Microsoft is now offering a new way to access its Office 365 office suite legally and free of charge. This offer, integrated directly into a web browser, enables Word, Excel and PowerPoint to be used without installation or paid subscription. This innovation is particularly interesting for users who don’t want to take out a subscription but need the essential functionality of Microsoft software.
Create and edit a Word document for free
Once on the Microsoft 365 interface, simply click on the Word icon to start writing a new document. The online Word editor includes most of the features found in the desktop version, with formatting, correction and collaboration tools. You can type your text normally, change the font, adjust alignment and insert elements such as images or tables.
All files created are automatically saved on OneDrive. To retrieve them locally, you can download them in Word (.docx) format via the File menu, then select Download as. This option allows you to maintain offline access to your documents while enjoying the benefits of online storage.
Find your documents directly in OneDrive on Windows
When you use the free online version of Microsoft 365, your documents are automatically saved to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service. All files created with Word, Excel or PowerPoint online are saved without you having to perform any manual manipulation.
On a Windows PC, OneDrive is integrated directly into the file explorer, enabling you to access your documents as if they were stored locally. It is not possible to open a OneDrive document in the web version of Microsoft 365 directly from the Windows file explorer. When a file is saved on OneDrive, it is opened by default using the applications installed on the computer. Files remain permanently synchronized, so you always have the latest version, whatever device you’re using.
OneDrive web version: access, edit and share Office documents
When you use the web version of OneDrive, you have direct access to all your files stored in the cloud, without the need for a dedicated application on your computer. This solution is particularly practical if you work on several devices, or if you want to manage your documents without taking up local storage space.
From the online interface, you can open, edit and share your documents directly via Microsoft 365 online, without having to install Word, Excel or PowerPoint on your computer. Clicking on a Word or Excel file will automatically open it in the corresponding web version, allowing you to make changes in real time, with automatic backup to OneDrive.
Access the web version of Office 365 for free
The first step is to visit the official Microsoft site dedicated to this free Office 365 offer with your web browser.
On this page, Microsoft highlights the possibility of using its office applications free of charge, directly on the web. Two options are displayed:
Please log in: For users who already have a Microsoft account, or
Register for free : For those who need to create one.
To access the applications, you need a Microsoft account. Once logged in, you can use the online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
After logging in, you are redirected to the main Microsoft 365 online interface. This page brings together all available applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as complementary tools such as OneDrive for online storage, Forms for form creation and Clipchamp for video editing. The interface is intuitive and quick to learn, even for users unfamiliar with the web version.
Files are automatically backed up as they are synchronized with OneDrive. Each user benefits from 5 GB of free cloud storage space, enabling documents to be retrieved from any Internet-connected device. This makes it possible to start work on a computer and continue it later on a tablet or smartphone, without having to transfer files manually.
An essential free alternative to Microsoft 365 subscription
With this new offer, Microsoft makes available a free, fully legal version of its office suite. This solution is ideal for occasional users of Word, Excel or PowerPoint who still wish to benefit from Microsoft’s professional tools without paying a subscription fee. The interface is intuitive, documents are saved online and can be accessed from any device, and the functionalities offered are more than sufficient for normal use.
This service is particularly useful for students, freelancers or anyone wishing to create documents without having to invest in a paid subscription. In just a few clicks, you can create, edit and share documents online, with the assurance of always being able to retrieve files saved on OneDrive.
This initiative from Microsoft represents a major step forward in making access to its office tools more inclusive. All that’s left now is to test this new online version of Office 365 to get an idea of its effectiveness!
You can use Office 365 free of charge and legally by accessing the web version of Microsoft 365. By logging in with your Microsoft account, you’ll have access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other online applications without the need for installation or subscription. Your documents are automatically saved on OneDrive, and you can retrieve and edit them from any connected device. Although some advanced features are reserved for subscribers, this free version gives you everything you need to work online.
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