Forum Discussion
Microsoft 365 Business Basic in New Outlook
Apparently, it is not possible to add accounts with a Microsoft 365 Business Basic license to the new Outlook for Windows. Will this option become available in the future, or does it mean that users with different accounts need to find an alternative solution?
MazterNiels You can use a basic account in the new outlook as long as the primary account is a superior license that allows you to download the desktop apps.
- I have Microsoft 365 Business Premium and it still does not allow me to use the new Outlook.
- When Microsoft make announcements it's a shame they don't give the version number so it's easier to check if a feature should work.
- Just upgraded to Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2402 Build 16.0.17328.20004) 64-bit and it still doesn't work with Business Basic accounts.
- Looks like Microsoft may have listened & relented - according to this blog post today, new Outlook will match the licensing behaviour of old Outlook from February 1st 2024 😄
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-blog/how-licensing-works-for-work-and-school-accounts-in-the-new/ba-p/4047361ChrisAtMaf After dealing with this for a couple of weeks now, I want to add some thoughts. Overall, trying to rely on your Microsoft 365 Family subscription as a way to get the desktop apps for your business basic account will be difficult at best. Microsoft will continually harass you and you will find that features just don't work. The issue with the new Outlook is an example, but by no means the only one.
For instance, when you schedule meetings on Teams and you intend to join with your business account you may find that you are not allowed to use the desktop app, but rather are forced to use the browser. And even then you may find that you are not allowed to set different backgrounds, etc, in the browser, because you are using a business basic account.
The big picture here is that Microsoft is not going to make it easy for someone who is not willing to at least upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Standard. I think Business Basic exists only because Google also offers an intro level at the same price.
I actually cancelled my Business Basic and went with Business Standard for a year. It just isn't worth the harassment and frustration for $6.50 per month.
It worked for me after quite some headache, and searching the web. You can only use add basic accounts when you select the account that has the full license on it and switch that to be the primary account. Then you can add additional basic accounts and they will be allowed to use the desktop version.
- Great news! Have not tried it yet but it seems like MS did listen to the feedback! Thats awesome!
- I've just tried it but it doesn't work. My outlook.com (Microsoft 365 Family account) works but all my business basic accounts still display a licensing error.
As always these days it's virtually impossible to work out if you have the current version of the apps and have altered whatever settings are needed on the Microsoft 365 Business Basic accounts.
- I was looking for a solution to this and ended up here. We have several "Business Standard"-licenses that "include the desktop app" but we also have some shared inboxes on the smaller tier. This used to work great (is basically a exchange server under the hood any way) but after trying the "New Outlook" these share boxes does not work.
It's really quite sad. I hope that Microsoft reconsiders this really bad decision. New Outlook for Windows is the desktop version. Business Basic includes web version applications only. The reason for cheaper plan.
However, many of the features are the same on the web and new Outlook.
As far as adding additional accounts I need to investigate a little bit more. Stay tune.
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/Teresa
#traccreations4e- FWIW, I just got confirmation from Microsoft Support that they are not permitting cheaper paid email accounts on new Outlook. No reason was given. My colleagues and I have put in a feedback request here: https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/2f7925cb-3a80-ee11-a81c-000d3ae46fcb - anyone encountering this problem should consider upvoting that item.
GlenB that's crazy! I have multiple Microsoft 365 Business Basic accounts and Microsoft 365 Family (as well as Microsoft developer subscriptions) but can't use the new outlook with the Business Basic accounts.
That makes no sense.
