Licenses O365

Anonymous
2025-03-27T12:38:08+00:00

Hello, Microsoft community

I would like to clarify the following regarding O365 licensing for companies.

I have a user who has a license for Microsoft 365 Business Standard + Exchange Online (Plan 2) + Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online.

Plan 2 gives an additional 50GB of Inbox + Archive to Business standard, giving me 100GB (inbox) + 100GB (online archive), right?

But what's the point of Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online?

Wouldn't it be possible to have Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online instead of having all 3 plans? Or can Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online only be activated if you have Exchange Online (Plan 2)?

I have these doubts, could someone help?

Thank you.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For business | Other

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-27T14:44:38+00:00

    Hello ctrlaltdelight

    Good morning to you and thank you for your post in the Microsoft community. I read your thread and get some background information of your scenario. You're on the right track but let me clarify how these licenses work together.

    Microsoft 365 Business Standard

    • Comes with 50GB mailbox storage.
    • Does not include an Online Archive by default.

    Exchange Online (Plan 2)

    • Increases the mailbox size to 100GB.
    • Includes an Online Archive of 100GB (expandable with auto-expanding archive).

    Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online

    • Adds an additional archive storage feature, mainly for compliance and long-term retention.
    • Typically, it allows auto-expanding archive beyond the initial 100GB limit.
    • It can be added to Exchange Online (Plan 1) or (Plan 2), but it doesn't replace Plan 2.

    Answering Your Questions:

    • Yes, Exchange Online (Plan 2) gives you 100GB inbox + 100GB archive.
    • Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online is useful for auto-expanding archives. If your archive hits 100GB, it automatically expands beyond that.
    • No, you can't have just Microsoft 365 Business Standard + Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online because archiving requires an Exchange Online plan.
    • Exchange Online Archiving for Exchange Online can be activated on both Plan 1 and Plan 2, but it does not replace the need for Plan 2 if you want the 100GB inbox.

    If your user doesn’t need a 100GB inbox, you could use Microsoft 365 Business Standard + Exchange Online (Plan 1) + Exchange Online Archiving, which might be more cost-effective. However, if they need both 100GB mailbox and large archive storage, the current setup makes sense.

    If there is anything we can do or if you have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're here to support you in any way we can.

    Your kind understanding is greatly appreciated.

    Sincerely

    Shajia Afrin | Community Moderator

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