License & Subscription Issues

How to Create and Verify a Microsoft 365 E5 Trial Account

Phi Hung Vo Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to obtain a free Microsoft 365 E5 trial account and where to check the subscription and license status.

How to Create and Verify a Microsoft 365 E5 Trial Account

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a trial subscription for evaluation or backup purposes and needing to verify that the licenses are correctly assigned.
Observed behavior: The user wants instructions on completing the trial registration and navigating the Microsoft 365 admin center to confirm the billing and product status.

Before you start

Ensure you have a valid email address that is not already associated with an active Microsoft 365 enterprise subscription, as trial eligibility requires a new tenant or account.

Solution 1Recommended

Register and Verify the Microsoft 365 E5 Trial via Admin Center

Use the official Microsoft registration page to create your E5 trial account, then navigate through the admin center to confirm the subscription is active.

Microsoft offers a 30-day trial for its enterprise-level E5 plan. You can use this trial environment to test advanced security, analytics, and voice capabilities, or simply as a temporary backup workspace. Once created, all subscription and license details are managed centrally.

Visit the Registration Page

Go to the official Microsoft 365 E5 trial registration page. Fill in your contact details, verify your phone number, and set up your new business identity (.onmicrosoft.com domain).

Access the Admin Center

Once the account creation is successful, log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center (admin.microsoft.com) using your newly created admin credentials.

Navigate to Billing

In the left-hand navigation menu of the admin center, locate and click on 'Billing'. If you don't see it, click 'Show all' at the bottom of the menu first.

Verify Subscription and Licenses

Under the Billing section, click on 'Your products' to see your active Microsoft 365 E5 Trial subscription. Next, click on 'Licenses' to view how many E5 licenses are available and assign them to users as needed.

Register and Verify the Microsoft 365 E5 Trial via Admin Center

Trial Limitations: The standard Microsoft 365 E5 trial supports up to 25 user licenses and typically expires after 30 days unless you input payment information to convert it to a paid plan.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Free Alternative After Your Trial Expires?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Microsoft 365 E5 trial as a permanent backup account?

No. The standard trial lasts for 30 days. Once it expires, you will lose access to the services unless you upgrade to a paid subscription, so it is not suitable as a permanent backup.

Do I need to enter credit card details for the Microsoft 365 E5 trial?

Microsoft may require you to enter a credit card during registration to verify your identity. However, you will not be charged if you cancel the subscription before the 30-day trial period concludes.

How do I assign an E5 license to another user in my trial tenant?

Log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, go to Users > Active users, select the user you want to assign the license to, and check the 'Microsoft 365 E5' box under the Licenses and apps tab.

Is there a way to get a longer E5 trial?

Yes, if you join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program, you may be eligible for a free E5 developer subscription that lasts for 90 days and can automatically renew as long as you actively use it for development purposes.

Login & Account Issues