License & Subscription Issues

How to Get 1 TB OneDrive Storage Without Installing Microsoft Office

Phi Hung Vo Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to upgrade from a 100 GB OneDrive plan to 1 TB of personal cloud storage without purchasing or installing Microsoft Office applications.

How to Get 1 TB of Personal OneDrive Storage Without Installing Office

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Upgrading personal cloud storage capacity to 1 TB without needing or using the bundled Microsoft Office software.
Observed behavior: The user cannot find a standalone 1 TB personal OneDrive plan, as Microsoft only visibly offers up to 100 GB as a standalone cloud storage tier.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft account storage usage to confirm you need the 1 TB upgrade, and ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Subscribe to Microsoft 365 and Skip App Installation

Since Microsoft does not offer a standalone 1 TB OneDrive plan, you must purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription but can simply choose not to install the Office applications.

Microsoft bundles its 1 TB cloud storage exclusively with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions. While the subscription includes the rights to use Office apps, installation is entirely optional. You have complete freedom to only utilize the OneDrive storage component for your files.

Visit the Microsoft storage upgrade page

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft OneDrive plans and pricing page.

Select a Microsoft 365 plan

Choose either the 'Microsoft 365 Personal' plan (which includes 1 TB for one person) or the 'Microsoft 365 Family' plan (which includes 1 TB per person for up to 6 people) and click 'Buy now'.

Complete the purchase

Sign in with your Microsoft account and follow the on-screen prompts to enter your payment details and finalize the subscription.

Access your storage without installing Office

Once subscribed, simply use the OneDrive web interface or download the standalone OneDrive sync client for your computer or mobile device. Ignore any prompts or buttons in your Microsoft dashboard that say 'Install Office'.

No Standalone Plan Available: Microsoft currently does not offer a 1 TB OneDrive-only subscription for personal accounts. The 100 GB plan is the maximum standalone storage available without upgrading to the Microsoft 365 bundle.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Need to Open Files in Your 1TB OneDrive? Try WPS Office

If you are avoiding Microsoft Office because of its heavy system footprint or complex interface, WPS Office is the perfect free and lightweight alternative. It seamlessly connects to your newly expanded OneDrive storage, allowing you to view and edit documents without installing bloated software.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, follow the brief setup instructions, and open the WPS Office dashboard.
3. Connect Your OneDrive: Navigate to the 'Cloud' or 'Open' tab, select 'Add Cloud Storage', and sign in with your Microsoft credentials to seamlessly access your 1 TB storage.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation saves valuable local hard drive space.Built-in cloud integration to easily open and save files directly to your 1 TB OneDrive.Free to use with a familiar, tabbed all-in-one workspace.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy 1 TB of OneDrive storage by itself for personal use?

No. For personal accounts, Microsoft only offers up to 100 GB as a standalone OneDrive subscription. To get 1 TB of storage, you must subscribe to a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan, even if you do not plan to use the included Office apps.

Will purchasing Microsoft 365 automatically install Word and Excel on my computer?

No. Purchasing the subscription simply adds the license and 1 TB storage to your account. You must manually click the 'Install Office' button in your Microsoft account dashboard to download Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you only use the web version or the standalone OneDrive sync client, the Office desktop apps will not be installed.

Can I share the 1 TB storage with others without forcing them to install Office?

Yes. If you purchase the Microsoft 365 Family plan, you can share the subscription with up to 5 other people. Each invited member receives their own private 1 TB of OneDrive storage, and they also have the choice to use the storage without ever installing the Office desktop applications.

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