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Do I have to have MS 365 to use my MS products.

Michelle Smith Rapoza 20 Reputation points
2025-11-22T19:13:27.09+00:00

Hello,

I do not need 365 anymore or one drive or even outlook. However, I want to keep my original MS Office. Is this possible? What will happen to the files I created in MS 365 office and saved to my computer?
What about the files in one drive?

Thank you so very much.

Michelle

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | MacOS
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  1. Stefan Blom 338.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-11-22T20:01:10.3566667+00:00

    If you cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription you will only be able to use the free OneDrive storage. Be sure to download files you want to keep.

    Note that if you cancel your subscription without having another Office product, you will only be able to use the online versions of the Office apps in your web browser. That means reduced functionality and no local storage for files you want to edit.

    What you can do is get a one-time payment license. The cheapest option is Office Home 2024 (observe that it does not include classic Outlook). That version is for one user and one computer (PC or Mac). No mobile apps supported.

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  1. EmilyS726 223.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-22T19:53:49.9566667+00:00

    HelloIf you cancel your Microsoft 365, your OneDrive storage will go back to the original free 5GB storage allowance. If you don't go over the 5GB, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if you go over 5GB, you want to move those files from OneDrive to your local computer, because once your subscription stops, your files can become read only if you go over, and in 6 months you files can be deleted permanently.

    As for files you created in MS 365 and saved to your computer, they will not go anywhere.

    You said you want to keep your original MS Office, what do you mean exactly by this? Did you have a perpetual license of Office products, or?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Q&A Assist
    2025-11-22T19:13:37.9533333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    You can keep your original Microsoft Office applications without having to maintain a Microsoft 365 subscription. If you have installed Office as a one-time purchase (like Office 2019), it will continue to function independently of Microsoft 365. However, if you are using Microsoft 365 Apps, which is part of a subscription, you will lose access to those applications once the subscription ends.

    As for the files you created with Microsoft 365 Office and saved to your computer, they will remain on your device and can still be accessed and edited using your installed Office applications. Regarding the files stored in OneDrive, you will need to download them to your local storage before your subscription ends, as you may lose access to OneDrive once the subscription is no longer active.

    It's advisable to back up any important files to ensure you do not lose access to them after discontinuing your subscription.

    References:

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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