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Microsoft plans are designed to make things easier for you whether at home or in your business. This article will walk you through when and how to move from your Microsoft 365 Family or Microsoft 365 Personal subscription to a Microsoft 365 for business subscription. With a Microsoft 365 for business subscription:

Before you begin

Before you start the switch, it’ll be helpful to understand some key differences between the home and family subscriptions and the business ones.

Watch: Understanding the key differences between home and business plans

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Understanding the key differences between home and business plans

Home plans

Business plans

Microsoft 365 home plans can shared by 1 to 6 people. Intended for home use.

Microsoft 365 Family

Microsoft 365 Personal

A Microsoft 365 for business license can be used by up to 300 users can be added to the same business account (organization). Intended for business use.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Apps for business

Users sign in using a Microsoft account, such as sue@live.com or david@outlook.com.

Note: You can have a personal Microsoft account that isn't outlook.com or live.com and that it still functions just the same way. Learn more at What is a Microsoft Account?.

Users sign in with a user ID, also known as a work or school account.

Email is accessed using a Microsoft account.

Email is accessed using a Microsoft 365 for business account, such as sue@yourcompanyname.com.

Files are stored in the OneDrive that’s associated with the user's Microsoft account.

Files are stored in OneDrive for business which is associated with the user's Microsoft 365 business account.

Switch to Microsoft 365 for business

Deciding which subscription you want can depend on your specific business needs. The Microsoft 365 plan chooser is designed to help you with this. The chooser will make recommendations based on your answers to questions such as the size of your business, your field of work, the devices you use, and what kind of features, IT support, and security you're looking for. See Find the right plan for your business.

One the Results page, select the recommendation that fits your business needs and choose Buy now. For help with the sign up process, read the article below for the steps that correspond with your selected subscription.

After you’ve purchased your new Microsoft 365 for business subscription, the next step is to set up your Microsoft 365 for business subscription. Follow the article below for the steps that correspond to with your subscription.

Because emails are stored in different places in Microsoft 365 for home and Microsoft 365 for business subscriptions, you’ll probably want to migrate some, or all of your email to the Microsoft 365 for business subscription that you choose.  Use the Microsoft Outlook desktop app that comes with Microsoft 365 to save email, calendar, tasks, and contacts to an Outlook Data File (PST) that you can move into your business email account. Follow the steps in Migrate Outlook content using a .pst file and Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file. You don't have to migrate any content if you don't want to. You can start with the new Outlook email account if you wish.

If you don't have Outlook installed, follow the steps in the Download and install or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a PC or Mac topic.

Tip: You can't use Outlook Web App to do these. Each user who wants to migrate their Outlook information must use the full downloadable Microsoft Outlook app.

Because OneDrive files stored in different places in Microsoft 365 for home and Microsoft 365 for business subscriptions, you’ll probably want to migrate some, or all of your files stored in OneDrive to the Microsoft 365 for business subscription that you choose. All Microsoft 365 for business plans include OneDrive for business, which provides 1 terabyte of online file storage for each user. For the steps on how to migrate the files from OneDrive personal to OneDrive for business that’s included with the Microsoft 365 for business subscription, see Move files from OneDrive to OneDrive for work or school. You don't have to migrate any content if you don't want to. You can start with a new OneDrive if you wish.

Follow the steps in this topic to migrate your OneNote files to Microsoft 365 for business: Export and import OneNote notebooks - Microsoft Support. You don't have to migrate any content if you don't want to. You can start with the new OneNote account if you wish.

In some cases, a single Microsoft 365 plan will suit all your needs, but there might be instances when having both plans is the correct decision for you.

For example, you may want to keep your personal files, photos, and other documents separate from your business and having two plans will allow you to do this.

Additionally, if you already have Microsoft 365 Family that you're sharing with friends and family who aren't part of your business, keeping that personal subscription might be the best thing for everyone. This means you don't have to move anyone off that plan, and you don't have to worry about any personal files you already have associated with that subscription and your personal account.

If you decide that you don't need both, you can cancel or turn off recurring billing for a Microsoft subscription.

Need help?

If you have compliance or regulatory requirements for your business and you want to help with the switch, contact a partner or Microsoft support services to help you with the steps in this document.

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