How to Cancel Microsoft 365 on the Microsoft Account Website
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click "Services & subscriptions" in the top navigation. Find Microsoft 365 in the list and click "Manage". On the next page, look for "Cancel" or "Turn off recurring billing". Microsoft may show a "Cancel subscription" link or a "Paid cancellation" option depending on your plan type. If you cancel within 30 days of a charge and haven't used the Office apps extensively in that period, you may be eligible for a partial refund. After cancellation, your access continues until the end of the current subscription period.
Cancelling Via the Microsoft 365 App or Settings
On Windows, open any Microsoft 365 app (Word, Excel), click "File" → "Account" → "Manage Account". This takes you to the account.microsoft.com page above. On Mac, open an Office app, click the Help menu, then "About Microsoft [App Name]" — there's a link to manage your subscription. On iPhone or Android, if you subscribed through Apple or Google, you must cancel through those platforms rather than Microsoft.
What Changes When Microsoft 365 Expires
Your Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) enter "reduced functionality mode" when the subscription expires. You can open and view files but cannot edit them until you resubscribe. All existing files remain safe — nothing is deleted. OneDrive storage drops from 1 TB to 5 GB. If you're over 5 GB, Microsoft gives you 12 months before it begins removing files. Microsoft's free web versions (Office on the web at office.com) continue to work without a subscription, though with fewer features. For basic document editing, this is often enough.
Free Alternatives Worth Considering Before You Cancel
If you're cancelling because of cost, consider the free options available. Office on the web (office.com) gives you free Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in a browser — sufficient for most personal use. LibreOffice is a free, full-featured desktop alternative that opens .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files. Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) is free for personal use and has strong compatibility with Office formats. If you need 365 purely for Outlook or Teams, check whether your employer already provides a work account with access.