How to fix
Get Microsoft Office 365 for free
on Windows

Hello. I was wondering if there was a way to get Microsoft Office 365 for free. I am not sure if I want to buy it yet.

Are you tired of using outdated software and missing out on the latest and greatest features that Microsoft Office 365 has to offer? Look no further, because we've got the inside scoop on how to score yourself a free or discounted version of this coveted software. While the software is not free, there are several ways that users can obtain a license without paying full price. 

From taking advantage of your school's offer, to convincing your boss to purchase a company-wide subscription, we've got you covered. So put down that dusty old Word 2003, and read on to find out how to upgrade your work game without breaking the bank. The key is to be aware of the different options and take advantage of them. Here are six methods to get Microsoft Office 365 for free:

Method 1. Check the Microsoft Student Advantage Program

Many colleges and universities offer Office 365 for free or at a discounted rate to their students and staff. This is because Microsoft has a program called Microsoft Student Advantage[ref en-1] which allows schools to provide Office 365 to their students for free. The program is designed to help students stay productive and connected while they are in school.

To take advantage of this program, students will need to check with their school's IT department to see if they participate in the Microsoft Student Advantage program. They may need to provide proof of enrollment, such as a student ID card, to confirm their eligibility. Once verified, students will be able to download and install Office 365 on their personal devices, including PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.

This program is not only limited to college students but also K-12 students and teachers also can take advantage of this program if their school is participating in the program. It's worth checking with your school's IT department or the school's website to see if they participate in this program.

In addition to the Microsoft Student Advantage program, many schools also offer Office 365 ProPlus to students and staff as part of their technology programs, this program is different from the student advantage program and it's only for the staff and faculty members.

Method 2. Get the Free 1 Month Trial

Microsoft offers a free trial of Office 365 for personal use,[ref en-2] which allows users to test out the software before committing to a purchase. This is a great option for those who are unsure if they want to pay for a subscription or for those who want to try out the software before making a decision.

To start the free trial, users can visit the Office.com website and sign up for an account. They will need to provide a valid email address and choose a subscription plan. Once the account is set up, users will be able to download and install Office 365 on their devices, including PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. The free trial typically lasts for one month, but it can vary depending on the country.

During the free trial, users will have access to all of the features of Office 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. They can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and collaborate with others in real time. However, there will be a watermark on the documents created during the free trial.

It's important to note that after the free trial period, the user will need to pay for a subscription to continue using Office 365. If they do not wish to continue using the software, they should cancel the subscription before the trial period ends, to avoid any charges.

Method 3. Get the Free 1 Month Trial of Office 365 ProPlus

Office 365 ProPlus[ref en-3] is a version of Office 365 that is designed specifically for businesses and organizations. It includes all of the features of the standard version of Office 365 but also includes additional tools and features that are tailored for business use.

Just like Office 365, Microsoft also offers a free trial of Office 365 ProPlus for businesses and organizations to test out the software before committing to a purchase. This is a great option for small businesses or organizations that are unsure if they want to pay for a subscription or for those who want to try out the software before making a decision.

Method 4. Convince your Employer to get Office 365

Many companies and organizations use Office 365 as their primary productivity suite, and if you can convince your employer to purchase a subscription, you will have access to the software at no cost to you.

One way to convince your employer to purchase Office 365 is by highlighting the benefits of the software. Office 365 includes a variety of tools and features, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more, which can help employees to be more productive and efficient. Additionally, Office 365 also includes collaboration tools such as SharePoint and OneDrive, which can help teams to work together more effectively.

You can also show your employer how Office 365 can save the company money in the long run. For example, Office 365 eliminates the need for expensive on-premises software, such as Microsoft Office, and can be more cost-effective in the long run.

Another way to convince your employer to purchase Office 365 is by demonstrating how it can improve security. Office 365 includes built-in security features such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication, which can help to protect the company's data and information.

Method 5. Get Office 365 when purchasing new a PC

Many PC manufacturers, such as Dell, Lenovo, and HP, offer new computers that come with a free trial or a subscription of Office 365. This can be a great option for those who are in the market for a new computer and want to get access to Office 365 at the same time.

When purchasing a PC with a free trial or subscription of Office 365, it's important to check the terms and conditions to understand the length of the trial and the cost of the subscription after the trial period ends. Some manufacturers may offer a free trial for a certain period of time, such as 30 or 90 days, while others may offer a full year of the software for free. Some PCs may come with a subscription that is pre-installed and activated, while others may require you to activate the subscription after purchase.

It's also important to note that some PCs may come with a limited version of Office 365, such as Office Home & Student, which includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while others may come with the full version of Office 365, which includes all of the features and tools of the software.

Method 6. Use Office Online

Another option for using Microsoft Office is through the web online. Microsoft offers Office Online, which is a free, web-based version of the Office suite that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. This means that users can access and use these applications from any device with an internet connection without having to download or install any software.

Office Online can be accessed through a web browser by visiting the Office.com website and signing in with a Microsoft account. This makes it a great option for remote work or for those who need to access Office on multiple devices. One of the main benefits of Office Online is that it is completely free to use.

Unlike the full version of Office, there is no need to purchase a subscription or license. However, Office Online does have some limitations compared to the full version of Office. For example, some advanced features such as macros and add-ins may not be available, and the number of simultaneous collaborators is limited.

Be careful of third-party sellers

While there are legitimate ways to obtain Microsoft 365 for free or at a discounted price, there are also some dubious methods that users should be aware of and avoid. One such method is purchasing Office 365 licenses from sellers on online marketplaces, such as eBay.

While these sellers may claim to offer legitimate licenses at a discounted price, it is important to note that buying software licenses from third-party sellers is risky and can lead to a number of problems.

First, there is no way to verify the authenticity of the license. The seller may be selling a counterfeit or pirated version of the software, which can lead to a number of issues, such as security vulnerabilities, lack of support, and compatibility problems.

Second, buying a license from a third-party seller may violate the terms of service for Office 365, which can lead to the license being revoked or deactivated. This can result in the loss of access to the software and all of the data associated with it.

Third, buying a license from a third-party seller may be a violation of the law. Software piracy is illegal, and those who engage in it can face significant fines and even criminal charges.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to purchase Office 365 licenses from third-party sellers on online marketplaces, it is important to remember that this is a risky and potentially illegal activity. Users should avoid these sellers and instead opt for legitimate ways to obtain Microsoft 365