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Microsoft Retiring A1 Plus Licensing
As of August 1st 2024, Microsoft is removing the A1 Plus licensing option, and forcing everyone to use an A1 license. What this primarily means is if you were licensed with A1 Plus, starting July 16th 2024, you have been moved to A1. A1 licensing does not have access to desktop versions of Office applications and you must use the web applications on https://www.office.com/. Opening a desktop application while not licensed, you will be met with a notice, similar to the one below.
Accessing your M365 Web Applications
With A1 licensing, you have access to all the same applications as A1 Plus online. This will allow you to access applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook on any computer. To access access your applications, first sign in to https://www.office.com/ using your UNBC credentials. Once logged in, you can see on the left bar some common applications such as Word, Outlook, Excel. To view all your applications, click the "Apps" icon. If you are looking for additional applications, they can be found under "All Apps". While logged into Microsoft Office, you will also have access to any files within OneDrive, as well as files shared with you via Teams, OneDrive, or SharePoint.
Opening files via OneDrive:
It is often quicker and easier to open your desired files directly, than individually open each app you wish to work in. In OneDrive on the web, simply navigate to "My Files" and click any file you wish to open, and it should automatically open with the correct web application. Alternatively, recently adjusted files can be easily opened from your desktop using the OneDrive icon in your computer's system tray and using the ellipses next to a file and selecting "View Online" or to view the entire OneDrive select the large "View Online" button.
Bookmarks to Web Applications:
Linked here are some bookmarks to frequently used locations to easily access your Web Apps, as long as you are signed into Office.
Word: https://www.office.com/launch/Word/
Excel: https://www.office.com/launch/Excel/
Outlook: https://outlook.office.com/mail/
Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/
Request for Desktop Applications
If you must have desktop applications, please submit a request to support@unbc.ca with managerial approval and we can purchase a license for you. Depending on our current licensing usage, it may take upwards of 2-3 weeks for a license to be available.