|
I hope that what follows will calm some of that storm before it makes a direct hit:
?
1. Yes, Microsoft has announced that Copilot AI will now be included with M365 Family and Personal Plans by default.? This was supposed to have started on January 16, 2025, worldwide.
2. No, there will not be any price change until your next renewal date arrives, at which point, if you didn't downgrade to M365 Family or Personal Classic (about which more, later) your cost will increase by $30/year to have M365 with Copilot.
3. Yes, it appears that Microsoft has given those of us who don't want the Copilot AI included to avoid having anything change when the next renewal comes.? You will have it for free until that point.
?
This is the announcement regarding Copilot now being included in M365 Family and Personal, but also includes instructions on how to downgrade to classic before one's next renewal date: ?
?
I direct the readership's attention to this part of that announcement, specifically, if one does want to "stick with what you've currently got" which is what the Classic versions of M365 Family or Personal are:
----
Downgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family Classic
1. Go to Services & subscriptions. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your subscription, if prompted.? [Note: I've found the easiest way to get directly where you need to be is to do the following in MS-Word: ?Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3? (File Backstage View, Accounts, Manage Account button) this opens your Subscriptions page in the web browser for the Microsoft Account under which you hold the subscription for the M365 you're using at that moment.
2. Activate the Manage Subscription control (first one in that page) which presents a list of options.? Arrow down to? Cancel subscription and activate.
3. To downgrade to another plan with fewer features, select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you.
4. Follow the instructions to complete the switch.
Your existing subscription might not change immediately, but it will automatically switch to the new plan at renewal. You will not be charged for the new plan until it renews.?
----
?
Note well that you can perform the downgrade in advance of your renewal date, and that you will keep your current billing rate with the Classic plan when your renewal is processed.? So, if you play with Copilot in the M365 Office Suite programs during the period between January 16, 2025, and your renewal date, and decide at any point you don't want it when the free trial up through renewal is over, then follow the above noted instructions to stick with what you've got.
?
This is the ONLY information I have, and since my own renewal date is not until the month of August, I will not be doing the downgrade to Classic for my next renewal until I have had enough time playing with the trial to decide if I want to keep the integrated Copilot features or not.
?
It would be much appreciated if those who do follow the above noted instructions report back on how the process worked and whether it was accessible.? My guess is that when you cancel your existing service you'll immediately be asked if you want to resubscribe at a different service level, which would be the newly created Classic level if you want to keep everything as it has been.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
For folks who want to downgrade, after going through all the process, I suggest going to file, accounts, and update your license on this screen. You can do it in any of the Office apps. ? Cheers, Leo Bado. ? "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master." Pravin Lal. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2025 12:14 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Special] [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs? I hope that what follows will calm some of that storm before it makes a direct hit: 1. Yes, Microsoft has announced that Copilot AI will now be included with M365 Family and Personal Plans by default.? This was supposed to have started on January 16, 2025, worldwide. 2. No, there will not be any price change until your next renewal date arrives, at which point, if you didn't downgrade to M365 Family or Personal Classic (about which more, later) your cost will increase by $30/year to have M365 with Copilot. 3. Yes, it appears that Microsoft has given those of us who don't want the Copilot AI included to avoid having anything change when the next renewal comes.? You will have it for free until that point. This is the announcement regarding Copilot now being included in M365 Family and Personal, but also includes instructions on how to downgrade to classic before one's next renewal date: ? I direct the readership's attention to this part of that announcement, specifically, if one does want to "stick with what you've currently got" which is what the Classic versions of M365 Family or Personal are: Downgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family Classic
1. Go to Services & subscriptions. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your subscription, if prompted.? [Note: I've found the easiest way to get directly where you need to be is to do the following in MS-Word: ?Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3? (File Backstage View, Accounts, Manage Account button) this opens your Subscriptions page in the web browser for the Microsoft Account under which you hold the subscription for the M365 you're using at that moment. 2. Activate the Manage Subscription control (first one in that page) which presents a list of options.? Arrow down to? Cancel subscription and activate. 3. To downgrade to another plan with fewer features, select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you. 4. Follow the instructions to complete the switch. Your existing subscription might not change immediately, but it will automatically switch to the new plan at renewal. You will not be charged for the new plan until it renews.? Note well that you can perform the downgrade in advance of your renewal date, and that you will keep your current billing rate with the Classic plan when your renewal is processed.? So, if you play with Copilot in the M365 Office Suite programs during the period between January 16, 2025, and your renewal date, and decide at any point you don't want it when the free trial up through renewal is over, then follow the above noted instructions to stick with what you've got. This is the ONLY information I have, and since my own renewal date is not until the month of August, I will not be doing the downgrade to Classic for my next renewal until I have had enough time playing with the trial to decide if I want to keep the integrated Copilot features or not. It would be much appreciated if those who do follow the above noted instructions report back on how the process worked and whether it was accessible.? My guess is that when you cancel your existing service you'll immediately be asked if you want to resubscribe at a different service level, which would be the newly created Classic level if you want to keep everything as it has been. Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0) It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. ?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
On Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 11:43 AM, Leo Bado wrote:
I suggest going to file, accounts, and update your license on this screen..
