# Microsoft 365 licensing changes: every UK price rise, plan change and deadline URL: https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/ Last updated: 2026-11-07 Last checked: 2026-11-07 > Microsoft 365 price increases, plan changes and licence deadlines for UK organisations, with dates, what to do and Microsoft's source. Updated weekly. A dated change log of Microsoft 365 licensing for UK organisations: price rises, new and retired plans, licence changes and end-of-support dates, newest first. It covers business, enterprise, frontline, education and charity plans (not Personal or Family), and every entry gives the date, the plans it affects, what to do and a Microsoft source. ## The short answer - **1 July 2026:** Microsoft raised UK prices on most commercial Microsoft 365 plans, for example Business Basic from £4.60 to £5.40 and Microsoft 365 E3 from £31.00 to £33.50 per user a month (previous prices as reported by UK resellers); existing subscriptions move to the new price at their first renewal on or after 1 July 2026. Business Premium and Office 365 E1 did not change. - **2 November 2026:** Microsoft starts applying fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence, first in organisations with 2,000 or fewer seats; Copilot Chat stays included and Microsoft does not publish the limits. - **1 December 2026:** Microsoft starts selling Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licences that do not need a Microsoft 365 base plan, at the same price as today's licences. - **31 December 2026:** Microsoft's promotional price for Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, £13.80 instead of £16.10 per user a month, ends for new annual subscriptions; a subscription bought at the promotional price renews at the list price. - **1 January 2027:** The first of Microsoft's yearly local-currency price updates for its cloud services takes effect; guidance is due in November 2026, and Microsoft has not yet said whether prices in pounds will change. ## Key facts - **Last checked:** 7 November 2026 - **Changes in 2026:** 22 - **Dates still to come:** 19 - **Next date:** [1 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes): Microsoft 365 Education A2 generally available, with new faculty and paid student editions (part of: Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028) - **Latest announcement:** [5 November 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes): Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028 ## What is changing next? Every date still to come, soonest first, as of the last check: the day each announced change takes effect, and the later steps Microsoft has dated for changes already under way. Dates in the future can move, so each links to its entry and Microsoft's source. ### 2026 (7 dates) | Date | Change | Affects | Type | |---|---|---|---| | 1 December 2026 | Microsoft 365 Education A2 generally available, with new faculty and paid student editions ([Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes)) | Microsoft 365 A3, Microsoft 365 A5, Office 365 A1 and 4 more | Plans and SKUs | | 1 December 2026 | Bundles appear in the CSP price list preview ([Microsoft adds bundles of Copilot Business with Dynamics 365 Business Central from 1 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-business-central-copilot-business-bundles)) | Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials, Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium | Plans and SKUs | | 1 December 2026 | The Copilot Business offer the promotion applies to stops being sold through resellers ([Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end)) | Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business | Prices and billing | | 1 December 2026 | [Microsoft 365 Copilot can be bought without a Microsoft 365 plan from 1 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-without-base-licence) | Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business | Plans and SKUs | | 31 December 2026 | [Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end) | Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business | Prices and billing | | 31 December 2026 | [Office Online Server reaches end of support on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-office-online-server-retirement) | Office Online Server | Lifecycle and retirement dates | | December 2026 | [Microsoft turns off Basic authentication for SMTP AUTH in Exchange Online by default at the end of December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-01-27-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-timeline) | Exchange Online SMTP AUTH client submission, Devices and apps that send email with a stored username and password | Lifecycle and retirement dates | ### 2027 (9 dates) | Date | Change | Affects | Type | |---|---|---|---| | 1 January 2027 | [Microsoft will review local-currency cloud prices every 1 January, starting 1 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-annual-local-currency-price-updates) | Microsoft Commercial Cloud services priced in local currency | Prices and billing | | 1 January 2027 | [Microsoft adds bundles of Copilot Business with Dynamics 365 Business Central from 1 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-business-central-copilot-business-bundles) | Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials, Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium | Plans and SKUs | | 6 January 2027 | [Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire) | Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 E7, Microsoft Defender Suite and 11 more | Licence entitlements | | 12 January 2027 | [Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 reach end of support on 12 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-12-windows-server-2016-office-support-ends) | Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2016, Office LTSC 2024 on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 | Lifecycle and retirement dates | | January 2027 | End of life: no more renewals; contracts run to expiry ([Microsoft retires the standalone SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-sharepoint-onedrive-standalone-end-of-sale)) | SharePoint Online Plan 1, SharePoint Online Plan 2, OneDrive for Business Plan 1, OneDrive for Business Plan 2 | Plans and SKUs | | 28 February 2027 | Last day for live events booked before 30 June 2026 ([Microsoft retired Teams live events on 30 June 2026; events already booked run until 28 February 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-30-teams-live-events-retired)) | Microsoft Teams live events, Teams town halls | Lifecycle and retirement dates | | 1 April 2027 | [Microsoft retires Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online on 1 April 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-04-01-exchange-online-ews-retirement) | Exchange Online, Apps and add-ins that use Exchange Web Services (EWS), Exchange hybrid free/busy and cross-tenant calendar sharing, Skype for Business Server hybrid | Lifecycle and retirement dates | | 1 May 2027 | Office 365 A1 end of sale through resellers and volume licensing; one price at every price level for online services in academic volume licensing ([Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes)) | Microsoft 365 A3, Microsoft 365 A5, Office 365 A1 and 4 more | Plans and SKUs | | 30 June 2027 | Last day to buy Microsoft 365 E3 with the 30% promotional discount ([Microsoft offers 30% off Microsoft 365 E3 to organisations that buy 300 or more new licences through a reseller, until 30 June 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-27-microsoft-365-e3-30-percent-promotion)) | Microsoft 365 E3, Microsoft 365 E3 (no Teams) | Prices and billing | ### Later (3 dates) | Date | Change | Affects | Type | |---|---|---|---| | 1 January 2028 | [Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes) | Microsoft 365 A3, Microsoft 365 A5, Office 365 A1 and 4 more | Plans and SKUs | | 10 October 2028 | Security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022 end ([Microsoft 365 Apps support on Windows Server 2022 ended on 13 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-13-microsoft-365-apps-windows-server-2022)) | Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022, Project and Visio subscription desktop apps on Windows Server 2022 | Lifecycle and retirement dates | | December 2029 | End of service ([Microsoft retires the standalone SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-sharepoint-onedrive-standalone-end-of-sale)) | SharePoint Online Plan 1, SharePoint Online Plan 2, OneDrive for Business Plan 1, OneDrive for Business Plan 2 | Plans and SKUs | ## What has Microsoft announced without a date yet? Microsoft has announced these but has not yet given the detail or a firm date. Each quotes Microsoft's own words, with the timing as Microsoft gives it, and moves into the timeline once there is a date. ### Microsoft's guidance on local-currency prices from 1 January 2027, including whether prices in pounds change > Detailed guidance on the January 2027 update will be shared in November 2026. **Prices and billing** · When: November 2026 · Source: [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: Annual local currency pricing updates for Commercial Cloud](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#annual-local-currency-pricing-updates-for-commercial-cloud) (checked 7 November 2026) · Also: [Microsoft Source: Microsoft announces moving to annual local currency pricing updates for Commercial Cloud services every January (8 July 2026)](https://news.microsoft.com/source/2026/07/08/microsoft-announces-moving-to-annual-local-currency-pricing-updates-for-commercial-cloud-services-every-january/) · Related change: [Microsoft will review local-currency cloud prices every 1 January, starting 1 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-annual-local-currency-price-updates) ### When Microsoft switches on pay-as-you-go billing by default for new Copilot Business licences > Usage-based billing is now enabled by default for new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business subscriptions purchased in Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) during Microsoft's FY27 Q3 (January-March 2027), instead of December 1, 2026, as previously announced. **Prices and billing** · When: Microsoft's FY27 Q3 (January to March 2027) · Source: [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Availability update, usage-based billing for new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licenses (3 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#availability-update-updates-to-usage-based-billing-for-new-microsoft-365-copilot-business-licenses-and-partner-center-sandbox-environments) (checked 7 November 2026) · Related change: [Pay-as-you-go billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business licences, now planned for January to March 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default) ### Microsoft will set the final removal date for Basic authentication in SMTP AUTH > Second half of 2027: Microsoft will announce the final removal date for SMTP AUTH Basic Authentication. **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · When: Second half of 2027 · Source: [Exchange Team blog: Updated Exchange Online SMTP AUTH Basic authentication deprecation timeline (27 January 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/updated-exchange-online-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-deprecation-timeline/4489835) (checked 7 November 2026) · Related change: [Microsoft turns off Basic authentication for SMTP AUTH in Exchange Online by default at the end of December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-01-27-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-timeline) ### Microsoft's next minimum-version change will throttle or block email to Exchange Online from Exchange 2016 and 2019 servers outside the ESU programme > When the next adjustment happens (we estimate in several months), only customers who were enrolled into our ESU program and customers who migrated to Exchange SE will have the required update versions to not be throttled or blocked when sending email to Exchange Online. **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · When: "we estimate in several months" (Exchange Team, 2 September 2026) · Source: [Exchange Team blog: Exchange 2016/2019 throttling and blocking up to the final public update baseline (2 September 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/exchange-2016-2019-throttling-and-blocking-up-to-the-final/ba-p/4552717) (checked 7 November 2026) · Also: [Exchange Team blog: Announcing Period 2 Exchange 2016/2019 Extended Security Update program (15 April 2026, updated 13 October 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/announcing-period-2-exchange-20162019-extended-security-update-esu-program/4511603) ## What changed in the last 30 days? - 7 November 2026, updated: [Pay-as-you-go billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business licences, now planned for January to March 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default) - 5 November 2026, announced: [Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes) - 5 November 2026, announced: [Microsoft adds bundles of Copilot Business with Dynamics 365 Business Central from 1 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-business-central-copilot-business-bundles) - 2 November 2026, took effect: [Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits) - 1 November 2026, updated: [Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end) ## Find a change by type Each change in the log has one of four types. Open a type to see every change of that kind, newest first. | Type | What it covers | Latest change | Entries | |---|---|---|---| | Prices and billing | UK price changes, promotions, subscription terms and billing rules, including new commerce (NCE). | [1 January 2027: Microsoft will review local-currency cloud prices every 1 January, starting 1 January 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-annual-local-currency-price-updates) | 8 | | Plans and SKUs | New plans and add-ons, retirements, renames, Teams and no-Teams versions, Copilot SKUs. | [1 January 2028: Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes) | 8 | | Licence entitlements | Features added to or removed from plans, prerequisites and seat caps. | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire) | 5 | | Lifecycle and retirement dates | End of support and retirement dates for Microsoft 365 apps, services and related Office products. | [1 April 2027: Microsoft retires Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online on 1 April 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-04-01-exchange-online-ews-retirement) | 10 | ## Find a change by plan Open a plan family to see every change that names one of its plans. Each plan name links to what it includes in the comparison tool. | Plan | Changes | |---|---| | Microsoft 365 Business Basic (Microsoft 365 Business) | [31 December 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end); [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Pay-as-you-go billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business licences, now planned for January to March 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps); [1 