specific partner agreement or the way the license was provisioned. You must contact the reseller and request that they manually remove the relationship from their Microsoft Partner Center dashboard.

Does removing a Microsoft partner cancel my subscription?

No. Removing a partner relationship only revokes their delegated administrative privileges over your Microsoft 365 tenant. It does not automatically cancel your subscription or eliminate any billing obligations tied to your current commitment period.

Login & Account Issues