-
I agree, and had given the steps to do exactly that: ??Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3? (File Backstage View, Accounts, Manage Account button)?
?
One could, of course, use Alt + F, D, Y 4? (Switch License) or Y 5 (Update License) but both involve additional login steps avoided by using the Manage Account button per Microsoft's own instructions, which I stuck with.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Thank you so much for this. ? ? Jean Marcley, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader jmarcleyhaha@... 941-289-4391 tip jar: paypal.me/jeanmarcleyhaha ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2025 1:14 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Special] [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs? I hope that what follows will calm some of that storm before it makes a direct hit: 1. Yes, Microsoft has announced that Copilot AI will now be included with M365 Family and Personal Plans by default.? This was supposed to have started on January 16, 2025, worldwide. 2. No, there will not be any price change until your next renewal date arrives, at which point, if you didn't downgrade to M365 Family or Personal Classic (about which more, later) your cost will increase by $30/year to have M365 with Copilot. 3. Yes, it appears that Microsoft has given those of us who don't want the Copilot AI included to avoid having anything change when the next renewal comes.? You will have it for free until that point. This is the announcement regarding Copilot now being included in M365 Family and Personal, but also includes instructions on how to downgrade to classic before one's next renewal date: ? I direct the readership's attention to this part of that announcement, specifically, if one does want to "stick with what you've currently got" which is what the Classic versions of M365 Family or Personal are: Downgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family Classic
1. Go to Services & subscriptions. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your subscription, if prompted.? [Note: I've found the easiest way to get directly where you need to be is to do the following in MS-Word: ?Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3? (File Backstage View, Accounts, Manage Account button) this opens your Subscriptions page in the web browser for the Microsoft Account under which you hold the subscription for the M365 you're using at that moment. 2. Activate the Manage Subscription control (first one in that page) which presents a list of options.? Arrow down to? Cancel subscription and activate. 3. To downgrade to another plan with fewer features, select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you. 4. Follow the instructions to complete the switch. Your existing subscription might not change immediately, but it will automatically switch to the new plan at renewal. You will not be charged for the new plan until it renews.? Note well that you can perform the downgrade in advance of your renewal date, and that you will keep your current billing rate with the Classic plan when your renewal is processed.? So, if you play with Copilot in the M365 Office Suite programs during the period between January 16, 2025, and your renewal date, and decide at any point you don't want it when the free trial up through renewal is over, then follow the above noted instructions to stick with what you've got. This is the ONLY information I have, and since my own renewal date is not until the month of August, I will not be doing the downgrade to Classic for my next renewal until I have had enough time playing with the trial to decide if I want to keep the integrated Copilot features or not. It would be much appreciated if those who do follow the above noted instructions report back on how the process worked and whether it was accessible.? My guess is that when you cancel your existing service you'll immediately be asked if you want to resubscribe at a different service level, which would be the newly created Classic level if you want to keep everything as it has been. Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0) It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. ?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Jean,? you're quite welcome.
?
I can also announce that the Copilot integration is now "fully visible" in my instance of M365.? I am the subscription owner for my Family plan.
?
BTW, to those using M365 Family, the Copilot trial only be available to the subscription owner, not the remaining 5 seats.? For Personal, the person who's subscribed is the subscription owner.
?
