License & Subscription Issues

How to Manage Microsoft 365 Licenses Without a Partner

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

An organization wants to take direct control of Microsoft 365 licensing and billing instead of relying on a partner.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Transitioning Microsoft 365 billing and licensing from a third-party partner to direct organizational management.
Observed behavior: The organization needs the proper procedures for retaining their existing tenant versus creating a new one when assuming direct billing control.

Before you start

Ensure you have Global Administrator privileges in the Microsoft 365 admin center before attempting to modify partner relationships or billing settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Retain Existing Tenant and Remove Partner Relationship

This is the most efficient method as it allows you to take over billing without needing to perform a complex email or data migration.

If you are satisfied with your current Microsoft 365 environment, you do not need to create a new tenant. You can simply severe the partner link and purchase licenses directly from Microsoft.

Log into Admin Center

Navigate to Partner Relationships

Go to 'Settings' in the left-hand navigation menu, then select 'Partner relationships'.

Remove the Partner

Select the partner you wish to remove from the list, and click on 'Remove roles' or 'Remove partner' to revoke their access.

Purchase Direct Licenses

Navigate to 'Billing' > 'Purchase services' to buy the required licenses directly from Microsoft, then go to 'Billing' > 'Your products' to ensure they are properly assigned to your users before the partner licenses expire.

No Downtime: By retaining your existing tenant and swapping the licenses smoothly, your end-users will experience zero downtime and no data migration is required.

Solution 2

Create a New Tenant and Migrate Data

Use this method if you cannot salvage the existing tenant or specifically wish to start fresh with a brand new Microsoft 365 environment.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Experience

If managing Microsoft 365 licenses, billing, and tenant migrations becomes too complex or costly for your organization, consider WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for all your document needs without the administrative overhead.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and immediately start editing your existing Microsoft Office files with ease.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Free and lightweight, requiring no complex tenant or partner management.Familiar user interface ensuring seamless adoption for your entire team.All-in-one suite combining Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and advanced PDF tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data if I remove a Microsoft 365 partner?

No. As long as you retain the existing tenant and purchase replacement licenses directly from Microsoft before the partner-provided licenses are cancelled, your data and configurations will remain intact.

Can I manage Microsoft 365 billing without Global Admin rights?

No, managing partner relationships and direct billing requires either Global Administrator or Billing Administrator privileges within the Microsoft 365 tenant.

How do I contact Microsoft support during a tenant migration?

You can open a support ticket directly from the Microsoft 365 admin center by clicking on the 'Help & support' headset icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Will my users experience downtime during this transition?

If you stay on the same tenant and assign new direct licenses before the old ones expire, there is no downtime. However, moving to a completely new tenant will involve scheduled migration downtime.

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