July 2025: Microsoft ends the free Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grants for charities](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-07-01-nonprofit-business-premium-e1-grants-end) | | Microsoft 365 Business Standard (Microsoft 365 Business) | [31 December 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end); [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Pay-as-you-go billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business licences, now planned for January to March 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 July 2026: Business Standard and Business Premium with Copilot become permanent plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-business-with-copilot-skus); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) | | Microsoft 365 Business Premium (Microsoft 365 Business) | [31 December 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end); [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Pay-as-you-go billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business licences, now planned for January to March 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Business Standard and Business Premium with Copilot become permanent plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-business-with-copilot-skus); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps); [1 July 2025: Microsoft ends the free Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grants for charities](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-07-01-nonprofit-business-premium-e1-grants-end) | | Microsoft 365 Apps for Business (Microsoft 365 Business) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise) | | Microsoft Defender + Purview Suites (Microsoft 365 Business) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire) | | Office 365 E1 (Office 365 Enterprise) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps); [1 July 2025: Microsoft ends the free Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grants for charities](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-07-01-nonprofit-business-premium-e1-grants-end) | | Office 365 E3 (Office 365 Enterprise) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) | | Office 365 E5 (Office 365 Enterprise) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) | | Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (Office 365 Enterprise) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise) | | Microsoft 365 F1 (Microsoft 365 Frontline) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers) | | Microsoft 365 F3 (Microsoft 365 Frontline) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) | | Microsoft Defender Suite (Frontline) (Microsoft 365 Frontline) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire) | | Microsoft Purview Suite (Frontline) (Microsoft 365 Frontline) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire) | | Microsoft Defender + Purview Suites (Frontline) (Microsoft 365 Frontline) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite) | | Microsoft 365 E3 (Microsoft 365 Enterprise) | [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [27 October 2026: Microsoft offers 30% off Microsoft 365 E3 to organisations that buy 300 or more new licences through a reseller, until 30 June 2027](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-27-microsoft-365-e3-30-percent-promotion); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 May 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot can be bought on a three-year term through cloud solution providers](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-copilot-three-year-term); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) | | Microsoft Defender Suite (Microsoft 365 Enterprise) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite) | | Microsoft Purview Suite (Microsoft 365 Enterprise) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite) | | Microsoft 365 E5 (Microsoft 365 Enterprise) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite); [1 May 2026: Microsoft launches Microsoft 365 E7, the Frontier Suite](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-microsoft-365-e7-launch); [1 May 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot can be bought on a three-year term through cloud solution providers](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-copilot-three-year-term); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers); [1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) | | Microsoft 365 E7 (Microsoft 365 Enterprise) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365); [1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite); [1 May 2026: Microsoft launches Microsoft 365 E7, the Frontier Suite](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-microsoft-365-e7-launch); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers) | | Microsoft 365 A1 (legacy) (Microsoft 365 Education) | [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers) | | Microsoft 365 A3 (Microsoft 365 Education) | [1 January 2028: Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers) | | Microsoft Defender Suite (Education) (Microsoft 365 Education) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite) | | Microsoft Purview Suite (Education) (Microsoft 365 Education) | [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite) | | Microsoft 365 A5 (Microsoft 365 Education) | [1 January 2028: Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes); [6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire); [1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite); [1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers) | ## What is changing in January 2028? ### 1 January 2028: Microsoft retires Office 365 A1 and the Student Use Benefit, and changes Microsoft 365 Education licensing and storage, from 1 January 2028 **Plans and SKUs** · Upcoming · Announced 5 November 2026 · Takes effect 1 January 2028 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 A3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a3), [Microsoft 365 A5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a5), Office 365 A1, Student Use Benefit, Exchange Online for Alumni, Microsoft 365 Education A0, A2 and A7, Microsoft 365 Education storage Microsoft announced on 5 November 2026 what it calls its most significant update to Microsoft 365 Education in more than a decade, taking effect at each institution's first renewal, extension or new agreement on or after 1 January 2028. From then Office 365 A1, the Student Use Benefit and free Exchange Online for Alumni retire, the 100 TB base storage allocation is removed so that pooled storage grows with each paid faculty and student licence, and a new line-up applies: a no-cost A0 for students who use Windows devices, at institutions whose faculty are all on paid A2 or above, and paid A2, A3, A5 and A7 editions for faculty and students, with or without Teams. Office 365 A1 stops being sold through resellers and volume licensing on 1 May 2027, and from each institution's first renewal on or after that date, online services bought through academic volume licensing have one price at every price level. Licences on an agreement that started before 1 January 2028 carry on until it renews, Microsoft says faculty prices for the existing suites with Teams do not change, and A3 faculty gains Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 and A5 faculty gains Intune Suite at no extra cost. Note: Microsoft has not published prices for the new editions; it says A2 to A5 cost more than 80% less than commercial plans and A7 up to 60% less. A7, which adds Microsoft Copilot, Agent 365 and Microsoft Entra Suite to A5, is generally available from 1 October 2026 according to Microsoft Learn, although Microsoft announced it to partners as newly available on 5 November 2026. A0 does not include Exchange Online, SharePoint or Teams. Key dates: 1 October 2026: Microsoft 365 Education A7 generally available; 1 December 2026: Microsoft 365 Education A2 generally available, with new faculty and paid student editions; 1 May 2027: Office 365 A1 end of sale through resellers and volume licensing; one price at every price level for online services in academic volume licensing; 1 January 2028: Office 365 A1, the Student Use Benefit and free Exchange Online for Alumni retire, and the new line-up and storage model apply, at each institution's first renewal or extension on or after this date. **What UK customers should do:** Find your next renewal or extension date, count the people on Office 365 A1, the Student Use Benefit and free alumni email, check your storage use, and agree the replacement licences with your education partner before your first renewal on or after 1 May 2027, when the pricing change can already apply. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 Education portfolio evolution (key dates, line-up, storage and retirements)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/instructor-materials/microsoft-365-education-portfolio) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Education blog: Future-ready education, evolving Microsoft 365 Education (5 November 2026)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/blog/2026/11/future-ready-education-evolving-microsoft-365-education/), [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 Education portfolio evolution (5 November 2026)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/m365education-update), [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Microsoft 365 Education portfolio update (5 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#microsoft-365-education-portfolio-update) Related: [Charity and education pricing](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#charity-and-education-pricing) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2028-01-01-microsoft-365-education-portfolio-changes) ## What is changing in April 2027? ### 1 April 2027: Microsoft retires Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online on 1 April 2027 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · Upcoming · Announced 5 February 2026 · Takes effect 1 April 2027 · Affects: Exchange Online, Apps and add-ins that use Exchange Web Services (EWS), Exchange hybrid free/busy and cross-tenant calendar sharing, Skype for Business Server hybrid Microsoft began turning off Exchange Web Services (EWS) in Exchange Online, tenant by tenant, on or soon after 1 October 2026 and will disable it permanently on 1 April 2027, a date it calls the hard deadline. Until then admins can keep named apps working by setting EWSEnabled to True and listing the apps in EWSAllowedAppIDs, but that workaround also stops in April 2027, so any backup, archiving, CRM, scanning or calendar tool that still uses EWS needs a version built on Microsoft Graph. The change covers every Microsoft 365 plan that includes Exchange Online and does not change EWS in Exchange Server, but Exchange hybrid free/busy and Skype for Business Server hybrid both depend on it and need Microsoft's replacement updates or settings before that date. Key dates: 1 October 2026: Phased disablement starts: EWS is turned off in tenants that have not chosen to keep it; 1 April 2027: EWS fully and permanently disabled in Exchange Online. **What UK customers should do:** Run the EWS usage report in the Microsoft 365 admin centre, ask each vendor on it for a Microsoft Graph version, and finish the move before 1 April 2027. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Exchange Online service description (EWS phased disablement from 1 October 2026, permanent retirement 1 April 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/exchange-online-service-description/exchange-online-service-description) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: Deprecation of Exchange Web Services in Exchange Online](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-ews-exchange-online), [Exchange Team blog: Exchange Online EWS, your time is almost up (5 February 2026, updated 27 October 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/exchange-online-ews-your-time-is-almost-up/4492361), [Exchange Team blog: EWS deprecation is here, what this means to you (1 October 2026, updated 26 October 2026: tenants already set to EWSEnabled True see no change until April 2027)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/ews-deprecation-is-here-what-this-means-to-you/ba-p/4561431), [Exchange Team blog: Exchange Online EWS application stopped working? Do this (21 October 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/exchange-online-ews-application-stopped-working-do-this-/4566215), [Exchange Team blog: Cross-tenant Free/Busy, MailTips and Calendar Sharing are moving to Cross-Tenant Access Policy](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/cross-tenant-free-busy-mailtips-and-calendar-sharing-are-moving/ba-p/4545169), [Skype for Business blog: Skype for Business Server hybrid, prepare for EWS retirement in Exchange Online (20 July 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/skype-for-business-blog/skype-for-business-server-hybrid-prepare-for-ews-retirement-in/ba-p/4539048) Related: [Microsoft 365 backup guide](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/backup/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-04-01-exchange-online-ews-retirement](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-04-01-exchange-online-ews-retirement) ## What is changing in January 2027? ### 12 January 2027: Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 reach end of support on 12 January 2027 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · Upcoming · Takes effect 12 January 2027 · Affects: Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2016, Office LTSC 2024 on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 Microsoft ends extended support for Windows Server 2016, and support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, on 12 January 2027. Microsoft 365 Apps has not been supported on Windows Server 2016 since 14 October 2025: it stays on Version 2602 and gets security updates only until 10 October 2028, and Microsoft recommends Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop for organisations whose servers no longer support the apps. Microsoft's Office and Windows support matrix also shows Office LTSC 2024 supported on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 only until January 2027. **What UK customers should do:** If anyone runs Microsoft 365 Apps on a Windows Server 2016 remote desktop server, or Office LTSC 2024 on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, move them to a supported Windows version, Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop before 12 January 2027. Source: [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021), [Microsoft Learn: Windows Server end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/end-of-support/windows-server-support), [Microsoft Lifecycle: Microsoft Office and Windows configuration support](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/office-windows-configuration-matrix), [Windows IT Pro blog: Plan for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 end of support](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/plan-for-windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021-end-of-support/ba-p/4539866) Related: [Windows