How to Replace Microsoft 365 with a One-Time Office Purchase
Question details
The user wants to switch from a recurring Microsoft 365 subscription to a perpetual, one-time purchase of Microsoft Office without losing access to core applications.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing office software licenses to avoid recurring subscription fees by purchasing a permanent license.
- Observed behavior
- A direct conversion from a subscription to a perpetual license is not supported by Microsoft; a separate standalone purchase must be made.
Verify your current Microsoft 365 subscription renewal date to avoid paying for another billing cycle, and ensure you download any critical files from OneDrive if you exceed the free 5GB limit.
Cancel Microsoft 365 and Purchase a Standalone License
Since a direct conversion is impossible, you must manually cancel your recurring subscription and purchase a one-time edition such as Office Home & Student.
Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service, while editions like Office Home & Student 2021 are perpetual (one-time) purchases.
Keep in mind that one-time purchases do not include ongoing feature updates, multi-device sharing, or the 1TB of cloud storage provided by Microsoft 365.
Navigate to the Microsoft Account dashboard online and sign in with the credentials tied to your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Click on 'Services & subscriptions' at the top of the page. Locate your active Microsoft 365 plan, click 'Manage', and select 'Cancel subscription' or 'Turn off recurring billing'.
Go to the official Microsoft Store and search for 'Office Home & Student 2021' or another supported perpetual license. Add it to your cart and complete the checkout process.
Uninstall your existing Microsoft 365 applications from your device. Then, download the newly purchased standalone Office installer from your Microsoft account and follow the setup prompts.
Avoid High Upfront Costs with WPS Office
If you want to stop paying recurring subscription fees but find the upfront cost of a one-time Microsoft Office license too high, WPS Office is the perfect alternative. It delivers a full-featured, lightweight office suite without the mandatory subscription.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the application.
- 3. Set as default: During or after installation, choose to set WPS Office as the default app for opening Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 4. Start working instantly: Open your existing documents in WPS Office and continue working without worrying about activation keys or subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my Microsoft 365 apps installed when switching to a one-time purchase?
It is highly recommended to uninstall the Microsoft 365 applications before installing a one-time purchase like Office 2021. Keeping both can cause license conflict issues and cause the applications to prompt you for a subscription renewal.
Does a one-time Office purchase include feature updates?
No. One-time purchases, such as Office Home & Student, receive standard security patches and bug fixes but do not receive the new feature updates and enhancements that are continuously added to Microsoft 365.
Can I install my one-time Office license on multiple computers?
Unlike Microsoft 365, which allows you to install Office on multiple devices simultaneously, a one-time perpetual license is strictly tied to a single PC or Mac.
Will I lose my local files if I cancel my Microsoft 365 subscription?
No, your locally saved documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will remain on your hard drive and can be opened by any compatible software, including one-time Office versions or free alternatives like WPS Office.
