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How to Check If Your Microsoft Office License Supports Multiple Users
Question details
The user wants to find out if their current Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 license allows sharing the software with other users.
- Product
- Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Checking subscription and license details to see if Office can be shared with family or team members.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a clear method to identify their exact Office version and understand its multi-user sharing capabilities.
Ensure you have access to a desktop version of a Microsoft Office application (such as Word or Excel) and that you are logged into your Microsoft account.
Identify Your Office License Type in the Desktop App
Check your account information within any Office application to see if you have a multi-user subscription like Microsoft 365 Family.
Microsoft 365 Family is designed for multiple users, allowing you to share the subscription with up to 5 other people. Conversely, perpetual licenses such as Office 2016, 2019, and 2021, as well as the Microsoft 365 Personal plan, are restricted to a single user.
Launch any Microsoft Office application installed on your computer, such as Word or Excel.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the ribbon menu, then select 'Account' (or 'Office Account') from the bottom left pane.
Look under the 'Product Information' section on the right side of the screen. Identify the name of your license (e.g., Microsoft 365 Family, Microsoft 365 Personal, or Office 2021).
If your product is listed as 'Microsoft 365 Family', it supports multiple users. If it says 'Personal' or lists a specific year like 2019/2021, it is a single-user license.
Share Office Software Freely with WPS Office
If your current Microsoft Office license doesn't support multiple users and upgrading to a Family plan is too costly, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, free alternative that your entire household or team can download and use simultaneously without paying extra license fees.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installation file on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer and follow the on-screen prompts.
- 3. Log In and Sync: Create or log in to a free WPS account to enable document syncing and collaboration across all your devices.
- 4. Open Existing Documents: Simply double-click your existing Microsoft Office files to open and edit them directly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription with another user?
No, Microsoft 365 Personal is restricted to a single user. To share Office applications with others, you need to upgrade to the Microsoft 365 Family plan, which supports up to 6 people.
Can I install Office 2021 on multiple computers?
Office 2021, like Office 2019 and 2016, is a one-time purchase licensed for a single computer. You cannot install it on multiple devices simultaneously or share it with other users.
How do I invite someone to share my Microsoft 365 Family subscription?
Log in to your Microsoft account online, navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' page, locate your Microsoft 365 Family subscription, click on 'Sharing', and use the 'Invite' button to send an email invitation.
