Get Word, Excel and PowerPoint for free, no subscription required

Microsoft 365 is the latest iteration of the Microsoft Office suite, featuring familiar applications you can use for work, school, or personal life. The most common way to access these apps is by purchasing a Microsoft 365 subscription, but that price increases over time, which can prevent you from using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or other programs. Fortunately, if you want Microsoft 365there are ways to get the service for free.

Microsoft’s suite of productivity software consists of classic products like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as newer apps like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. The Microsoft 365 the collection typically costs between $70 and $100 each year for subscription access between devices and family members. Microsoft has also released a new standalone version of the Microsoft Office for Windows and MacNamed Office Home and Student 2021for a flat $150 — no subscription required.

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Here are the versions of Office 365, Microsoft 365 and their apps that you can find online for free right now.

Get Microsoft Office 365 for free if you’re a student or teacher

If you are a student, teacher or faculty member with an active school email address, you’re likely eligible to access Office 365 for free through Microsoft, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and additional classroom tools.

All you have to do is enter your school email address on this page on the Microsoft website: Get started with Office 365 for free. In many cases, you will be granted access immediately thanks to an automated verification process. If you are attending an institution that requires verification, it may take up to a month to confirm your eligibility.

Recent graduates who want to stick with Office 365 can also get Microsoft 365 Personal for $12 for 12 monthswith a valid school email address.

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Use Microsoft 365 apps for free right now

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How to get a free Microsoft Office suite if you’re someone else

Anyone can get a one month free trial of Microsoft 365. However, it requires you to enter a credit card number, and if you don’t cancel before the month is up, you’ll be charged $100 for a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Family (formerly Office 365 Home).

The good news is that if you don’t need the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools, you can access a number of applications online for free – including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Calendar and Skype. Here’s how to get them:

1. Go to Office.com.

2. Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the “Login” button.

3. Sign in to your Microsoft account or create one for free. If you’re already signed in to Windows, Skype, or Xbox Live, you have an active Microsoft account.

4. Choose the app you want to use and save your work in the cloud with OneDrive.

So what’s the catch with the free version?

You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, if I can get all these apps for free, why should I pay for Microsoft 365 in the first place?” Well, the functionality of the free apps is limited: they only work in your web browser and you can use them only while you are actively connected to the Internet. They also have fewer features than the full versions of Microsoft 365.

However, there are still a number of benefits, including the ability to share links to your work and collaborate in real time, similar to what G Suite tools allow. If you’re looking for basic versions of any of these apps, the free version should work just fine for you.

For more productivity coverage see all the best features in Windows 11, how to take screenshots in windows 10 or 11 and the best apps for creating a resume. You can also check out CNET’s list of best windows laptops.