Basic subscription

Question

What is included with a Basic subscription? I have no use for Powerpoint, Designer, Forms, and many other features in a Personal subscription and don't want to pay for needless features.

Answer 1

Microsoft 365 Basic is a low-cost plan for one person that adds storage, security, and support on top of the free web apps. It does not include the installable desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

What is included in Microsoft 365 Basic

1. Cloud storage and access across devices

• 100 GB of secure cloud storage that can be used across Outlook and OneDrive.
• Files, photos, and email can all use this storage.
• Access files from anywhere, on any device, with automatic syncing so the latest changes follow when switching devices.

2. OneDrive photo and file storage with advanced security

• Store and share files and photos in OneDrive.
• Built-in ransomware protection helps keep content safe from malicious attacks.
• Advanced OneDrive security features for Basic subscribers:
  • Unlimited files in Personal Vault.
  • Expiring sharing links.
  • Password-protected sharing links.
  • Files restore and ransomware detection and recovery (can recover OneDrive files for up to 30 days after malicious attacks, file corruption, or accidental deletions/edits).

3. Secure, ad-free Outlook email

• Ad-free experience in Outlook.com and Outlook mobile for email, calendar, to-do lists, and contacts.
• Built-in security tools to help protect information.
• Email security features apply to @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com addresses.

4. Always up to date

• Ongoing updates to the OneDrive and Outlook web and mobile experiences.
• Security and feature updates for these services are included as part of the subscription.

5. Microsoft support

• Access to Microsoft support experts for help with Microsoft 365 and Windows 11.

How Basic compares to free and to Personal/Family

• Compared to Free web apps:
  • Free users get web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint plus 5 GB of OneDrive storage.
  • Basic adds 100 GB of storage total (instead of 5 GB) and advanced OneDrive security plus ad-free Outlook and support.
• Compared to Personal/Family subscriptions:
  • Personal/Family include both web and desktop apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote) with AI-powered features and 1 TB of storage per person.
  • Basic does not include desktop apps and does not add AI features in the Office desktop apps.
  • Basic is focused on storage, secure email, and support, not on the full Office desktop suite.

What Basic does not include (important for cost-conscious use)

• No license to install desktop Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) on PC or Mac.
• No additional premium features in PowerPoint, Designer, Forms, etc., beyond what is available in the free web versions.
• No 1 TB storage; Basic is limited to 100 GB.

If there is no need for PowerPoint, Designer, Forms, or other advanced Office features, Microsoft 365 Basic is the minimal paid plan that primarily gives:

• 100 GB of storage,
• secure, ad-free Outlook email,
• advanced OneDrive security,
• and Microsoft support, while continuing to use the free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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References:

• Frequently asked questions about Microsoft 365 Basic
• What's the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription and free web apps
• What's the difference between a paid Microsoft 365 subscription and the free web apps?