Microsoft is broadening the structure of its Microsoft 365 service to include a new more affordable tier known as Microsoft 365 Basic. According to the company, the upcoming package is a consumer-focused plan that will draw more users to the 365 platform.
Microsoft 365 Basic provides 100GB of OneDrive cloud storage, Outlook with secure mail and no ads, as well as support for Microsoft services including Windows 11. Furthermore, users will have access to the web and mobile versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote.
It is worth noting that OneDrive Premium already offers 100GB, but none of the other benefits of Microsoft 365 Basic. As such, Microsoft is essentially folding the OneDrive plan into the M365 Basic package. This means when Basic goes live the current OneDrive 100GB plans will be updated into Microsoft 365 Basic.
As for when that will happen, Microsoft says the package will become available around the world on January 30, 2023. The service is available for $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. It will launch with OneDrive storage and Outlook benefits. Microsoft says additional features will become available later in the year (at no extra charge).
10 Years
As for where this sits in the tier list for M365, the Basic plan is the tier up from the free version of the platform. Following Basic is M365 Personal and the M365 Family. These are both the same service for individuals or families and were launched in 2020.
Microsoft's announcement of the Basic plan came alongside a blog post celebrating 10 years of Microsoft 365. In that time, the service rebranded from Office 365 to Microsoft 365, and the company says the platform moves with the times:
“The world has changed a lot over the last 10 years, so we continued our own journey of self-improvement by adding new features and benefits to help you keep up with the changing times.”
Tip of the day: Need to reduce picture size of several images, but don't have the time to edit every one? Microsoft's PowerToys image resizer can batch-resize your photos with just two clicks.
Last Updated on January 25, 2023 2:25 am CET