Server 2016 end of life: your options](https://computecloud.co.uk/blog/windows-server-2016-end-of-support-options/), [Windows Server migration to Azure](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/windows-server/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-12-windows-server-2016-office-support-ends](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-12-windows-server-2016-office-support-ends) ### 6 January 2027: Defender for Cloud Apps file policies retire on 6 January 2027, and file data protection moves to Purview **Licence entitlements** · Upcoming · Takes effect 6 January 2027 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E7](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e7), [Microsoft Defender Suite](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-def), [Microsoft Purview Suite](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-purv), [Microsoft Defender + Purview Suites](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-dp), [Microsoft Defender Suite (Frontline)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f-def), [Microsoft Purview Suite (Frontline)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f-purv), [Microsoft Defender + Purview Suites (Frontline)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f-dp), [Microsoft 365 A5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a5), [Microsoft Defender Suite (Education)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a-def), [Microsoft Purview Suite (Education)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a-purv), Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, Microsoft Purview data loss prevention, Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 Microsoft will retire file policies in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps on 6 January 2027, so data loss prevention and labelling rules set up there for SharePoint, OneDrive and connected apps such as Box, Dropbox, Google Workspace and Salesforce stop being enforced. Microsoft wants them recreated as Microsoft Purview DLP or auto-labelling policies and provides a migration tool in the Defender portal, but its guidance says the replacements need a Microsoft 365 E5 or Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance licence or an equivalent standalone Purview DLP licence. Defender for Cloud Apps itself continues, with SaaS app discovery, posture management and threat detection. Note: Microsoft's guidance names Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft 365 E5 Compliance; it does not say whether the Microsoft Purview Suite counts as the equivalent licence. **What UK customers should do:** List your Defender for Cloud Apps file policies, check the people they cover hold a qualifying Purview licence, and migrate them before 6 January 2027. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Migrate file policies to Microsoft Purview (Defender for Cloud Apps)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-cloud-apps/migrate-file-policies-to-purview) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: What's new in Defender for Cloud Apps, June 2026 (file policies retiring 6 January 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-cloud-apps/release-notes), [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: DLP in Defender for Cloud Apps deprecation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#dlp-in-defender-for-cloud-apps-deprecation) Related: [Microsoft 365 E3 vs E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/e3-vs-e5/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-06-defender-cloud-apps-file-policies-retire) ### 1 January 2027: Microsoft will review local-currency cloud prices every 1 January, starting 1 January 2027 **Prices and billing** · Upcoming · Announced 8 July 2026 · Takes effect 1 January 2027 · Affects: Microsoft Commercial Cloud services priced in local currency Microsoft announced on 8 July 2026 that it will adjust local-currency prices for its Commercial Cloud services once a year on 1 January, starting on 1 January 2027, to reflect sustained exchange-rate movements. Microsoft will give guidance on each year's changes every November, with the details for January 2027 due in November 2026, and it has not yet said whether prices in pounds will change. Price changes to individual products, such as the July 2026 Microsoft 365 rise, will still be announced separately. **What UK customers should do:** Watch for Microsoft's November 2026 notice. If prices in pounds are due to change, list the subscriptions that renew on or after 1 January 2027, since Microsoft fixes a price only for the subscription's term, and consider buying any planned new subscriptions before that date. Source: [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: Annual local currency pricing updates for Commercial Cloud](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#annual-local-currency-pricing-updates-for-commercial-cloud) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: Billing overview for CSP (prices fixed for the term, may change at renewal)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/billing/billing-basics) Related: [Microsoft 365 pricing UK](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-annual-local-currency-price-updates](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-annual-local-currency-price-updates) ### 1 January 2027: Microsoft adds bundles of Copilot Business with Dynamics 365 Business Central from 1 January 2027 **Plans and SKUs** · Upcoming · Announced 5 November 2026 · Takes effect 1 January 2027 · Affects: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials, Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium From 1 January 2027 Microsoft will sell two permanent bundles through cloud solution providers that pair Microsoft 365 Copilot Business with Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials or Business Central Premium, for customers with up to 300 seats, and neither needs a Microsoft 365 plan. Microsoft's list prices in US dollars are US$95 and US$125 per user a month, US$6 less than buying the two separately, and it says local-currency prices will be available before the bundles are released; the bundles appear in the CSP price list preview on 1 December 2026. Copilot still depends on the Microsoft 365 apps and services each user is licensed for, and for Business Central customers who already have Microsoft 365, Microsoft points resellers to Business Standard or Business Premium with Copilot instead. Note: Microsoft has given only US dollar prices so far, and its announcement does not list the countries where the bundles will be sold. Key dates: 1 December 2026: Bundles appear in the CSP price list preview. **What UK customers should do:** If you run Business Central without Microsoft 365 and want Copilot, ask your reseller for the UK price of the bundle once Microsoft publishes it and compare it with buying the two separately; if you already have Microsoft 365, compare Business Standard or Business Premium with Copilot instead. Source: [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: New Business Central + Copilot bundled offers available January 1, 2027 (5 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#new-business-central--copilot-bundled-offers-available-january-1-2027) · Checked 7 November 2026 Related: [Dynamics 365 pricing UK](https://computecloud.co.uk/dynamics-365/pricing/), [Add-ons, suites and Copilot](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#add-ons-suites-and-copilot) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-business-central-copilot-business-bundles](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2027-01-01-business-central-copilot-business-bundles) ## What is changing in December 2026? ### December 2026: Microsoft turns off Basic authentication for SMTP AUTH in Exchange Online by default at the end of December 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · Upcoming · Announced 27 January 2026 · Takes effect December 2026 · Affects: Exchange Online SMTP AUTH client submission, Devices and apps that send email with a stored username and password Microsoft will turn off Basic authentication for SMTP AUTH client submission in Exchange Online by default for existing tenants at the end of December 2026, although admins will still be able to turn it back on, and tenants created after December 2026 will not have it by default, with OAuth as the supported method. Microsoft says it will announce the final removal date in the second half of 2027, so devices and applications that send email through SMTP AUTH with a username and password need to move to OAuth or another supported way of sending, such as the Microsoft Graph API. Note: Microsoft gives only the month ("end of December 2026"), so this change is dated December 2026 rather than a specific day. Key dates: December 2026: Basic authentication for SMTP AUTH off by default in existing tenants (admins can turn it back on) and unavailable by default in new tenants. **What UK customers should do:** Find the devices and business applications that send email through Exchange Online with a stored username and password, and move them to OAuth or another supported method before the end of December 2026. Source: [Exchange Team blog: Updated Exchange Online SMTP AUTH Basic authentication deprecation timeline (27 January 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/updated-exchange-online-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-deprecation-timeline/4489835) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: Deprecation of Basic authentication in Exchange Online](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-basic-authentication-exchange-online) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-01-27-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-timeline](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-01-27-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-timeline) ### 31 December 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot Business promotional prices end on 31 December 2026 **Prices and billing** · Upcoming · Announced 28 May 2026 · Takes effect 31 December 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Microsoft's promotional price for Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, £13.80 instead of £16.10 per user a month in the UK (annual subscription, ex VAT), and its 25% offer on Microsoft 365 Business Basic plus Copilot Business both end on 31 December 2026, and both apply to new annual subscriptions of 1 to 300 licences. The Copilot Business offer has run since 1 December 2025 and Microsoft has extended it twice; the Business Basic offer started on 1 July 2026. A promotional price lasts only for the subscription term it was bought on, so the subscription renews at the list price in force at renewal, although licences added to it during that term are also at the promotional price. Through resellers, the Copilot Business offer the promotion applies to stops being sold on 1 December 2026, when Microsoft replaces it with a new Copilot Business offer that does not need a Microsoft 365 plan, and Microsoft has not said whether the promotion moves to the new offer. Updated 1 November 2026: Microsoft's partner update of 29 October 2026 says Copilot Business stays available at its promotional price until 31 December 2026 for 1 to 300 licences on an annual subscription paid annually, and that from 1 December 2026 new Copilot Business purchases move to the new offers that do not need a Microsoft 365 plan, so resellers should confirm the right offer and promotion ID when they quote. It still does not say in so many words that the promotion applies to the new offers, so if you buy through a reseller from 1 December 2026, ask for the promotional price on the quote before you order. Key dates: 1 December 2026: The Copilot Business offer the promotion applies to stops being sold through resellers. **What UK customers should do:** If you want Copilot Business at the promotional price, buy it on an annual term before 31 December 2026, and before 1 December 2026 if you buy through a reseller: the current Copilot Business offer stops being sold through resellers that day, and Microsoft has not said whether the promotion moves to the new offer. Budget for the list price from the following renewal. Source: [Microsoft Partner blog: Partner-led momentum, broader availability for SMB (28 May 2026)](https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/article/partner-led-smb-m365-copilot) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: FY27 promotions for Microsoft 365 and Copilot](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#fy27-promotions-for-microsoft-365-and-copilot), [Partner Center announcements, December 2025: Now live, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business SKUs, bundles and promotions](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2025-december#now-live-microsoft-365-copilot-business-skus-bundles-and-promotions), [Microsoft Learn: Promotions in Partner Center (promotional price applies only for the subscription term; licences added during it are at the promotional price)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/pricing/promotions), [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Copilot offers and name updates (add-on offers end of sale in CSP on 1 December 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#copilot-offers-and-name-updates), [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Turn CSP promotions and incentives into Frontier Transformation opportunities (29 October 2026; Copilot Business promotion through 31 December 2026, new offers from 1 December 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#turn-csp-promotions-and-incentives-into-frontier-transformation-opportunities), [Microsoft 365 for business: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) Related: [Add-ons, suites and Copilot](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#add-ons-suites-and-copilot) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-copilot-business-promotions-end) ### 31 December 2026: Office Online Server reaches end of support on 31 December 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · Upcoming · Announced 21 October 2025 · Takes effect 31 December 2026 · Affects: Office Online Server Microsoft ends support for Office Online Server on 31 December 2026, so after that date it gets no security updates, bug fixes or technical support. Office Online Server provides browser versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for on-premises environments, and Microsoft's recommended path is Microsoft 365, which includes those apps on the web. Microsoft says that for SharePoint Server Subscription Edition and Exchange Server Subscription Edition, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and Office LTSC 2024 remain the supported desktop clients for viewing and editing documents. **What UK customers should do:** If your on-premises SharePoint or Exchange relies on Office Online Server for editing in the browser, plan the move to Microsoft 365 or to the desktop apps before 31 December 2026. Source: [Microsoft Lifecycle: Office Online Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/office-online-server) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Office End of Support blog: Announcing the retirement