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How to Switch Microsoft 365 Personal to a Family Subscription
Question details
The user needs to transition a family member's device from an incorrect Microsoft 365 Personal account to a shared Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- PC and Mac
- Scenario
- Sharing a Microsoft 365 Family subscription and activating it on a device previously logged into a Personal account.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to associate the Office installation with the correct Microsoft account and apply the Family license without having to fully uninstall and reinstall the software.
Ensure that the family member receiving the subscription has their own separate Microsoft account and has successfully accepted the Microsoft 365 Family sharing email invitation.
Switch Microsoft 365 License via Office Account Settings
The most efficient way to change your subscription type without uninstalling Office is by using the 'Switch License' feature directly within an Office app.
A Microsoft 365 Personal subscription can be installed on multiple devices, but only five devices can be signed in at the same time. The subscription is strictly associated with one Microsoft account.
You do not need to remove Office from the computer. Instead, you can simply associate the existing Office installation with the correct Microsoft account.
Launch Microsoft Word or Excel on the PC or Mac where you want to switch the license.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the application window and select 'Account' (or 'Office Account') from the bottom left menu.
Click 'Manage Account' and ensure you are signed in with the correct Microsoft account belonging to the family member who accepted the Family subscription invitation.
Click the 'Switch License' button. Follow the on-screen prompts and select the Microsoft 365 Family license to apply it to the device.
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Dealing with subscription tiers, account limits, and license switching can be frustrating. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative with full compatibility for your Microsoft Office files, requiring no complex family sharing steps.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
- 3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Office files without worrying about account licensing restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall Microsoft 365 Personal before switching to Family?
No, you do not need to uninstall or reinstall the Office applications. You can simply switch the license through the 'Account' settings inside any Office app like Word or Excel.
How many devices can I sign into with a Microsoft 365 Family subscription?
With a Microsoft 365 Family subscription, each person sharing the subscription can install Office on multiple devices and be signed in on up to 5 devices at the same time.
Why is the Switch License button missing in my Office app?
The Switch License button might not appear if your Office apps are not updated, or if you are using an older perpetual license version of Office. Ensure you have installed the latest Microsoft 365 updates by going to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
How do I share my Microsoft 365 Family subscription?
You can share your Family subscription by logging into your Microsoft account dashboard, navigating to the 'Sharing' tab, and sending an invitation link via email to the separate Microsoft accounts of up to 5 other people.
