You’ll most likely need to access a Microsoft Word document, a PowerPoint presentation, or another basic tool from Microsoft 365 at least once in 2022, whether for work, school, or personal reasons. Although the software appears to be a necessity, its high cost causes some people to avoid it. Don’t worry if you don’t want to spend your money on Microsoft 365. There are a few options for getting the service for free.
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint are all part of Microsoft’s productivity software suite. Every year, the collection costs between $70 and $100 for subscription access across devices and family members (as Microsoft 365).
On the same day that Windows 11 was released, Microsoft also released a new stand-alone version of Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac, called Office Home and Student 2021, for a flat price with no subscription required.
If you are a student or a teacher, you can get Microsoft Office 365 for free.
If you’re a student, teacher, or faculty member with an active school email address, you’re probably eligible for free Office 365 access from Microsoft, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and other classroom tools.
Simply enter your school email address on this page of Microsoft’s website: Get started with Office 365 for free. In many cases, you’ll be granted access right away thanks to an automated verification process. It may take up to a month to confirm your eligibility if you attend an institution that must be verified.
How to Get Microsoft Office Suite for Free If You’re Anyone Else.
If you don’t require the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools, you can still access a number of its apps online for free, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Calendar, and Skype. Here’s how you can get them:
- Visit Office.com.
- Sign in to your Microsoft account or sign up for a free one. You already have an active Microsoft account if you have a Windows, Skype, or Xbox Live login.
- Choose the app you want to use and save your work to the cloud using OneDrive.
So, what is the catch with the free version?
You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, if I can get all of those apps for free, why should I pay for Microsoft 365 in the first place?” The reason for this is that the functionality of these apps is restricted: They only work in your web browser and can only be used when you’re connected to the internet. They also have fewer features than the full versions of Microsoft 365.
However, there are some advantages, such as the ability to share links to your work and collaborate in real time, as G Suite tools do. If you’re looking for the most basic versions of each of these apps, the free version should suffice.