of Office Online Server (21 October 2025)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/officeeos/announcing-the-retirement-for-office-online-server/4462402) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-office-online-server-retirement](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-31-office-online-server-retirement) ### 1 December 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot can be bought without a Microsoft 365 plan from 1 December 2026 **Plans and SKUs** · Upcoming · Announced 14 October 2026 · Takes effect 1 December 2026 · Affects: Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business From 1 December 2026 Microsoft will sell new Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licences that do not need a qualifying Microsoft 365 base plan, through all channels and at the same price as today's licences (£23.10 and £16.10 per user a month in the UK, annual subscription, ex VAT). The current licences gained "(add-on)" in their names on 16 October 2026 and stop being sold to new cloud solution provider purchases on 1 December 2026, but existing customers can keep renewing them and changing seat numbers. Microsoft says this changes how Copilot is bought, not what it does, and Copilot still depends on the Microsoft 365 apps and services each user is licensed for. Key dates: 16 October 2026: Current Copilot licences renamed with "(add-on)"; 1 November 2026: New offers appear in the CSP price list preview; 1 December 2026: New offers on sale; add-on offers end of sale in CSP. **What UK customers should do:** No action is needed for existing Copilot subscriptions; if you or your reseller automate licensing, match on product and SKU IDs rather than names. Source: [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Copilot offers and name updates](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#copilot-offers-and-name-updates) · Checked 7 November 2026 Related: [Add-ons, suites and Copilot](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#add-ons-suites-and-copilot) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-without-base-licence](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-without-base-licence) ## What changed in November 2026? ### 2 November 2026: Microsoft adds fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Copilot licence **Licence entitlements** · In effect · Effective 2 November 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Microsoft 365 Apps for Business](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=apps-biz), [Office 365 E1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e1), [Office 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e3), [Office 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e5), [Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=apps-ent), [Microsoft 365 F1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f1), [Microsoft 365 F3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f3), [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), Copilot Chat, for people without a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence Microsoft began applying fair use limits to more Copilot Chat features for people without a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence on 2 November 2026 in organisations with 2,000 or fewer Microsoft 365 seats, and starts on 9 November 2026 in larger ones, as it already does for features such as image generation. Copilot Chat stays included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and no admin action is needed: a user who reaches a limit is told in the product when the feature will be available again, and a response already in progress is not cut off. Microsoft sets the limits, does not publish them because they can change, and admins cannot see or adjust them; in most organisations the limit message lets the user ask an admin for a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence. Note: Microsoft has not said which Copilot Chat features the new limits cover. Its partner notice refers to commercial tenants and does not say whether education tenants are included. Key dates: 2 November 2026: Limits start in organisations with 2,000 or fewer Microsoft 365 seats; 9 November 2026: Limits start in organisations with more than 2,000 Microsoft 365 seats. **What UK customers should do:** Tell your help desk that a Copilot Chat limit message is expected, not a fault, and check who approves licence requests in the Microsoft 365 admin centre, and whether staff can buy Copilot themselves, before people start asking for licences. Source: [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Copilot Chat, limits for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license (4 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#copilot-chat-limits-for-users-without-a-microsoft-365-copilot-license) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Support: Limits for features in Microsoft Copilot Chat](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365-copilot/standard-versus-priority-access-to-features-in-microsoft-365-copilot-chat) Related: [Add-ons, suites and Copilot](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#add-ons-suites-and-copilot) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-02-copilot-chat-fair-use-limits) ### 1 November 2026: Microsoft ends AI Builder capacity add-ons on 1 November 2026, and Copilot Credits replace AI Builder credits **Plans and SKUs** · In effect · Effective 1 November 2026 · Affects: AI Builder capacity add-ons, AI Builder credits in Power Apps and Power Automate premium licences, Copilot Credits Microsoft stopped selling AI Builder capacity add-ons to new customers on 1 November 2025, and on 1 November 2026 they reach end of life, so existing customers can no longer renew them or buy more and need to turn off auto-renew. Credits already bought can be used until the add-on's term ends. On the same date, Power Apps and Power Automate premium licences stop coming with AI Builder credits, although credits already included are honoured to the end of the contract term. AI Builder features keep working and use Copilot Credits once AI Builder credits run out. Key dates: 1 November 2025: AI Builder capacity add-ons no longer sold to new customers; 1 November 2026: End of life: existing customers can no longer renew or buy AI Builder capacity add-ons, and premium licences stop including AI Builder credits. **What UK customers should do:** If you hold AI Builder capacity add-ons, turn off auto-renew before the next renewal or ask your reseller to, and budget for Copilot Credits for the AI Builder features you still use once your current credits run out. Source: [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: AI Builder capacity add-ons retiring (22 October 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#ai-builder-capacity-add-ons-retiring) · Checked 1 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: End of AI Builder credits (calendar for capacity add-ons and seeded credits)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ai-builder/endofaibcredits) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-01-ai-builder-capacity-add-ons-end-of-life](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-11-01-ai-builder-capacity-add-ons-end-of-life) ## What changed in October 2026? ### 27 October 2026: Microsoft offers 30% off Microsoft 365 E3 to organisations that buy 300 or more new licences through a reseller, until 30 June 2027 **Prices and billing** · In effect · Announced 26 October 2026 · Effective 27 October 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), Microsoft 365 E3 (no Teams) Since 27 October 2026 Microsoft has offered 30% off Microsoft 365 E3, with or without Teams, to organisations that buy at least 300 licences on a new one-year subscription through a cloud solution provider (CSP), with annual or monthly billing, until 30 June 2027. The offer is aimed at organisations still on Office 365 with standalone Office apps or on on-premises software: fewer than half of their existing licences can be Office 365 E3 and fewer than 5% can be Microsoft 365, and organisations whose Office 365 licences renewed in 2026 do not qualify. Microsoft applies the discount to the net partner price, the price the reseller pays, and as with other Microsoft promotions the subscription renews at the list price in force at renewal. Note: Microsoft's announcement does not list the countries where the offer is available, so confirm with your reseller that it applies to a UK subscription. Key dates: 30 June 2027: Last day to buy Microsoft 365 E3 with the 30% promotional discount. **What UK customers should do:** If you have 300 or more users on Office 365 or on-premises software and are weighing Microsoft 365 E3, ask your reseller before 30 June 2027 whether you qualify and to show the discount on the quote, and budget for the full price from the first renewal. Source: [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Introducing a 30% promotional offer on Microsoft 365 E3 (26 October 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#introducing-a-30-promotional-offer-on-microsoft-365-e3) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Turn CSP promotions and incentives into Frontier Transformation opportunities (29 October 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#turn-csp-promotions-and-incentives-into-frontier-transformation-opportunities), [Microsoft Learn: Promotions in Partner Center (promotional price applies only for the subscription term)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/pricing/promotions) Related: [Microsoft 365 E3 vs E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/e3-vs-e5/), [Microsoft 365 Enterprise prices](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#microsoft-365-enterprise-plans), [Free Microsoft 365 licensing assessment](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/assessment/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-27-microsoft-365-e3-30-percent-promotion](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-27-microsoft-365-e3-30-percent-promotion) ### 13 October 2026: Office LTSC 2021 and Office 2021 reached end of support on 13 October 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · In effect · Effective 13 October 2026 · Affects: Office LTSC 2021, Project LTSC 2021, Visio LTSC 2021, Office 2021 (Home and Business, Home and Student, Professional) Microsoft ended support for Office LTSC 2021, Project LTSC 2021 and Visio LTSC 2021, and for the one-off Office 2021 editions such as Office Home and Business 2021, on 13 October 2026, so they no longer get security updates, fixes or technical support. The apps keep working, but Microsoft 365 Copilot does not work with on-premises Office. Microsoft's supported replacements are a Microsoft 365 plan with the desktop apps or, where the cloud is not an option, Office LTSC 2024, Project LTSC 2024 and Visio LTSC 2024. **What UK customers should do:** Move remaining Office 2021 users to a plan with the desktop apps, such as Business Standard or Business Premium for up to 300 users or Microsoft 365 E3 above that, or to Office LTSC 2024 where the cloud is ruled out. Source: [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Office LTSC 2021 end of support](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#office-ltsc-2021-end-of-support) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Lifecycle: Office LTSC 2021](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/office-ltsc-2021), [Microsoft Lifecycle: Office 2021](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/office-2021) Related: [Compare plans with the desktop apps](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=plans) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-13-office-2021-end-of-support](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-13-office-2021-end-of-support) ### 13 October 2026: Microsoft 365 Apps support on Windows Server 2022 ended on 13 October 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · In effect · Effective 13 October 2026 · Affects: Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022, Project and Visio subscription desktop apps on Windows Server 2022 Microsoft supports Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022 only while that server is in mainstream support, which ended on 13 October 2026, so running the apps there, for example on remote desktop servers, is now an unsupported configuration. Microsoft will keep providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022 until 10 October 2028, but feature updates stop at Version 2608, and the same applies to the subscription versions of the Project and Visio desktop apps. Microsoft recommends Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop where a server no longer supports the apps, and supports Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2025 while that is in mainstream support, which ends in October 2029. Key dates: 10 October 2028: Security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022 end. **What UK customers should do:** If you run Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows Server 2022 remote desktop servers, plan the move to Windows Server 2025, Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop before security updates end on 10 October 2028. