What is the Cost of Microsoft 365 Basic (Formerly Hotmail Premium)?
Question details
The user wants to know the current subscription cost for Hotmail Premium or its successor, Microsoft 365 Basic.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Basic
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Evaluating subscription plans for Microsoft's basic cloud storage and ad-free email services.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking current price information because the original Hotmail Premium service was discontinued and transitioned to Microsoft 365 Basic.
Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft account to view the specific pricing, taxes, and promotional offers available for your geographic region.
Reviewing Microsoft 365 Basic Pricing and Subscription Options
Understand the current cost of Microsoft 365 Basic and how to upgrade your plan.
Hotmail Premium has been officially discontinued. Microsoft has replaced it with Microsoft 365 Basic, which bundles 100 GB of OneDrive cloud storage, ad-free Outlook (including Hotmail) email, and access to technical support.
The pricing is structured as a low-cost, entry-level tier for users who need more than the free basic storage limit but do not require the full desktop Office applications.
In the United States, a Microsoft 365 Basic subscription costs $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year.
Go to the official Microsoft 365 website and navigate to the 'Compare OneDrive Plans' or 'Microsoft 365 Basic' pricing page.
Select the 'Microsoft 365 Basic' tier, choose either the monthly or annual billing cycle, and follow the on-screen prompts to check out using your Microsoft account.
Looking for a Free Office Suite Instead?
If you are evaluating software costs and need a robust office suite without the monthly or annual subscription fees, WPS Office is a fantastic, free alternative to Microsoft 365. It offers a lightweight, familiar interface with full compatibility for your essential documents.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and launch: Run the installer, follow the simple setup instructions, and launch WPS Office.
- 3. Open your files: Directly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files in WPS Office without losing any formatting or layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Hotmail Premium discontinued?
Microsoft consolidated its subscription services to offer a more unified user experience. Hotmail Premium was replaced by Microsoft 365 Basic, which provides ad-free email alongside 100 GB of OneDrive cloud storage under a single subscription.
Does Microsoft 365 Basic include desktop Office applications?
No, Microsoft 365 Basic only includes access to the web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To install full desktop applications, you would need to upgrade to a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan.
Do I get an ad-free Outlook inbox with Microsoft 365 Basic?
Yes. One of the primary benefits of Microsoft 365 Basic is an ad-free experience for Outlook.com, which covers users with @hotmail.com, @live.com, and @outlook.com email addresses.
