License & Subscription Issues

Office 365 A1 and Microsoft 365 Apps License Compatibility Explained

Olivia Miller Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to understand whether combining Office 365 A1 for Education and Microsoft 365 Apps for Faculty licenses can effectively replace the deprecated A1 Plus services.

Office 365 A1 and Microsoft 365 Apps License Compatibility

Product: Microsoft 365 Education
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Administrators are trying to replace retiring A1 Plus licenses by mapping users to alternative web and desktop application entitlements without losing functionality.
Observed behavior: Users are seeking clarification on whether assigning both an A1 license and a Microsoft 365 Apps license to a single account will restore full desktop and web application access.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center with Global Administrator or License Administrator privileges to view and modify user assignments.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign Both Licenses to Bridge Web and Desktop Access

Combine Office 365 A1 and Microsoft 365 Apps on the same user account to provide comprehensive access to both online services and installable desktop apps.

Because Office 365 A1 only provides web-based versions of Office applications, users will lose the ability to install software locally if transitioning from A1 Plus. However, Microsoft 365 Apps provides these desktop installations. Fortunately, Microsoft allows you to assign both licenses to a single user account simultaneously.

Access the Admin Center

Go to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and log in using your administrator credentials.

Navigate to Active Users

In the left-hand navigation menu, click on 'Users' and then select 'Active users'.

Select the Target User

Search for and click on the specific faculty member's name to open their account properties panel.

Modify Licenses

Click on the 'Licenses and apps' tab. Check the boxes next to both 'Office 365 A1' and 'Microsoft 365 Apps for Faculty', then click 'Save changes'.

Assign Both Licenses to Bridge Web and Desktop Access

Service Parity Warning: While this method restores desktop application access, it may not perfectly mirror backend services (like Exchange mailbox quotas, SharePoint storage, or advanced Teams features) previously included in A1 Plus.

Solution 2

Verify Specific Entitlements with Microsoft Licensing

Audit your current usage and confirm missing service tiers directly with Microsoft before completing your licensing migration.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Simplify Licensing with WPS Office for Education

Managing complex Microsoft 365 license tiers and bridging feature gaps can be time-consuming for IT administrators. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and incredibly powerful alternative that provides desktop office applications without the headache of managing web vs. desktop licenses.

1. Visit the WPS Website: Navigate to the official WPS Office website to find the free download link.
2. Download the Installer: Click on 'Free Download' to get the lightweight installation file for Windows, Mac, or Linux.
3. Install and Edit: Run the installer, open WPS Office, and immediately start editing your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsNo complex license assignments needed for essential desktop document editingLightweight application that runs smoothly on older school hardwareFamiliar tabbed interface requiring almost zero learning curve for faculty and students

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I assign both Office 365 A1 and Microsoft 365 Apps to the same user account?

Yes, Microsoft allows both of these licenses to be assigned to the same user concurrently. This ensures the user gets access to web-based services from A1 and desktop installations from Microsoft 365 Apps.

Does combining A1 and Microsoft 365 Apps perfectly replace A1 Plus?

Not necessarily. While it restores the combination of web and desktop office applications, some backend cloud services (like specific Exchange limits or Teams functionalities) may differ from what was included in the legacy A1 Plus subscription.

What happens if a faculty member only has the Office 365 A1 license?

If a user is only assigned the Office 365 A1 license, they will not be able to download and install the desktop versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. They will be restricted to using the web-based versions of these applications via their browser.

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