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Windows Server end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/end-of-support/windows-server-support) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2022](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022), [Microsoft Lifecycle: Microsoft Office and Windows configuration support](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/office-windows-configuration-matrix) Related: [Windows Server migration to Azure](https://computecloud.co.uk/azure/migration/windows-server/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-13-microsoft-365-apps-windows-server-2022](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-13-microsoft-365-apps-windows-server-2022) ### 1 October 2026: Pay-as-you-go billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business licences, now planned for January to March 2027 **Prices and billing** · No date yet · Announced 1 October 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), Microsoft 365 Copilot Business, Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot, Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot Microsoft plans to switch on usage-based (pay-as-you-go) billing by default for new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licences bought through cloud solution providers, including standalone licences and bundles such as Business Premium with Copilot, with the rollout planned to begin between January and March 2027 (Microsoft's FY27 Q3). A new purchase also switches it on for the Copilot Business licences the tenant already has. The default spending limit is 4,000 Copilot Credits per user a month, which admins can change, and charges are for actual use of metered features such as Copilot Cowork, Work IQ APIs and GitHub Copilot Harness. Microsoft has moved the start twice, from 2 November to 1 December 2026 and then to the first three months of 2027, and says the new timeline applies in every market. Updated 7 November 2026: Microsoft has moved this change again. Its partner update of 3 November 2026 says usage-based billing will be on by default for new Copilot Business subscriptions bought through cloud solution providers during its FY27 Q3, January to March 2027, "instead of December 1, 2026, as previously announced", and it gives no exact date. It adds that a new purchase also switches usage-based billing on for the tenant's existing Copilot Business licences, and that the new timeline applies in all markets. This entry no longer gives a date: until Microsoft sets one, the change is listed under announcements without a date. Microsoft moved the announcement from its October 2026 partner announcements page to its November 2026 page, so the source link has changed. **What UK customers should do:** Pay-as-you-go billing is no longer switched on by default on 1 December 2026. Before you buy more Copilot Business licences through a reseller from January 2027, ask whether pay-as-you-go billing will be switched on, since a new purchase also switches it on for the Copilot Business licences you already have, and set a spending limit that matches your budget before people use metered features such as Copilot Cowork. Source: [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Availability update, usage-based billing for new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licenses (3 November 2026; now January to March 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#availability-update-updates-to-usage-based-billing-for-new-microsoft-365-copilot-business-licenses-and-partner-center-sandbox-environments) · Checked 7 November 2026 Related: [Annual or monthly, and what the price leaves out](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#annual-or-monthly-and-what-the-price-leaves-out) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-12-01-copilot-business-usage-billing-default) ### 1 October 2026: Microsoft Publisher reached end of life, and Microsoft began removing it from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · In effect · Effective 1 October 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Microsoft 365 Apps for Business](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=apps-biz), [Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=apps-ent), [Office 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e3), [Office 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E7](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e7), Microsoft Publisher Microsoft began removing Publisher from Microsoft 365 subscriptions on or shortly after 1 October 2026, so people on plans that included it, such as Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium, Apps for business and Office 365 E3, can no longer install it or open and edit Publisher files in it. Support for perpetual versions of Publisher ended on 13 October 2026, with Office LTSC 2021 and Office 2021, although those copies can still be installed and used. Microsoft recommends converting Publisher files to PDF or Word and using Word or PowerPoint instead. Key dates: 1 October 2026: Removal from Microsoft 365 subscriptions starts; 13 October 2026: Support for perpetual Publisher ends. **What UK customers should do:** Find anyone who still relies on Publisher files and convert them to PDF or Word, using a licensed perpetual copy of Publisher if the subscription copy has already gone. Source: [Microsoft Support: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/publisher/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 apps service description (plans that include Publisher)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/office-applications-service-description/office-applications-service-description) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-10-01-publisher-removed-from-microsoft-365) ## What changed in September 2026? ### 30 September 2026: Microsoft retired Project Online on 30 September 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · In effect · Announced 5 September 2025 · Effective 30 September 2026 · Affects: Project Online (Project Web App), Project desktop connections to Project Online Microsoft retired Project Online on 30 September 2026, so Project Web App, its project, schedule, timesheet and resource data, its reporting feeds and APIs, and Project desktop's connection to it no longer work, and Microsoft says that data is no longer accessible through Project Online. Microsoft stopped selling Project Online-only SKUs to new customers on 1 October 2025 and stopped new Project Web App instances on 1 April 2026. Project desktop, Project Server and Planner are not affected, and Microsoft's suggested replacements are Planner, with the premium features in Planner and Project Plan 3 and Plan 5, Project Server Subscription Edition or Dynamics 365 Project Operations. Key dates: 1 October 2025: End of sale of Project Online-only SKUs to new customers; 1 April 2026: No new Project Online tenants or Project Web App instances. **What UK customers should do:** If you used Project Online, confirm the project data you need was exported, and at renewal check that each Planner and Project Plan 3 or Plan 5 licence is still needed for Planner's premium features or Project desktop. Source: [Microsoft Lifecycle: Project Online](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/project-online) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Planner blog: Microsoft Project Online is retiring, what you need to know (5 September 2025)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/plannerblog/microsoft-project-online-is-retiring-what-you-need-to-know/4450558), [Microsoft Learn: Prepare for Project Online retirement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/planner/prepare-for-project-online-retirement) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-09-30-project-online-retired](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-09-30-project-online-retired) ## What changed in August 2026? ### 1 August 2026: Microsoft adds Defender, Intune, mailbox and Copilot Chat features to the Microsoft 365 suites **Licence entitlements** · In effect · Announced 4 December 2025 · Effective 1 August 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Office 365 E1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e1), [Office 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e3), [Office 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E7](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e7), [Microsoft 365 F1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f1), [Microsoft 365 F3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f3) Microsoft added Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 to Office 365 E3 and Microsoft 365 E3, and Intune Plan 2, Intune Remote Help and Intune Advanced Analytics to Microsoft 365 E3, with rollout from June 2026 that Microsoft said would be complete by 1 August 2026, and existing subscriptions get them whatever price or term they are on. Microsoft 365 E5, and so E7, also gains Intune Endpoint Privilege Management, Intune Enterprise Application Management, Microsoft Cloud PKI and Security Copilot, which has been rolling out to E5 tenants since 18 November 2025 at 400 Security Compute Units a month for every 1,000 paid users. Business Basic, Standard and Premium get 50 GB more mailbox storage, Business Basic, Business Standard and Office 365 E1 get URL time-of-click protection, and every suite gets Copilot Chat enhancements and Copilot Chat Analytics. Key dates: June 2026: Rollout begins, with 30 days' notice in Message Center; 1 August 2026: Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 and Intune additions complete. **What UK customers should do:** Check Message Center for the rollout notices and, at renewal, drop any separately bought Defender for Office 365 Plan 1, Intune Plan 2, Remote Help or Advanced Analytics add-ons that your suite now includes, and on Microsoft 365 E5 check how much Security Copilot capacity you still need to buy. Source: [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 pricing and packaging updates](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-m365-packaging-pricing-updates) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 packaging and pricing updates FAQ](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-M365-Packaging-Pricing-Updates-FAQ), [Microsoft 365 blog: Advancing Microsoft 365, new capabilities and pricing update (4 December 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/12/04/advancing-microsoft-365-new-capabilities-and-pricing-update/), [Partner Center announcements, December 2025: Access Security Copilot with Microsoft 365 E5](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2025-december#access-security-copilot-with-microsoft-365-e5) Related: [Microsoft 365 E3 vs E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/e3-vs-e5/), [Plan comparison tool](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions) ## What changed in July 2026? ### 14 July 2026: SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019, Project Server 2016 and 2019 and SharePoint Designer 2013 reached end of extended support on 14 July 2026 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · In effect · Effective 14 July 2026 · Affects: SharePoint Server 2016, SharePoint Server 2019, Project Server 2016, Project Server 2019, SharePoint Designer 2013 Microsoft's extended support for SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 ended on 14 July 2026, the last date in their Fixed Lifecycle Policy, so Microsoft no longer provides support or updates for them, and Project Server 2016, Project Server 2019 and SharePoint Designer 2013 reached the end of extended support on the same day. Organisations still running any of them on their own servers are on unsupported software. Microsoft's migration guidance points SharePoint Server customers to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition and SharePoint Designer workflow users to Power Automate. **What UK customers should do:** If you still run SharePoint Server or Project Server 2016 or 2019, plan a move to SharePoint Online in your Microsoft 365 plan or to the Subscription Edition releases, and rebuild any SharePoint Designer 2013 workflows in Power Automate. Source: [Microsoft Lifecycle: SharePoint Server 2019](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sharepoint-server-2019) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Lifecycle: SharePoint Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sharepoint-server-2016), [Microsoft Lifecycle: Project Server 2019](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/project-server-2019), [Microsoft Lifecycle: Project Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/project-server-2016), [Microsoft Lifecycle: SharePoint Designer 2013](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sharepoint-designer-2013) Related: [Microsoft 365 licensing guide](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-14-sharepoint-server-2016-2019-end-of-support](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-14-sharepoint-server-2016-2019-end-of-support) ### 1 July 2026: Microsoft 365 prices increased on most business, enterprise and frontline plans; Business Premium and Office 365 E1 unchanged **Prices and billing** · In effect · Announced 4 December 2025 · Effective 1 July 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Apps for Business](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=apps-biz), [Office 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e3), [Office 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e5), [Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=apps-ent), [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 F1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f1), [Microsoft 365 F3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f3), Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 and E5, Windows E3 and E5, Microsoft Entra ID P1 and P2 Microsoft raised list prices for most Microsoft 365 and Office 365 commercial suites on 1 July 2026, for example Microsoft 365 Business Basic from £4.60 to £5.40 and Microsoft 365 E3 from £31.00 to £33.50 per user a month (annual subscription, ex VAT); new subscriptions paid the new price at once and existing subscriptions move to it at their first renewal on or after 1 July 2026. Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1 did not change, standalone Teams and Copilot licences and education prices were not included, and charity prices rose in line because they are a fixed discount on the commercial price. Microsoft says the rise reflects the innovation delivered over several years and the security, management and AI features added to the suites in 2026. Note: Before-and-after UK prices are in the pricing page table. The previous UK prices are as reported by UK resellers; Microsoft's announcement gives US dollar prices and says local prices may vary by country and currency. **What UK customers should do:** Check each subscription's renewal date, budget for the new price from that renewal, and review whether every user needs their current plan before it renews. Source: [Microsoft 365 blog: Advancing Microsoft 365, new capabilities and pricing update (4 December 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/12/04/advancing-microsoft-365-new-capabilities-and-pricing-update/) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 pricing and packaging updates](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-m365-packaging-pricing-updates), [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 packaging and pricing updates FAQ](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-M365-Packaging-Pricing-Updates-FAQ), [Partner Center announcements, December 2025: Pricing and packaging updates for commercial Microsoft 365 suites coming in 2026](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2025-december#pricing-and-packaging-updates-for-commercial-microsoft-365-suites-coming-in-2026), [Microsoft 365 for business: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing), [Trusted Tech Team UK, July 2026 (UK reseller; previous UK prices)](https://trustedtechteam.co.uk/blogs/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-price-increases-2026-uk-and-eu) Related: [What changed on 1 July 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#what-changed-on-1-july-2026), [Free Microsoft 365 licensing assessment](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/assessment/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-commercial-price-rise) ### 1 July 2026: Business Standard and Business Premium with Copilot become permanent plans **Plans and SKUs** · In effect · Announced 28 May 2026 · Effective 1 July 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot, Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot On 1 July 2026 Microsoft turned its promotional Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Copilot and Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot bundles into permanent plans for up to 300 users, at £18.10 and £24.60 per user a month with Teams (£15.60 and £22.10 without) on an annual subscription, ex VAT. Microsoft set the permanent prices at the former promotional level (US$23.50 and US$32 in the US), so there is no longer a promotion end date to plan around. Business Basic, Standard and Premium are still sold on their own for customers who would rather add