Quoting from page, : For Microsoft 365 Family subscribers, Copilot will be available to the subscription owner and cannot be shared with others.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
I wonder if you uncheck the box in the Copilot category opting out of Copilot, if you will not automatically be charged the $30 extra upon renewal. Thanks Brian for really tackling this for all of us. ? Don ? ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2025 2:40 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs? Jean,? you're quite welcome. I can also announce that the Copilot integration is now "fully visible" in my instance of M365.? I am the subscription owner for my Family plan. BTW, to those using M365 Family, the Copilot trial only be available to the subscription owner, not the remaining 5 seats.? For Personal, the person who's subscribed is the subscription owner. Quoting from page, : For Microsoft 365 Family subscribers, Copilot will be available to the subscription owner and cannot be shared with others. Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0) It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. ?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Don,
?
I have no idea.? But when Microsoft gives a specific method, and says that the availability of a given plan "Classic" may be withdrawn later, I use the method they specify.
?
There could be 20 ways to opt out, for all I know, but I will stick with the downgrade to the Classic version of the M365 Family or Personal subscriptions since it's so darned easy to do.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Great point Brian; I will give my customer the options. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2025 3:51 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs? I have no idea.? But when Microsoft gives a specific method, and says that the availability of a given plan "Classic" may be withdrawn later, I use the method they specify. There could be 20 ways to opt out, for all I know, but I will stick with the downgrade to the Classic version of the M365 Family or Personal subscriptions since it's so darned easy to do. Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0) It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. ?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Not sure if it is because I'm in Canada, when I follow the instructions, there is no option to downgrade.
|
I am not the owner of our family subscription, my husband is. I don't mind that I won't have access to copilot. We haven't started the process, but I want to have all my ducks accounted for before I do. If we cancel our subscription, in order to downgrade to Classic, I assume we will lose everything in our separate OneDrives, so we need to back them up somewhere first, correct? Also, if my husband does do process first, I will lose my access at that time and he will need to add me on to the new account, yes? I pologize if these seem obvious questions, i just want to have thought this through before we go into it. Thanks for any clarifications you can provide.?
?
Diana Brent
|
Diana,
?
Several basic points:
?
1. One can move between subscription levels (for lack of a better way of putting it) in M365 Personal or Family at will.? It's unfortunate that the method used to do so involves canceling one's current subscription and picking up another, as that does imply an interruption in service, but there is no interruption of service.? Only if you cancel - just cancel - and don't pick up a different subscription level will you lose service.? If you follow the previously posted instructions to cancel your existing M365 service, and during that process enroll in the Classic level, then things just stay as they are and your billing will remain as it is, with the same services as you currently have, at the point of your next renewal date.? Ahead of that date the main subscriber still has the free trial.
?
2. M365 Personal and Family, even if they expire, allow 30 days (as of this writing) of access to OneDrive for the now-expired subscription in read-only mode so that existing data can be downloaded.? After that 30 days passes, it's gone.? If you re-up during that 30 days, you just have read-write access to OneDrive restored.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
On Mon, Jan 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM, JinYoun wrote:
when I follow the instructions, there is no option to downgrade.
-
Have you looked around once you are on this page?: ?
?
You get there after having done the Hit Alt + F, D, Y 3, and choosing Cancel Subscription from the menu of options.
?
These things do sometimes vary by region, but I can't imagine the one in Canada is not the same as the US.? For me, that page toward the bottom has a Switch Plan button if I want to switch to M365 Family Classic.? That is the downgrade, as straight M365 Personal or Family will keep Copilot AI with a $30/year cost increase as of the date of your next renewal.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Thanks, I'll check again, but I only saw options for 365 personal and family and no classic anywhere.
|
Another note about M365 subscriptions, you cannot change level, and I mean actually have the change take effect, in the middle of an existing subscription run, at least for a downgrade in level.? Changes only occur in actual service level at your renewal date.
?
So, if you're a monthly subscriber, and change from one level to another on the 15th of the month, you will not actually get that service level until the first of the next month, and your billing will be adjusted accordingly.
?
The same applies if you're a yearly subscriber.? When you paid at your subscription date, you paid for a full year and will have that service level for the full year term.? If you downgrade 5 months in that change will not take effect until the next renewal date.? Most "upgrades" up until now have involved add-on services (which Copilot was) that were side attachments to core M365 functionality and handled as their own things with their own subscription.? Now that Copilot is being integrated with M365 Family and Personal, it becomes a part of that core subscription.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Brian,
?
OK, helpful. My annual family subscription does not expire until sometime in December of this year, I believe it is the 9th. So, since I’m not interested in this, when should I follow your downgrade
instructions so I’m sure not to get charged in December?
?
