I need to know if I can use Microsoft Office Home and Student (lifetime license) to write a book.

Question

I need to know if I can use Microsoft Office Home and Student (lifetime license) to write a book. 

Specifically, I need to know what "commercial license" entails. Can I legally use Microsoft Office for Home and Student to write a book? Or is that illegal? Would Microsoft Office for Home and Business be a better option? How do I even go about obtaining a commercial license for Word specifically?

Answer 1

Officially, no you are not supposed to use Home and Student to write a book that you will be getting paid for.

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Unofficially, MS doesn't usually hunt down the "little guy". They don't really have any way of knowing what you are going to do with this document.

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If you want to be strictly legal, you can find a onetime payment version of standalone Word 2021 "commercial". It will cost about US$150 (same price as home and student", or you can buy Office 2021 Home and Business. It adds Outlook and is a "business" class license for about $260.

Actually! If you are not using "fancy" features, you may find Word Online (free!) adequate, barely.

Other than that, you could get one of the 365 business subscriptions. But they are more expensive. And it gets a little more tricky with the email account.

Answer 2

Hello JVtoro

I'm Diane, an M365 Apps & Services MVP and I’m happy to help you today.

Technically, if you are getting paid to write it or realistically expect to make money on sales, you should use Home & Business, which is allowed for commercial use.

How do I even go about obtaining a commercial license for Word specifically?
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If you want to buy just word, the word available in the Microsoft store is allowed for commercial use.

It's just suite with Student in the name + the Personal and Family subscriptions that are not for commercial use.

-- Diane

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