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How to Restore an Expired Microsoft 365 Subscription
Question details
The user needs to know how to restore access to a Microsoft 365 subscription after it expires, or determine if their non-working software is actually an unsupported lifetime license.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to regain access to Microsoft Office applications after the software prompts that the license or subscription is no longer active.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unable to create or edit documents because the Microsoft Office applications state the subscription is expired or the installed perpetual license is incompatible with the current operating system.
Before attempting to restore your subscription, ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account originally used to purchase or activate the software.
Verify Your License Type and Account History
Use this solution to confirm whether you previously purchased a recurring Microsoft 365 subscription or a one-time perpetual license (such as Office 2016 or 2019).
Microsoft 365 does not offer lifetime subscriptions. If you believed you had a lifetime subscription, it is highly likely you purchased a one-time perpetual license, which does not receive feature updates and may lose compatibility with newer operating systems over time.
Open a web browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/services. Log in using the email address and password associated with your Microsoft software.
On the 'Services & subscriptions' page, look for Microsoft 365 or standalone Office purchases under your active or canceled products. This will confirm exactly what type of license you own.
If you are on a Mac, open the Microsoft Word application. Click on 'Word' in the top menu bar, then select 'About Microsoft Word'. This dialog box will display the specific edition and license type currently installed on your computer.
Renew Your Subscription or Purchase a New License
Use this solution if you have confirmed that your subscription has expired or your older standalone software is no longer compatible with your system.
Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative to Expired Microsoft 365
If your Microsoft 365 subscription has expired and you do not wish to pay for a costly renewal or a new license upgrade, WPS Office provides a powerful, free alternative. It features a familiar interface and allows you to seamlessly continue your work without recurring subscription fees.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the download button to get the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the brief on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open your existing files: Launch WPS Office and simply open or drag-and-drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into the workspace to continue editing them for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft 365 offer a lifetime subscription?
No, Microsoft 365 is strictly a subscription-based service billed on a monthly or annual basis. If you prefer a one-time purchase that never expires, you must buy a perpetual license, such as Office Home & Student 2021 or Office 2024.
Why did my one-time purchase of Office stop working on my Mac?
Older perpetual licenses, like Office 2016 for Mac, eventually reach their end-of-support date. As Apple releases newer versions of macOS, discontinued Office software may become partially or completely incompatible with the operating system.
Will I lose my files if my Microsoft 365 subscription expires?
No, your files will remain safe on your device and in OneDrive. However, if your OneDrive storage exceeds the free 5GB limit after your subscription expires, your account will become read-only. You will not be able to upload or edit files in the cloud until you free up space or renew.
