License & Subscription Issues

How to Switch from Microsoft 365 Personal to Basic and Request a Refund

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to downgrade their subscription from Microsoft 365 Personal to Microsoft 365 Basic and receive a refund for the unused period of their Personal plan.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Downgrading a Microsoft 365 subscription plan to save money or reduce features.
Observed behavior: The transition requires canceling the current higher-tier plan, verifying refund eligibility with support, and independently purchasing the lower-tier Basic plan.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials and order details ready before contacting support or modifying your active subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Downgrade and Request Refund via Microsoft Account

Follow these steps to check your refund eligibility, cancel your Personal plan, and switch to Microsoft 365 Basic.

Microsoft 365 Personal has more features and storage than Microsoft 365 Basic. Because there is no direct 'downgrade' button, you must manually cancel your current plan, obtain a refund, and buy the new plan.

Log in to your Microsoft Account

Navigate to the Microsoft account website and sign in with the email address associated with your Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.

Navigate to Services & Subscriptions

Click on the 'Services & subscriptions' tab at the top of the page to view a list of your active Microsoft services.

Manage your Personal Subscription

Locate your Microsoft 365 Personal plan and click 'Manage'. Look for the option to 'Cancel subscription'.

Check Refund Eligibility

During the cancellation process, Microsoft will display if you are eligible for an immediate prorated refund. If a refund is not automatically offered, stop the cancellation process to avoid losing your remaining time without compensation.

Contact Microsoft Support

If a refund is not automatically processed, reach out to Microsoft Billing Support via their official contact page to manually verify your refund eligibility and plan-change options.

Purchase Microsoft 365 Basic

Once the Personal plan is successfully canceled and the refund is confirmed by support, navigate to the Microsoft Store to purchase the new Microsoft 365 Basic plan.

Standard Refund Policy: Refunds are typically only available if you cancel an annual subscription within the first 30 days of purchase, or a monthly subscription within 30 days of its last renewal.

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Switch to WPS Office to Save on Subscription Costs

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a prorated refund if I cancel Microsoft 365 Personal halfway through the year?

Prorated refunds are generally not granted for Microsoft 365 unless explicitly required by local law. Typically, refunds are only issued if the subscription is canceled within 30 days of the initial purchase or renewal. You must contact Microsoft Support to request exceptions.

What happens to my OneDrive storage when I downgrade to Microsoft 365 Basic?

Microsoft 365 Personal includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage, while Basic only provides 100 GB. If your stored data exceeds 100 GB when you downgrade, your OneDrive will become frozen until you delete files to get below the new limit or purchase additional storage.

Do I lose access to desktop apps if I switch to the Basic plan?

Yes. Microsoft 365 Basic only provides access to the web-based and mobile versions of Office applications. You will lose the ability to install and use the premium desktop applications for Windows and Mac.

How long does it take for a Microsoft subscription refund to process?

Once a refund is approved and processed by Microsoft Support, it typically takes 3 to 5 business days for the funds to appear back in your original payment method.

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