Copilot separately. **What UK customers should do:** If most of your Business Standard or Business Premium users will get Copilot, compare the bundle with the plan plus the Copilot Business add-on at your next renewal. Source: [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: Now available, Microsoft 365 Business with Copilot SKUs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#now-available-microsoft-365-business-with-copilot-skus) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Partner Center announcements, June 2026: New Microsoft 365 Business with Copilot SKUs available July 1](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#new-microsoft-365-business-with-copilot-skus-available-july-1), [Microsoft Partner blog: Partner-led momentum, broader availability for SMB (28 May 2026)](https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/article/partner-led-smb-m365-copilot), [Microsoft 365 for business: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) Related: [Business Premium vs Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/business-premium-vs-business-standard/), [Add-ons, suites and Copilot](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#add-ons-suites-and-copilot) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-business-with-copilot-skus](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-07-01-business-with-copilot-skus) ## What changed in June 2026? ### 30 June 2026: Microsoft retired Teams live events on 30 June 2026; events already booked run until 28 February 2027 **Lifecycle and retirement dates** · In effect · Announced 3 February 2026 · Effective 30 June 2026 · Affects: Microsoft Teams live events, Teams town halls Microsoft retired Microsoft Teams live events on 30 June 2026, having stopped people booking them for any later date from 3 February 2026, but it will honour live events scheduled before the retirement until 28 February 2027. Microsoft's replacement is Teams town halls within its new Teams events experience, and Microsoft says no admin action is needed for the retirement itself. Key dates: 3 February 2026: No new live events can be booked for any date after 30 June 2026; 28 February 2027: Last day for live events booked before 30 June 2026. **What UK customers should do:** Live events already booked still run until 28 February 2027, so recreate any booked for a later date as a Teams town hall, and use town halls for anything new. Source: [Microsoft Teams blog: Retiring Teams live events, the next chapter for events at scale (3 February 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftteamsblog/retiring-teams-live-events-the-next-chapter-for-events-at-scale-in-microsoft-tea/4486465) · Checked 1 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Teams service description (scheduled live events run through 28 February 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/teams-service-description), [Microsoft Support: Switch from Microsoft Teams live events to town halls](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/meetings/switch-from-microsoft-teams-live-events-to-town-halls) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-30-teams-live-events-retired](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-30-teams-live-events-retired) ### 1 June 2026: Microsoft retires the standalone SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business plans **Plans and SKUs** · In effect · Announced 28 January 2026 · Effective 1 June 2026 · Affects: SharePoint Online Plan 1, SharePoint Online Plan 2, OneDrive for Business Plan 1, OneDrive for Business Plan 2 Microsoft stopped selling the standalone SharePoint Online Plan 1 and Plan 2 and OneDrive for Business Plan 1 and Plan 2 licences to new customers after 31 May 2026, and existing customers can renew only until January 2027, after which current contracts run to their end date. The plans are fully retired in December 2029, by which time customers must move to a Microsoft 365 suite, storage capacity packs or pay-as-you-go storage. Microsoft gave low demand, non-standard use and running costs as its reasons. Key dates: 31 May 2026: Last day for new customers; January 2027: End of life: no more renewals; contracts run to expiry; December 2029: End of service. **What UK customers should do:** If you license anyone on a standalone SharePoint or OneDrive plan, choose the Microsoft 365 suite or storage option that replaces it before your last renewal ahead of January 2027. Source: [Partner Center announcements, January 2026: Retirement of standalone SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business plans](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-january#retirement-of-standalone-sharepoint-online-and-onedrive-for-business-plans-plan-1-and-plan-2) · Checked 7 November 2026 Related: [Plan comparison tool](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=plans) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-sharepoint-onedrive-standalone-end-of-sale](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-sharepoint-onedrive-standalone-end-of-sale) ### 1 June 2026: Agent 365 now needs Business Premium, E5 or the Defender and Purview suites **Licence entitlements** · In effect · Announced 4 June 2026 · Effective 1 June 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E7](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e7), [Microsoft 365 A5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a5), [Microsoft Defender Suite](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-def), [Microsoft Purview Suite](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-purv), [Microsoft Defender + Purview Suites (Frontline)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f-dp), [Microsoft Defender Suite (Education)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a-def), [Microsoft Purview Suite (Education)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a-purv), Microsoft Agent 365 Since 1 June 2026 Microsoft has required new purchases of Microsoft Agent 365, its licence for governing AI agents, to sit on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 E5 or A5, or the Microsoft Defender Suite and Microsoft Purview Suite, including their Frontline and Education versions. Customers without one of these may not get some Agent 365 capabilities. Microsoft 365 E7 already includes both Agent 365 and E5, so E7 customers are not affected. **What UK customers should do:** Before buying Agent 365, check that the people it will cover already hold one of the qualifying plans. Source: [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: New licensing prerequisite for Agent 365](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#new-licensing-prerequisite-for-agent-365) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Partner Center announcements, June 2026: New licensing prerequisite for Agent 365](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#new-licensing-prerequisite-for-agent-365) Related: [Microsoft 365 E3 vs E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/e3-vs-e5/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-06-01-agent-365-licence-prerequisite) ## What changed in May 2026? ### 1 May 2026: Microsoft launches Microsoft 365 E7, the Frontier Suite **Plans and SKUs** · In effect · Announced 9 March 2026 · Effective 1 May 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 E7](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e7), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), Microsoft 365 E7, Microsoft Agent 365 Microsoft made Microsoft 365 E7 generally available on 1 May 2026 as a new top enterprise plan that combines Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 Copilot, the Microsoft Entra Suite and Agent 365, at £81.60 per user a month with Teams or £75.00 without (UK list, annual subscription, ex VAT) and US$99 in the US. E7 was not part of the 1 July 2026 price rise, but the features added to Microsoft 365 E5 in 2026 also apply to it, and Agent 365 went on sale separately on the same day. Cloud solution providers could offer launch discounts of 10% or 15% on one-year terms and 15% on three-year terms, which ended for new purchases on 30 September 2026. Key dates: 30 September 2026: Last day for E7 launch promotions through cloud solution providers. **What UK customers should do:** If you already pay for Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft 365 Copilot for the same people, compare that combined cost with E7 at your next renewal. Source: [Official Microsoft Blog: Introducing the first Frontier Suite built on Intelligence + Trust (9 March 2026)](https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2026/03/09/introducing-the-first-frontier-suite-built-on-intelligence-trust/) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Partner blog: Lead Frontier Transformation with Microsoft 365 E7, now generally available (1 May 2026)](https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/article/microsoft-365-e7-general-availability), [Partner Center announcements, April 2026: SKUs and promotions for CSP transactability May 1](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-april#skus-and-promotions-for-csp-transactability-may-1), [Partner Center announcements, August 2026: Microsoft 365 promotion updates](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-august#microsoft-365-promotion-updates), [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 packaging and pricing updates FAQ (E7 not in the July 2026 rise)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-M365-Packaging-Pricing-Updates-FAQ), [Microsoft 365 Enterprise: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/enterprise/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) Related: [Microsoft 365 E3 vs E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/e3-vs-e5/), [Microsoft 365 Enterprise prices](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#microsoft-365-enterprise-plans) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-microsoft-365-e7-launch](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-microsoft-365-e7-launch) ### 1 May 2026: Microsoft 365 Copilot can be bought on a three-year term through cloud solution providers **Prices and billing** · In effect · Announced 13 May 2026 · Effective 1 May 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), Microsoft 365 Copilot Since 1 May 2026 Microsoft has sold Microsoft 365 Copilot on a three-year term through cloud solution providers for purchases of 100 or more licences, in line with the existing three-year terms for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. A three-year term fixes the price for the whole term, and from 1 June to 30 September 2026 Microsoft offered 15% off three-year commitments of 300 or more licences. **What UK customers should do:** If you are rolling Copilot out to 100 or more people for the long term, ask your reseller to quote both the one-year and the three-year term. Source: [Partner Center announcements, May 2026: New three-year CSP purchasing option for Microsoft 365 Copilot](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-may#new-three-year-cloud-solution-provider-csp-purchasing-option-for-microsoft-365-copilot-now-available) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Partner Center announcements, June 2026: New Microsoft 365 Copilot promotion, 15% on three-year commitments for 300+ licenses](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#new-microsoft-365-copilot-promotion-customers-can-save-15-on-three-year-commitments-for-300-licenses) Related: [Add-ons, suites and Copilot](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#add-ons-suites-and-copilot) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-copilot-three-year-term](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-05-01-copilot-three-year-term) ## What changed in April 2026? ### 1 April 2026: Teams events are licensed in two tiers, and the advanced event features moved from Teams Premium into the Enterprise plans **Licence entitlements** · In effect · Effective 1 April 2026 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Office 365 E1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e1), [Office 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e3), [Office 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e5), [Microsoft 365 F1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f1), [Microsoft 365 F3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f3), [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E7](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e7), [Microsoft 365 A1 (legacy)](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a1), [Microsoft 365 A3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a3), [Microsoft 365 A5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=a5), Microsoft Teams events (webinars and town halls), Microsoft Teams Premium, Attendee Capacity Pack for Teams events Since 1 April 2026 Microsoft has licensed Teams events, the webinars and town halls created in the Teams Events app, in two tiers, and moved the advanced event features that used to need Teams Premium into Teams Enterprise. Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium and Microsoft 365 F1 and F3 get the foundational features: events with registration, Q&A and attendance reports for up to 1,000 attendees, and view-only events with Q&A for up to 10,000. Office 365 E1, E3 and E5 and Microsoft 365 E3, E5 and E7 also get the advanced features, including up to 3,000 attendees with chat, reactions, polls and Q&A, custom emails, waitlists, RTMP-In, Microsoft eCDN and event insights. Education plans follow the same split, with A3 and A5 for faculty in the advanced tier. Events above those sizes, up to 100,000 attendees, need an Attendee Capacity Pack, and Teams Premium bought after April 2026 no longer gives access to the event features, although Teams Premium licences bought before 1 April 2026 keep them until their term ends. **What UK customers should do:** If you pay for Teams Premium mainly for webinars or town halls, check at renewal whether your plan now includes the event features you use, and buy an Attendee Capacity Pack ahead of any event with more than 3,000 engaged or 10,000 view-only attendees. Source: [Microsoft Learn: Teams events licensing overview (event features by licence and the 1 April 2026 licensing changes)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/events-licensing) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Learn: Plan for Teams events (attendee limits with Teams Enterprise and with Attendee Capacity Packs)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/plan-events), [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Teams Premium licensing (licensing update for Teams Premium and Teams Enterprise, 1 April 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-add-on-licensing/licensing-enhance-teams) Related: [Compare Teams features by plan](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=plans) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-04-01-teams-events-licensing-tiers) ## What changed in November 2025? ### 1 November 2025: Microsoft brings back Enterprise suites with Teams and fixes the gap to the no-Teams price **Plans and SKUs** · In effect · Announced 12 September 2025 · Effective 1 November 2025 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic), [Microsoft 365 Business Standard](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-std), [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Office 365 E1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e1), [Office 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e3), [Office 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e5), [Microsoft 365 E3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e3), [Microsoft 365 E5](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=m365-e5), [Microsoft 365 F3](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=f3), Microsoft Teams Enterprise, Microsoft Teams Essentials From 1 November 2025 Microsoft again let new customers worldwide, including in the UK, buy Microsoft 365 and Office 365 Enterprise suites with Teams as well as without, and set a minimum price gap between the two versions of each suite under its commitments to the European Commission. In the UK today, Microsoft 365 E5 is £51.60 with Teams and £45.00 without, and Business Premium is £16.90 and £14.40 (per user a month, annual subscription, ex VAT), while Microsoft Teams Enterprise on its own is £6.60. Microsoft holds the gaps constant in US dollars for the seven-year enforcement period, so the gaps in pounds can move with exchange rates. Note: Microsoft Learn's page on Teams add-on licences, last updated on 1 April 2026, still says the Enterprise suites that include Teams "are no longer available for purchase by new customers". That was Microsoft's position from April 2024: its licensing FAQ says that as of 1 November 2025 these suites "will again be available to all customers, worldwide, in all channels", and its licensing update of 3 November 2025 says they "are once again available to all customers, new and existing". **What UK customers should do:** At each renewal, check whether the no-Teams version plus separate Teams licences for the people who need them costs less than the Teams version for everyone. Source: [Microsoft blog: Evolving our productivity offerings to resolve European competition concerns about Teams (12 September 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/12/evolving-our-productivity-offerings-to-resolve-european-competition-concerns-about-teams/) · Checked 7 November 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Licensing FAQ: Microsoft Teams (end of sale on Enterprise suites with Teams reversed worldwide from 1 November 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/faqs/10), [Microsoft Licensing: Updates to Microsoft 365 licensing worldwide (3 November 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/microsoft365-teams-2025), [Microsoft Product Terms: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Customer Agreement (E3, E5 and E7 listed with and without Teams)](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/MCA), [Microsoft 365 for business: plans without Teams (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/no-teams-plans-and-pricing) Related: [Microsoft 365 pricing UK, with and without Teams](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-11-01-teams-suites-and-price-gaps) ## What changed in July 2025? ### 1 July 2025: Microsoft ends the free Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grants for charities **Prices and billing** · In effect · Announced 14 May 2025 · Effective 1 July 2025 · Affects: [Microsoft 365 Business Premium](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-prem), [Office 365 E1](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=o365-e1), [Microsoft 365 Business Basic](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/#tab=compare&c=biz-basic) Microsoft ended its free Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grants for eligible charities at each organisation's next renewal on or after 1 July 2025, for licences held through cloud solution providers or bought direct online. Charities keep up to 300 free Microsoft 365 Business Basic licences and discounts of up to 75% on many paid plans, so Business Premium now costs an eligible UK charity £4.20 per user a month rather than £16.90 (annual subscription, ex VAT). Charity prices also rose on 1 July 2026, because Microsoft sets them as a fixed percentage discount on the commercial price. **What UK customers should do:** If your charity has not reviewed its licences since the grant ended, check which staff need Business Premium and which can use the free Business Basic licences. Source: [Microsoft Tech Community: Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grant discontinuation (May 2025)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/nonprofitpartners/announcement-microsoft-365-business-premium--office-365-e1-grant-discontinuation/4415334) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Also: [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 pricing and packaging updates (nonprofit pricing update)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-m365-packaging-pricing-updates), [Microsoft 365 for nonprofits: business plans (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/nonprofit-plans-and-pricing) Related: [Charity and education pricing](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#charity-and-education-pricing) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-07-01-nonprofit-business-premium-e1-grants-end](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-07-01-nonprofit-business-premium-e1-grants-end) ## What changed in April 2025? ### 1 April 2025: Microsoft added 5% to the price of annual subscriptions paid monthly from 1 April 2025 **Prices and billing** · In effect · Announced 12 November 2024 · Effective 1 April 2025 · Affects: Microsoft 365 and Office 365 annual subscriptions paid monthly, Enterprise Mobility + Security, Windows 365 and other online services paid monthly, Microsoft 365 Copilot annual subscriptions paid monthly From 1 April 2025 Microsoft has charged 5% more for an annual subscription paid monthly than for the same subscription paid yearly in advance, for new subscriptions and at renewal, whether it is bought online, through a cloud solution provider (CSP) or under a Microsoft Customer Agreement for enterprise. Microsoft says this covers all annual subscriptions with a monthly billing option, including Microsoft 365, Office 365, Enterprise Mobility + Security and Windows 365, and that local prices may vary slightly because of exchange rates, local pricing policies and rounding. The monthly billing option for annual Microsoft 365 Copilot subscriptions, available since 1 December 2024, was priced 5% higher from the start. The uplift applies to annual subscriptions paid monthly, not to month-to-month subscriptions. **What UK customers should do:** If you pay monthly for an annual subscription and can pay for the year in advance, switch to annual billing at your next renewal date to avoid the 5% uplift. Source: [Microsoft 365 blog: Flexible billing for Microsoft 365 Copilot, pricing updates for annual subscriptions and Teams Phone (12 November 2024)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft_365blog/flexible-billing-for-microsoft-365-copilot-pricing-updates-for-annual-subscripti/4288536) · Checked 24 October 2026 Related: [Annual or monthly, and what the price leaves out](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/#annual-or-monthly-and-what-the-price-leaves-out) Link to this change: [https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-04-01-monthly-billing-annual-subscriptions-5-percent](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-04-01-monthly-billing-annual-subscriptions-5-percent) ## How this log is kept The log is checked every week against Microsoft's own announcements, and was last checked on 7 November 2026. A person reviews each new entry and its sources before it is published. When something changes after publication, such as a date Microsoft moves, the entry keeps its link and gains a dated "Updated" line, so nothing is rewritten silently. Every entry has a permanent link ("Link to this change") that is never changed or reused, so you can bookmark, share or cite a single change. Each entry's own checked date is shown under it. Prices are Microsoft's UK list prices per user a month on an annual subscription, excluding VAT, for the versions with Teams unless stated, and match the [Microsoft 365 pricing page](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/pricing/) and the [plan comparison tool](https://computecloud.co.uk/tools/microsoft-365-plans/). Previous UK prices come from UK resellers, because Microsoft's UK pages only show the current price. The log covers business, enterprise, frontline, education and charity licensing, not Microsoft 365 Personal or Family. ComputeCloud is not affiliated with Microsoft; confirm terms, dates and prices with Microsoft or your licensing partner before you buy or renew. To get each new change as it is added, follow the [Atom feed for this log](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/feed.xml) in any feed reader. The weekly check covers: - [Partner Center announcements (Microsoft Learn)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/) - [Microsoft Licensing news](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/) - [Microsoft 365 blog](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/) - [Microsoft Partner blog](https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/) - [Microsoft Lifecycle (Microsoft Learn)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/) - [Microsoft 365 for business: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) - [Microsoft 365 Enterprise: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/enterprise/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) ## Which sources does this log use? Every Microsoft page cited in the entries above, newest entries first. A UK reseller is cited only for previous UK prices, and is marked. - [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 Education portfolio evolution (key dates, line-up, storage and retirements)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/instructor-materials/microsoft-365-education-portfolio) - [Microsoft Education blog: Future-ready education, evolving Microsoft 365 Education (5 November 2026)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/blog/2026/11/future-ready-education-evolving-microsoft-365-education/) - [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 Education portfolio evolution (5 November 2026)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/m365education-update) - [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Microsoft 365 Education portfolio update (5 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#microsoft-365-education-portfolio-update) - [Microsoft Learn: Exchange Online service description (EWS phased disablement from 1 October 2026, permanent retirement 1 April 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/exchange-online-service-description/exchange-online-service-description) - [Microsoft Learn: Deprecation of Exchange Web Services in Exchange Online](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-ews-exchange-online) - [Exchange Team blog: Exchange Online EWS, your time is almost up (5 February 2026, updated 27 October 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/exchange-online-ews-your-time-is-almost-up/4492361) - [Exchange Team blog: EWS deprecation is here, what this means to you (1 October 2026, updated 26 October 2026: tenants already set to EWSEnabled True see no change until April 2027)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/ews-deprecation-is-here-what-this-means-to-you/ba-p/4561431) - [Exchange Team blog: Exchange Online EWS application stopped working? Do this (21 October 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/exchange-online-ews-application-stopped-working-do-this-/4566215) - [Exchange Team blog: Cross-tenant Free/Busy, MailTips and Calendar Sharing are moving to Cross-Tenant Access Policy](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/cross-tenant-free-busy-mailtips-and-calendar-sharing-are-moving/ba-p/4545169) - [Skype for Business blog: Skype for Business Server hybrid, prepare for EWS retirement in Exchange Online (20 July 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/skype-for-business-blog/skype-for-business-server-hybrid-prepare-for-ews-retirement-in/ba-p/4539048) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021) - [Microsoft Learn: Windows Server end of support and Microsoft 365 Apps](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/end-of-support/windows-server-support) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Microsoft Office and Windows configuration support](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/office-windows-configuration-matrix) - [Windows IT Pro blog: Plan for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 end of support](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/plan-for-windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021-end-of-support/ba-p/4539866) - [Microsoft Learn: Migrate file policies to Microsoft Purview (Defender for Cloud Apps)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-cloud-apps/migrate-file-policies-to-purview) - [Microsoft Learn: What's new in Defender for Cloud Apps, June 2026 (file policies retiring 6 January 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-cloud-apps/release-notes) - [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: DLP in Defender for Cloud Apps deprecation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#dlp-in-defender-for-cloud-apps-deprecation) - [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: Annual local currency pricing updates for Commercial Cloud](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#annual-local-currency-pricing-updates-for-commercial-cloud) - [Microsoft Learn: Billing overview for CSP (prices fixed for the term, may change at renewal)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/billing/billing-basics) - [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: New Business Central + Copilot bundled offers available January 1, 2027 (5 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#new-business-central--copilot-bundled-offers-available-january-1-2027) - [Exchange Team blog: Updated Exchange Online SMTP AUTH Basic authentication deprecation timeline (27 January 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/exchange/updated-exchange-online-smtp-auth-basic-authentication-deprecation-timeline/4489835) - [Microsoft Learn: Deprecation of Basic authentication in Exchange Online](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-basic-authentication-exchange-online) - [Microsoft Partner blog: Partner-led momentum, broader availability for SMB (28 May 2026)](https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/article/partner-led-smb-m365-copilot) - [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: FY27 promotions for Microsoft 365 and Copilot](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#fy27-promotions-for-microsoft-365-and-copilot) - [Partner Center announcements, December 2025: Now live, Microsoft 365 Copilot Business SKUs, bundles and promotions](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2025-december#now-live-microsoft-365-copilot-business-skus-bundles-and-promotions) - [Microsoft Learn: Promotions in Partner Center (promotional price applies only