License & Subscription Issues

Will Microsoft 365 Bill You After a Free Trial Ends? How to Stop It

Phi Hung Vo Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is concerned about automatic charges kicking in after their Microsoft 365 free trial expires and wants to know how to prevent unwanted billing.

Will Microsoft 365 Automatically Bill You After a Trial Ends?

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing a trial subscription to prevent automatic renewal and future charges.
Observed behavior: If recurring billing is left enabled, Microsoft automatically attempts to charge the payment method on file on the renewal date. A declined payment does not automatically cancel the subscription.

Before you start

Make sure you have the login credentials (email and password) for the Microsoft account you used to originally sign up for the free trial.

Solution 1Recommended

Turn Off Recurring Billing in Your Microsoft Account

Disable the auto-renew feature in your subscription settings to ensure your Microsoft 365 access simply expires at the end of the trial without charging your card.

When you start a Microsoft 365 free trial, recurring billing is enabled by default. To avoid being charged for a full subscription, you must manually turn this feature off before the trial period concludes. Note that simply removing a payment method or having a payment declined will not properly cancel your subscription.

Sign in to your Microsoft Account

Go to the Microsoft Account website and log in using the email address associated with your Microsoft 365 trial.

Navigate to Services & Subscriptions

Click on the 'Services & subscriptions' tab located in the top navigation menu to view all active plans associated with your account.

Manage your Microsoft 365 trial

Locate your Microsoft 365 trial in the list of subscriptions and click the 'Manage' button next to it.

Disable recurring billing

Look for the 'Turn off recurring billing' or 'Cancel subscription' option. Click it and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the cancellation.

Turn Off Recurring Billing in Your Microsoft Account

Continued Trial Access: After turning off recurring billing, you can continue to use all Microsoft 365 premium apps and services until the originally displayed expiration date.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office and Say Goodbye to Monthly Subscriptions

If you are canceling your Microsoft 365 trial to avoid expensive recurring fees, WPS Office is the perfect alternative. It provides a robust, completely free suite for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without forcing you into monthly subscriptions.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer, then follow the quick setup wizard.
2. Open Existing Files: Double-click any of your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents to open them directly in WPS Office.
3. Edit and Save: Edit your documents with professional tools and save them in the exact same formats used by Microsoft 365.

Completely free to use with no hidden recurring billingSeamlessly opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight software that runs extremely fast even on older devicesFamiliar ribbon interface ensures zero learning curve when switching

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my card declines when the Microsoft 365 trial ends?

A declined payment does not automatically cancel your subscription. Microsoft may repeatedly attempt to charge the payment method, and your account will eventually enter a suspended 'past due' state until the billing issue is resolved or the subscription is manually canceled.

Do I lose access immediately if I cancel my trial early?

No. When you turn off recurring billing, you are simply stopping the auto-renewal. You will retain full access to your Microsoft 365 apps and cloud storage until the original expiration date of the trial.

Can I get a refund if I forgot to cancel my Microsoft 365 trial in time?

If you are billed because you forgot to turn off recurring billing, you may be eligible for a refund if you cancel within 30 days of the initial charge. When you click 'Cancel subscription' in your account, the system will typically inform you if you are eligible for an immediate refund.

Login & Account Issues