Alan
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 12:06 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
Another note about M365 subscriptions, you cannot change level, and I mean actually have the change take effect, in the middle of an existing subscription run, at least for a downgrade in level.? Changes only occur in actual service level
at your renewal date.
So, if you're a monthly subscriber, and change from one level to another on the 15th of the month, you will not actually get that service level until the first of the next month, and your billing will be adjusted accordingly.
The same applies if you're a yearly subscriber.? When you paid at your subscription date, you paid for a full year and will have that service level for the full year term.? If you downgrade 5 months in that change will not take effect until
the next renewal date.? Most "upgrades" up until now have involved add-on services (which Copilot was) that were side attachments to core M365 functionality and handled as their own things with their own subscription.? Now that Copilot is being integrated
with M365 Family and Personal, it becomes a part of that core subscription.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Alan,
?
You can do the downgrade today through December 8th and be fine.? Nothing will change, including your trial with integrated Copilot, until your renewal date this coming December.
?
As the original Microsoft announcement noted:?
1. Existing subscribers won't experience price changes until their next renewal.?
2. Existing subscribers with recurring billing enabled can switch to other plans without Copilot or??like Microsoft 365 Basic, or, for a limited time, to our new Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic plans.
3. Your existing subscription might not change immediately, but it will automatically switch to the new plan at renewal. You will not be charged for the new plan until it renews.?
?
From what I've seen so far, the actual plan information on your subscription page changes very promptly to whatever level you've changed to for the next renewal date, and that includes the cost for that plan.? Also, though, your actual existing subscription does not change for the duration of your current contract, so no matter what change you make now, if you were to change your mind and do the cancel/change cycle again before your renewal date, the new service level and cost comes into effect only once your renewal date arrives.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
That was our experience too. I wonder if it's something about living in Canada and that is where we've subscribed to MS365. My husband is sighted and sees no such downgrade options for "classic" versions on the screen.?
|
Diana,
?
Now that we have two Canadians reporting this option does not exist, and in your case with sighted spouse verification, then it may be a country-related thing.
?
The downgrade is not noted as a downgrade, per se, but the noted Switch Plan button exists in the US for the Classic and Basic subscription plans.? Classic is what all Personal and Family users have been accustomed to pre-Copilot-integration and Basic is the version where you only have access to the Office web apps, no desktop apps.
?
I have to imagine, much like the checkbox for Enable Copilot has only reached Word so far, but is slated to reach the other Office desktop apps, the downgrade option will have to become available so that those who want the non-AI version of M365 they're used to can choose to keep it at the next renewal date.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
In my case, I was first offered Copilot in Word. The offer for Outlook presented itself either later on during the same day or possibly the day after and I noticed it in Excel for the first time today. I likely
would have noticed it in Excel earlier but I don’t use Excel as often.
?
David Goldfield,
Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist
?
?
Director of Marketing,
Blazie Technologies
?
Am Yisrael Chai
The Nation of Israel Lives!
?
Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive blindness technology news, events and information.
Email: [email protected]
?
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Brian Vogel via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 2:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [M365-Accessibility] The latest storm of chaos from a Microsoft Announcement of changes to the default M365 Personal and Family Plans to include Copilot Functionality in the Office Programs
?
Now that we have two Canadians reporting this option does not exist, and in your case with sighted spouse verification, then it may be a country-related thing.
The downgrade is not noted as a downgrade, per se, but the noted Switch Plan button exists in the US for the Classic and Basic subscription plans.? Classic is what all Personal and Family users have been accustomed to pre-Copilot-integration
and Basic is the version where you only have access to the Office web apps, no desktop apps.
I have to imagine, much like the checkbox for Enable Copilot has only reached Word so far, but is slated to reach the other Office desktop apps, the downgrade option will have to become available so that those who want the non-AI version
of M365 they're used to can choose to keep it at the next renewal date.
Brian?
·
♂?
·
????
·
?Virginia, USA?-
Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family;
Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
David,
?
In regard to Outlook, I presume you mean Outlook Classic.? I've not had it show up in Outlook Classic or New Outlook for me, yet, or else the presentation is quite different as far as what happens in the respective ribbons.
--
Brian? · ♂? · ???? · ?Virginia, USA?- Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100; M365 Family; Android 13 (Xiaomi HyperOS 1.0.10.0)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
?????? ~ Benjamin Disraeli, 1804-1881
|
Brian Vogel