How to get and use Microsoft 365 for free

What is Microsoft 365?

Formerly known as Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365 is the full suite of Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity, collaboration, and file-sharing tools. Designed for real-time collaboration, advanced security, and AI integration, Microsoft 365 boasts crowd-favorite apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and OneNote. These apps have come a long way since Microsoft Office transformed into Microsoft 365, and they keep evolving to do even more.

Which Microsoft 365 apps are free?

From budgeting to video sharing, Microsoft 365 free apps support work, play, and everything in between. Enjoy these apps with your Microsoft account:

• Word: Write, edit, and format your documents in this word processing app.
• Excel: Organize data, calculate, and create graphs and charts in this spreadsheet tool.
• PowerPoint: Create slideshows with text, images, video, and more with this presentation app.
• OneDrive: Save, share, and access files from any device with this cloud storage tool.
• OneNote: Organize your world—from notes and ideas to images and drawings—with this digital notebook.
• Outlook: Manage your inbox, contacts, and schedule with this email and calendar app.
• Teams: Connect with others via chat, video meetings, file sharing, and more with this communication and collaboration app.
• Clipchamp: Create and edit videos with this easy-to-use video-editing tool.
• Create: Use customizable templates to design presentations, videos, and social media posts.
• Designer: Design professional graphics and visuals with this AI-powered design tool.
• Forms: Design quizzes, surveys, and real-time polls in this form-building tool.
• Loop: Make and share dynamic tables, lists, and notes in this collaboration tool.
• To Do: Make to-do lists, set reminders, and organize tasks with this task-management app.

Steps to access free Microsoft 365 apps

Accessing Microsoft 365 for free takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Sign up. Use a current email address or an existing Outlook email address to sign up.
2. Bookmark the Microsoft 365 home page. This is where you’ll find free Microsoft 365 apps via the web. Bookmark the Microsoft 365 home page for easy access.
3. Enjoy free Microsoft 365 apps on the web. From the Microsoft 365 home page, navigate to Apps. Select the app you want to use, and it will open for you in your browser.
4. Download the Microsoft 365 mobile app. Access Microsoft 365 for free on your Android or iOS mobile device by downloading the Microsoft 365 mobile app.

What else comes with the free version of Microsoft 365?

On top of the free web and/or mobile versions of favorite apps, free Microsoft 365 includes 5 gigabytes (GB) of cloud storage. Via OneDrive, securely save and share your files, photos, videos, and more. Access them from anywhere on the web or your mobile device.

Free Microsoft 365 apps, storage, and features for students and teachers

If you’re a teacher or student with a valid school email address, check out Microsoft 365 Education. You’ll get everything included with free Microsoft 365 plus more storage (1 terabyte [TB]), classroom management tools, and full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook.

How is the paid version of Microsoft 365 different from the free version?

The paid version of Microsoft 365 offers additional functionality, storage, and features. Learn more about all Microsoft 365 versions, including personal and family.

Whether you want to become an Excel whiz or write to your heart’s content in Word, get started for free with Microsoft 365.