Microsoft 365 subscription sharing FAQs

Will everyone in the Family group have access to my private data?

No, the personal data of each person sharing a subscription remains private.

None of your personal files, emails, appointments, contacts, photos, or notebooks will appear in the shared Family locations. They are stored separately.

Who will have access to my files after I join the Family group?

No one will have access to your personal file - they remain only accessible to you unless you explicitly share them with others.

Will my data be automatically shared with the subscription holder when I join the family group?

None of your data is shared with the subscription holder once you join.

If you wish, you can share certain types of data, like web browsing activity and screen time. Go to the Microsoft Family Safety home page to learn more.

Where are these shared family locations, and what are they for?

Once you accept the invitation, you'll see a new Family inbox and Family calendar in Outlook.com. You'll also see a Family Notebook in OneNote. These locations are created so group members can easily share important information while keeping their private files, emails, and information separate.

What happens if the Microsoft 365 subscription expires?

If the Microsoft 365 subscription holder lets their subscription expire, your files will remain intact.

You will continue to be part of the group, but all the subscription benefits will expire for you too, including:

• You will lose your 1TB OneDrive storage benefit, and it will revert back to its previous size. Please see this article about canceling a Microsoft 365 subscription for more information.

• You will lose access to the fully functional desktop Office applications.

• You will still be able to view and print your Office files, but you won't be able to edit them or create new documents.

What happens if I am removed from the family group or they stop sharing their subscription?

If you leave or are removed from the family group, or if the subscription holder stops sharing with you, your files will remain intact, but all the subscription benefits will expire, including:

• You will lose your 1TB OneDrive storage benefit, and it will revert back to its previous size. Please see this article about canceling a Microsoft 365 subscription for more information.

• You will lose access to the fully functional desktop Office applications.

• You will still be able to view and print your Office files, but you won't be able to edit them or create new documents.

• If you leave or are removed from the family group, you will no longer have access to the Family inbox and Family calendar in Outlook.com.

See also

Someone invited you to share their Microsoft 365 subscription

Share your Microsoft 365 Family or Premium subscription

Need more help?

Contact Support

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.