for the subscription term; licences added during it are at the promotional price)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/pricing/promotions) - [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Copilot offers and name updates (add-on offers end of sale in CSP on 1 December 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#copilot-offers-and-name-updates) - [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Turn CSP promotions and incentives into Frontier Transformation opportunities (29 October 2026; Copilot Business promotion through 31 December 2026, new offers from 1 December 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#turn-csp-promotions-and-incentives-into-frontier-transformation-opportunities) - [Microsoft 365 for business: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Office Online Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/office-online-server) - [Office End of Support blog: Announcing the retirement of Office Online Server (21 October 2025)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/officeeos/announcing-the-retirement-for-office-online-server/4462402) - [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Copilot Chat, limits for users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license (4 November 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#copilot-chat-limits-for-users-without-a-microsoft-365-copilot-license) - [Microsoft Support: Limits for features in Microsoft Copilot Chat](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365-copilot/standard-versus-priority-access-to-features-in-microsoft-365-copilot-chat) - [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: AI Builder capacity add-ons retiring (22 October 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#ai-builder-capacity-add-ons-retiring) - [Microsoft Learn: End of AI Builder credits (calendar for capacity add-ons and seeded credits)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ai-builder/endofaibcredits) - [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Introducing a 30% promotional offer on Microsoft 365 E3 (26 October 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#introducing-a-30-promotional-offer-on-microsoft-365-e3) - [Partner Center announcements, October 2026: Office LTSC 2021 end of support](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-october#office-ltsc-2021-end-of-support) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Office LTSC 2021](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/office-ltsc-2021) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Office 2021](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/office-2021) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2022](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022) - [Partner Center announcements, November 2026: Availability update, usage-based billing for new Microsoft 365 Copilot Business licenses (3 November 2026; now January to March 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-november#availability-update-updates-to-usage-based-billing-for-new-microsoft-365-copilot-business-licenses-and-partner-center-sandbox-environments) - [Microsoft Support: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/publisher/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026) - [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 apps service description (plans that include Publisher)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/office-applications-service-description/office-applications-service-description) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Project Online](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/project-online) - [Planner blog: Microsoft Project Online is retiring, what you need to know (5 September 2025)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/plannerblog/microsoft-project-online-is-retiring-what-you-need-to-know/4450558) - [Microsoft Learn: Prepare for Project Online retirement](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/planner/prepare-for-project-online-retirement) - [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 pricing and packaging updates](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-m365-packaging-pricing-updates) - [Microsoft Licensing: Microsoft 365 packaging and pricing updates FAQ](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/2026-M365-Packaging-Pricing-Updates-FAQ) - [Microsoft 365 blog: Advancing Microsoft 365, new capabilities and pricing update (4 December 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/12/04/advancing-microsoft-365-new-capabilities-and-pricing-update/) - [Partner Center announcements, December 2025: Access Security Copilot with Microsoft 365 E5](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2025-december#access-security-copilot-with-microsoft-365-e5) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: SharePoint Server 2019](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sharepoint-server-2019) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: SharePoint Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sharepoint-server-2016) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Project Server 2019](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/project-server-2019) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: Project Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/project-server-2016) - [Microsoft Lifecycle: SharePoint Designer 2013](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/sharepoint-designer-2013) - [Partner Center announcements, December 2025: Pricing and packaging updates for commercial Microsoft 365 suites coming in 2026](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2025-december#pricing-and-packaging-updates-for-commercial-microsoft-365-suites-coming-in-2026) - [Trusted Tech Team UK, July 2026 (UK reseller; previous UK prices)](https://trustedtechteam.co.uk/blogs/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-price-increases-2026-uk-and-eu) - [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: Now available, Microsoft 365 Business with Copilot SKUs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#now-available-microsoft-365-business-with-copilot-skus) - [Partner Center announcements, June 2026: New Microsoft 365 Business with Copilot SKUs available July 1](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#new-microsoft-365-business-with-copilot-skus-available-july-1) - [Microsoft Teams blog: Retiring Teams live events, the next chapter for events at scale (3 February 2026)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftteamsblog/retiring-teams-live-events-the-next-chapter-for-events-at-scale-in-microsoft-tea/4486465) - [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Teams service description (scheduled live events run through 28 February 2027)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/teams-service-description) - [Microsoft Support: Switch from Microsoft Teams live events to town halls](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/meetings/switch-from-microsoft-teams-live-events-to-town-halls) - [Partner Center announcements, January 2026: Retirement of standalone SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business plans](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-january#retirement-of-standalone-sharepoint-online-and-onedrive-for-business-plans-plan-1-and-plan-2) - [Partner Center announcements, July 2026: New licensing prerequisite for Agent 365](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-july#new-licensing-prerequisite-for-agent-365) - [Partner Center announcements, June 2026: New licensing prerequisite for Agent 365](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#new-licensing-prerequisite-for-agent-365) - [Official Microsoft Blog: Introducing the first Frontier Suite built on Intelligence + Trust (9 March 2026)](https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2026/03/09/introducing-the-first-frontier-suite-built-on-intelligence-trust/) - [Microsoft Partner blog: Lead Frontier Transformation with Microsoft 365 E7, now generally available (1 May 2026)](https://partner.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/article/microsoft-365-e7-general-availability) - [Partner Center announcements, April 2026: SKUs and promotions for CSP transactability May 1](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-april#skus-and-promotions-for-csp-transactability-may-1) - [Partner Center announcements, August 2026: Microsoft 365 promotion updates](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-august#microsoft-365-promotion-updates) - [Microsoft 365 Enterprise: plans and pricing (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/enterprise/microsoft-365-plans-and-pricing) - [Partner Center announcements, May 2026: New three-year CSP purchasing option for Microsoft 365 Copilot](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-may#new-three-year-cloud-solution-provider-csp-purchasing-option-for-microsoft-365-copilot-now-available) - [Partner Center announcements, June 2026: New Microsoft 365 Copilot promotion, 15% on three-year commitments for 300+ licenses](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/partner-center/announcements/2026-june#new-microsoft-365-copilot-promotion-customers-can-save-15-on-three-year-commitments-for-300-licenses) - [Microsoft Learn: Teams events licensing overview (event features by licence and the 1 April 2026 licensing changes)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/events-licensing) - [Microsoft Learn: Plan for Teams events (attendee limits with Teams Enterprise and with Attendee Capacity Packs)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/plan-events) - [Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Teams Premium licensing (licensing update for Teams Premium and Teams Enterprise, 1 April 2026)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-add-on-licensing/licensing-enhance-teams) - [Microsoft blog: Evolving our productivity offerings to resolve European competition concerns about Teams (12 September 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/12/evolving-our-productivity-offerings-to-resolve-european-competition-concerns-about-teams/) - [Microsoft Licensing FAQ: Microsoft Teams (end of sale on Enterprise suites with Teams reversed worldwide from 1 November 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/faqs/10) - [Microsoft Licensing: Updates to Microsoft 365 licensing worldwide (3 November 2025)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/news/microsoft365-teams-2025) - [Microsoft Product Terms: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Customer Agreement (E3, E5 and E7 listed with and without Teams)](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/terms/productoffering/Microsoft365/MCA) - [Microsoft 365 for business: plans without Teams (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/no-teams-plans-and-pricing) - [Microsoft Tech Community: Business Premium and Office 365 E1 grant discontinuation (May 2025)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/nonprofitpartners/announcement-microsoft-365-business-premium--office-365-e1-grant-discontinuation/4415334) - [Microsoft 365 for nonprofits: business plans (UK)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/business/nonprofit-plans-and-pricing) - [Microsoft 365 blog: Flexible billing for Microsoft 365 Copilot, pricing updates for annual subscriptions and Teams Phone (12 November 2024)](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft_365blog/flexible-billing-for-microsoft-365-copilot-pricing-updates-for-annual-subscripti/4288536) ## Frequently asked questions ### When do Microsoft 365 prices increase? The last UK increase on Microsoft 365 business and enterprise plans took effect on 1 July 2026. Microsoft announced it on 4 December 2025, about seven months ahead, on the Microsoft 365 blog and in Partner Center, and existing subscriptions move to the new price at their next renewal on or after 1 July 2026. Microsoft has also said that from 1 January 2027 it will review local-currency prices for its cloud services every 1 January, with guidance each November; it has not yet said whether prices in pounds will change. ### Was there a Microsoft 365 price increase in October 2026? No. The latest increase on Microsoft 365 plans took effect on 1 July 2026, and Microsoft said existing subscriptions "will see the new prices at their next renewal after July 1, 2026", so a renewal in October 2026 can be the first time you see it. Two other changes started on 1 October 2026: Microsoft added 5% to annual cloud solution provider (CSP) software subscriptions billed monthly, "such as SQL Server, Windows Server, Client Access Licenses, and System Center" (Microsoft 365 subscriptions paid that way have cost 5% more [since 1 April 2025](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2025-04-01-monthly-billing-annual-subscriptions-5-percent)), and Microsoft's promotional discounts on Microsoft 365 E7 through CSPs ended for new purchases. ### Why did Microsoft 365 prices go up? Microsoft says the July 2026 change "reflects the significant innovation delivered over the past several years and the added value customers will gain with new additions to the suites, including major advancements in AI (ex. Copilot Chat, Copilot Chat Analytics), security (ex. Microsoft Defender for Office P1), and IT management (ex. Intune Suite)." The features it added to each suite are in the [entry for 1 August 2026](https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/licensing-changes/#2026-08-01-suite-security-and-management-additions). ### How can I avoid or delay a Microsoft 365 price increase? You can time a rise and shrink what it applies to. Microsoft fixes a subscription's price for its term and says prices may change when you renew, so a term bought before a rise takes effect keeps the old price until that term ends. Before each renewal, check whether everyone needs their current plan: licensing by role, moving deskless staff to Frontline plans and choosing versions without Teams where Teams isn't needed all lower the bill. Take care with mid-term upgrades: Microsoft says a mid-term upgrade to the three-year Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 terms moves the subscription's start date forward. ### Is an "upcoming Microsoft 365 price change" email genuine or a scam? Don't use the links or attachments in the email to find out. Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin centre yourself, by typing its address into your browser, and look in Health > Message center, where Microsoft posts upcoming changes for your organisation, or ask your licensing partner directly. You can also compare the email with the changes on this page, each of which links to Microsoft's own announcement. ### Does a price increase apply to my existing subscription straight away? No. For the July 2026 rise Microsoft said existing customers "will see the new prices at their next renewal after July 1, 2026", on both annual and monthly billing plans, and that customers on multi-year agreements "will continue at their current pricing until renewal". New subscriptions bought on or after 1 July 2026 paid the new price straight away. --- Get a free Microsoft 365 licensing assessment: https://computecloud.co.uk/microsoft-365/assessment/