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Why You Are Charged for Microsoft 365 Personal Separately
Question details
The user is seeking to understand why they are receiving a separate monthly charge for Microsoft 365 Personal when their basic Microsoft account is free.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing bank statements and noticing an unexpected or separate monthly subscription fee for Microsoft services.
- Observed behavior
- A monthly charge (often around $9.99) appears for Microsoft 365 Personal, which may stem from a converted free trial or a separately purchased subscription plan.
Ensure you have the email address and password for the Microsoft account associated with the bank card or payment method being charged.
Review and Manage Your Microsoft Subscriptions
Log into your Microsoft account's services page to identify exactly what the charge is for and manage your recurring billing settings.
While a standard Microsoft account is completely free, Microsoft 365 Personal is a premium paid subscription. It provides desktop versions of Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage.
Monthly charges often occur if a free trial automatically converts to a paid subscription after the trial period ends, or if a separate personal plan was accidentally activated.
Open your web browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/services.
Enter the credentials for the Microsoft account that is linked to the billing charge.
Scroll to the 'Subscriptions' section to view all active plans, including Microsoft 365 Personal.
If you no longer want the service, click on 'Manage' next to the subscription and select 'Turn off recurring billing' or 'Cancel subscription'.
Contact Microsoft Support for Unlisted Charges
Use this solution if you have checked all your known Microsoft accounts and still cannot locate the source of the subscription charge.
Avoid Monthly Subscription Fees with WPS Office
If you are tired of recurring monthly charges for Microsoft 365 Personal, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, free alternative to Microsoft Office, giving you access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives without the mandatory subscription fees.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your device.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open any of your existing Microsoft Office documents without losing formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get charged $9.99 from Microsoft?
A $9.99 monthly charge is typically the standard rate for a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription. This plan includes premium features like installable desktop Office apps and 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
Can I get a refund if I forgot to cancel my Microsoft 365 free trial?
Microsoft may offer a prorated refund if you cancel your subscription shortly after the free trial converts to a paid plan. You can request this by navigating to your subscription management page at account.microsoft.com/services and selecting 'Cancel subscription'.
Is having a Microsoft account completely free?
Yes, creating and maintaining a basic Microsoft account is completely free. You are only charged if you explicitly sign up for premium services or subscriptions, such as Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, or extra OneDrive storage.
