License & Subscription Issues

How to Set Up Microsoft 365 Training Tenants Without Personal Cards

Adam Davis Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

Instructors need to create multiple Microsoft 365 evaluation or training tenants without asking trainees to input personal payment cards or phone numbers.

How to Set Up Microsoft 365 Training Tenants Without Personal Cards

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up evaluation environments for IT or software training classes.
Observed behavior: Standard Microsoft 365 trial subscriptions require personal payment methods and phone verification, creating accessibility barriers for trainees.

Before you start

Verify that your organization qualifies for developer or educational programs, as Microsoft imposes strict security limits to prevent abuse of free tenant creation.

Solution 1Recommended

Utilize the Microsoft 365 Developer Program for an E5 Tenant

The Developer Program provides a free E5 subscription designed for testing and development, bypassing the standard consumer credit card requirement.

While primarily intended for application development, this program offers a 90-day renewable E5 tenant that can be useful for specific technical training scenarios.

Note that phone verification is still required for the instructor setting up the main tenant, but individual trainees will not need to provide payment details when added as users.

Access the Developer Portal

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Developer Program portal in your web browser.

Join the Program

Click 'Join Now' and sign in with your primary Microsoft account.

Configure Preferences

Fill in your region, company name, and language preferences in the setup wizard.

Verify and Provision

Select your primary focus (e.g., internal use or personal projects) and complete the mandatory phone verification step to provision your E5 developer tenant.

Utilize the Microsoft 365 Developer Program for an E5 Tenant

Verification Errors: If you encounter verification errors like '40904', Microsoft's security filters may have flagged the setup. You will need to contact Microsoft Support directly to clear the restriction.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Billing Support for Educational Licensing

If the Developer Program does not fit your general training needs, Microsoft Support can advise on dedicated educational or volume evaluation subscriptions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Training Without Subscription Hurdles

If managing Microsoft 365 tenants and subscriptions for trainees becomes too complex, consider WPS Office. It provides a robust, free alternative for teaching essential productivity skills without requiring credit cards, phone verifications, or complex tenant setups.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer on the training machines. The process takes only a few minutes.
3. Start Training Immediately: Launch WPS Office to instantly access Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation tools without mandatory account logins or payment walls.

Completely free basic version with no credit card required for setup.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation suitable for varied trainee hardware and older operating systems.Familiar user interface minimizes the learning curve for trainees transitioning from other software.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft 365 ask for a credit card for a free trial?

Microsoft requires a payment method to verify user identity, prevent fraudulent account creation, and ensure a seamless transition to a paid subscription once the trial period ends.

Can I bypass the phone verification step for Microsoft 365 developer tenants?

No, phone verification is a mandatory security measure implemented by Microsoft to prevent automated bots from generating spam accounts.

Is the Microsoft 365 Developer E5 tenant permanently free?

It is free for an initial 90 days. The subscription will automatically renew if Microsoft's telemetry detects active development or configuration activity on the tenant.

What should I do if I get error 40904 during phone verification?

Error 40904 typically indicates a security block triggered by the system. You must contact Microsoft Support through the admin center to manually verify your identity and clear the restriction.

Login & Account Issues