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How to Use Microsoft 365 on Six Computers: Personal vs Premium
Question details
A single user wants to install and use Microsoft 365 across six different computers while determining if Microsoft 365 Personal is sufficient or if a Premium upgrade is necessary to avoid unnecessary costs.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deciding between Microsoft 365 Personal and Premium plans to support installations on six computers for one user.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unsure how the five-device limit applies to their six computers and whether they need to purchase a more expensive business or family premium plan.
Log in to your Microsoft Account portal to check your active subscriptions and review the number of devices currently signed in to your account.
Use Microsoft 365 Personal and Manage Device Sign-ins
Microsoft 365 Personal allows installation on multiple devices but limits simultaneous sign-ins to five. If you only use one computer at a time, you can manually manage your active sessions without paying for an upgrade.
Microsoft 365 Personal allows you to install the apps on as many devices as you want, but you can only be actively signed in on five devices at the same time.
Since you are a single user and will likely only use one or two computers simultaneously, there is no need to pay for a Premium or Family upgrade. You simply need to sign out of one of your unused computers to free up a slot for the sixth device.
Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Account page. Log in with the email address associated with your Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.
Click on 'Services & subscriptions' in the top menu, then locate your Microsoft 365 Personal subscription and click on 'Manage'.
Scroll down to the 'Devices' section where it lists the computers currently signed in. If there are five devices listed, locate an older or unused computer and click 'Sign out' next to it.
Open any Microsoft Office app (like Word or Excel) on your sixth computer and sign in with your account credentials. The activation will now be successful.
Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Family for Additional Accounts
If you absolutely must remain signed in on more than five devices simultaneously, upgrading to Microsoft 365 Family (sometimes referred to as a premium personal plan) allows you to share the license with a secondary account.
Use WPS Office on Multiple Devices for Free
If Microsoft 365 device limits are too restrictive or you want to avoid managing active sign-ins across your six computers, WPS Office provides a highly compatible, cost-effective alternative. One account seamlessly syncs your documents across all your devices without forcing expensive subscription upgrades.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install on Your Computers: Run the lightweight installer on any of your six computers. The process takes only a few minutes.
- 3. Sign In and Sync: Create a free WPS account to instantly sync your documents and preferences across all your active devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install Microsoft 365 Personal on 6 computers?
Yes, Microsoft allows you to install the Office apps on as many devices as you like. However, the Microsoft 365 Personal license limits you to being signed in on up to five devices at the same time.
Is Microsoft 365 Business Premium suitable for personal use?
No. Microsoft 365 Business Premium is designed for commercial environments. It requires a business email address (such as a custom domain or an onmicrosoft.com address) and cannot be linked to your personal Microsoft account.
How do I sign out of Microsoft 365 on a computer I don't have access to?
You can sign out remotely by logging into your Microsoft Account online, navigating to 'Services & subscriptions', selecting 'Manage' on your Microsoft 365 plan, and clicking 'Sign out' next to the specific device in the Devices list.
Does Microsoft 365 Family increase the device limit for one user?
Each individual user on a Microsoft 365 Family plan is still limited to five simultaneous device sign-ins. However, since the plan supports up to six different users, you can bypass this by sharing the subscription with a secondary email account of yours and signing in with that account on your extra computers.
