Do I really need Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 provides a cloud backup that meets most people's needs. As long as you have an alternative backup strategy, you can certainly do without Microsoft 365.

If your husband has purchased a Microsoft 365 Family plan, you can get on his plan for free. In that case, purchasing a separate plan would add no additional benefit to you.

See plans #2 and #3 here. Both are family plans: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/buy/compare-all-microsoft-365-products

It sounds like you really don't need it.

You can use Word, Excel, Powershell, and Outlook with Microsoft 365. You also have 1TB of online storage space in OneDrive.

Log in to your account. If you go to https://account.live.com and look at the Microsoft storage area, can you tell if you're using more than 5GB of OneDrive storage? That means you're using the premium storage that comes with 365. How much space do you use on OneDrive? You can switch to the Microsoft 365 Basic plan for $1.99 a month if it is less than 100GB. Or if you don't even use that much space, like less than 5GB, then the subscription doesn't help you at all.

To see how much you are currently paying, log into your account and click on "subscriptions."

You can always use the web version of Word for free at www.office.com if you need to type up a document every now and then.

Microsoft 365 is not strictly required, but what will be missed depends on how Word and the other Office apps are used today.

Key points based on the described situation:

1. What Microsoft 365 provides
   • Full desktop apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on Windows 11 (and other devices) when using Microsoft 365 Personal or Family.
   • Ongoing updates, new features, and security fixes for those apps.
   • Ability to install on multiple devices and, with a Family subscription, share with other people in the household.
2. What happens if Microsoft 365 is not renewed
   • After the subscription expires and a grace period passes, the Office apps go into “reduced functionality mode.” That typically means documents can be opened and viewed, but editing and creating new documents are limited until the subscription is renewed.
   • If Word on the computer is used regularly to write or edit letters, lists, or other documents, losing the subscription would remove that full editing capability on the desktop app.
3. Alternatives if the subscription is not renewed
   • Free web versions: Microsoft 365 Online is a free version that runs in a web browser. It allows creating and editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents online with a Microsoft account, but some advanced features are only in the paid desktop apps.
   • One-time purchase Office: Office 2024 (or Office 2021 in some materials) can be bought once for a single PC. It does not require a subscription but also does not receive new features or upgrades; a new version must be purchased again in the future.
4. When keeping Microsoft 365 makes sense
   • If Word, Excel, or other Office apps are used regularly on the Windows 11 computer and the familiarity of the desktop apps is important.
   • If the subscription is a Family plan that both household members use on their own devices.
   • If automatic updates and not having to think about future upgrades are preferred.
5. When it might be reasonable not to renew
   • If Word or other Office apps are rarely used, or only simple documents are needed and using the free web apps in a browser is acceptable.
   • If a one-time purchase like Office 2024 is preferred instead of paying every year, understanding that it is licensed for one computer and does not get new features.
6. Cost and plan details
   • Exact cost and which plan (Family, Personal, or Basic) is active are not shown in the provided information. To see the current subscription, who is on it, and the renewal price, sign in to the Microsoft account used for billing at the Services page and review the subscription details there.
7. If only basic storage and web apps are needed
   • Microsoft 365 Basic includes OneDrive storage and web/mobile Office apps but does not include the desktop Word or Excel apps. If the current plan is Basic, desktop Word on Windows 11 will not be licensed, and editing in the desktop app will stop when any previous plan with desktop apps ends.

In summary: if desktop Word on Windows 11 is important and is used regularly, renewing a Microsoft 365 plan that includes desktop apps (such as Personal or Family) or switching to a one-time purchase of Office is recommended. If only occasional, simple document work is needed and using a browser is acceptable, the free Microsoft 365 Online apps can be used without renewing.

References:

• Problems renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription
• What's the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription and free web apps
• What's the difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2024?
• Try or buy Microsoft 365
• I am unable to open and create documents - Microsoft Q&A
• No license associated with my email account - Microsoft Q&A
• how to download microsoft office 365 from subscription with multiple installs - Microsoft Q&A
• How to connect with Help and Support - Microsoft Q&A