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Switch from Office 365 to Office 2021 Perpetual License
Oct
As the digital world continues to evolve, many individuals and businesses are rethinking their software needs. While subscription-based services like Office 365 have become the norm for many users, others are now considering the benefits of a one-time purchase option. If you’re among those looking to switch, this guide will show you how to convert Office 365 subscription to perpetual license with Office 2021. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of both models, helping you make an informed decision that best suits your personal or organizational needs.
Understanding the Difference Between Office 365 and Office 2021
Before diving into how to switch from Office 365 to Office 2021, let’s first break down the fundamental differences between these two licensing models.
What is Office 365 (Now Called Microsoft 365)?
Office 365, now branded as Microsoft 365, is a subscription-based service. Users pay a monthly or yearly fee, which grants access to the full suite of Microsoft Office applications (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), along with other services like OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Teams, and continuous software updates.
Key Features of Microsoft 365:
- Subscription Model: Requires ongoing payments.
- Cloud Integration: Comes with OneDrive cloud storage.
- Updates: Continuous access to the latest features and security updates.
- Multiple Devices: Can be installed on multiple devices, depending on the plan.
What is Office 2021 Perpetual License?
Office 2021, on the other hand, is a one-time purchase, also referred to as a perpetual license. You pay a single fee upfront and gain access to the Office applications for life, without needing to renew or make further payments. However, unlike Office 365, you won’t receive feature updates after your initial purchase—only essential security updates will be provided.
Key Features of Office 2021 Perpetual License:
- One-Time Payment: No ongoing fees; you own the software for life.
- No Feature Updates: You’ll have access to the version you buy, but no new features will be added.
- Offline Use: Once installed, you can use Office without an internet connection.
- Single Device: Typically licensed for one computer at a time.
If you’ve decided that a one-time purchase fits your needs better than a subscription, let’s go through the steps to convert Office 365 subscription to perpetual license with Office 2021.
Step-by-Step Guide to Convert Office 365 Subscription to Perpetual License
Switching from Office 365 to a perpetual Office 2021 license isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Follow these steps to make the switch easily and efficiently:
Step 1: Cancel Your Office 365 Subscription
The first step in the conversion process is to cancel your active Office 365 subscription. You’ll need to make sure that your subscription is canceled before purchasing and activating a perpetual Office 2021 license.
- Sign in to Your Microsoft Account:
- Go to the Microsoft Account website, and sign in using the Microsoft account associated with your Office 365 subscription.
- Access Subscriptions:
- In the Microsoft account dashboard, click on Services & Subscriptions.
- Locate Your Office 365 Subscription:
- Find your active Office 365 (Microsoft 365) subscription and click on Manage.
- Cancel the Subscription:
- Select the option to cancel your subscription. Microsoft may offer you the option to continue using Office 365 until your current billing cycle ends, or to immediately cancel and stop access to the service.
Once your Office 365 subscription has been successfully canceled, you’re ready to move forward with purchasing and activating an Office 2021 perpetual license.
Step 2: Purchase Office 2021 Perpetual License
After canceling your Office 365 subscription, the next step is to purchase Office 2021. You can buy the perpetual license from several trusted retailers, including Microsoft’s official website or third-party vendors like TookOffice.com.
Here are the options for Office 2021:
- Office 2021 Home & Student: Includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Office 2021 Home & Business: Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and it’s licensed for business use.
- Office 2021 Professional: Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher.
Purchase Process:
- Visit the Microsoft Store or a trusted third-party vendor like TookOffice.com.
- Select the version of Office 2021 that suits your needs.
- Complete your purchase and save the product key provided (usually sent via email for digital purchases).
Step 3: Uninstall Office 365 from Your Computer
Once you’ve canceled your subscription and purchased Office 2021, you need to uninstall the Office 365 apps from your computer to avoid any conflicts during the installation of Office 2021.
- Open Control Panel:
- On your Windows PC, open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start Menu.
- Uninstall Office 365:
- Under Programs and Features, find Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 365 in the list of installed programs.
- Select Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove all components of Office 365 from your computer.
- Restart Your Computer:
- Once uninstalled, restart your computer to ensure all components of Office 365 have been removed.
Step 4: Install and Activate Office 2021
Now that Office 365 has been removed from your device, it’s time to install and activate Office 2021 using the product key you purchased.
- Download Office 2021:
- If you purchased Office 2021 digitally, you’ll receive a download link along with your product key. Follow the link to download the Office 2021 installation files.
- Run the Installer:
- Once the download is complete, run the installer to begin the installation process.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
- Activate Office 2021:
- After installation, open any Office application (e.g., Word or Excel). You will be prompted to enter your product key.
- Enter the product key provided during your purchase and follow the instructions to activate Office 2021.
You’ve now successfully converted Office 365 subscription to perpetual license with Office 2021! You’ll no longer need to worry about subscription fees or automatic updates.
Comparing Office 365 and Office 2021 Perpetual License
Now that you understand how to make the switch, let’s take a moment to compare the benefits and drawbacks of both models, helping you determine if switching to Office 2021 is the best decision for you.
Advantages of Office 2021 Perpetual License
- One-Time Payment:
- Unlike Office 365, which requires a monthly or annual subscription fee, Office 2021 is a one-time purchase. Once you buy the perpetual license, you own it forever, with no recurring costs.
- Offline Use:
- Office 2021 doesn’t require an internet connection for regular use. Once installed, it works entirely offline, making it ideal for users who don’t need cloud services or frequent updates.
- No Forced Updates:
- With Office 2021, you won’t be forced to install new features or interface changes. You’ll only receive critical security updates, ensuring that your software remains stable and free from unnecessary changes.
- Ownership:
- With a perpetual license, you own the software for life, making it a better long-term investment for those who don’t need continuous updates or new features.
Advantages of Office 365 Subscription
- Latest Features:
- Office 365 users always have access to the latest features, tools, and improvements released by Microsoft. If you want cutting-edge functionality, Office 365 is the way to go.
- Multiple Devices:
- Office 365 allows you to install the software on multiple devices (depending on the plan), making it perfect for users with multiple computers, tablets, or smartphones.
- Cloud Integration:
- Office 365 integrates seamlessly with Microsoft OneDrive, providing cloud storage and easy file sharing across devices. This is ideal for collaborative work or for users who rely on cloud services.
- Flexible Plans:
- With Office 365, you can choose from several plans based on your needs, whether you’re a single user, part of a family, or running a business.
Which Option Is Best for You?
The decision between Office 2021 and Office 365 comes down to your individual needs and preferences:
- If you prefer owning your software outright and don’t need frequent updates or cloud services, Office 2021 perpetual license is the best option for you. It’s a cost-effective, long-term solution that gives you control over how and when to use your software.
- On the other hand, if you value access to the latest features, cloud storage, and the ability to install on multiple devices, Office 365 might be a better fit. It’s ideal for users who are comfortable with a subscription model and want a service that’s continually evolving.
Final Thoughts: Convert Office 365 Subscription to Perpetual License
Switching from Office 365 to Office 2021 can be a great move if you’re looking to simplify your software setup, eliminate recurring fees, and take control of your Office suite. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily convert Office 365 subscription to perpetual license and enjoy the benefits of a one-time purchase.
Whether you opt for the stability and ownership of Office 2021 or the cloud-based flexibility of Office 365, the choice ultimately depends on your personal or organizational needs. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making your decision!
