Downgrade from A3 to A1

[Sheridan]

We're looking to merge a schools Office 365 A1 and A3 licenses to be all A1 - as they don't require the extra A3 features anymore

 

Is it possible to simply switch their license from A3 to A1 and lose the extra features, without any impact on their mailbox etc? I can only find information about upgrading from A1 to A3, rather than the other way around!

[nadeem]

Should be fine. I would test a few mailboxes first, but I would apply the A1 licence first in addition to the A3 - wait 48 hours and then remove the A3 licence. I've done similar in the past and its all been fine.

[Boredguy]

Yep just switch the licence straight from A3 to A1. Any additional features that they had will then just be disabled.

We did that to our all users when we switches from using A1 to the A1 Plus

[nadeem]

I would suggest a short delay just to make sure the new licence is applied first before removing the old one - I know in theory its instant, but a little caution never hurt!

[3s-gtech]

You can run A1 alongside A3, so when you disable A3 there's no loss of functionality.

[Sheridan]

Cheers all - I think I'll switch to A1 and wait before removing the A3!

[Sheridan]

Hmm, maybe its not as straightforward as I though. I've tried to add A1 to the existing A3 users and I just get the following error - I'm reluctant to remove the A3 until the A1 is successfully assigned

 

You can't assign licenses that contain these conflicting services: SharePoint Plan 2 for EDU, SharePoint Plan 1 for EDU. Review the services included with each license, and try again. You can't assign licenses that contain these conflicting services: Exchange Online (Plan 2), Exchange Online (Plan 1). Review the services included with each license, and try again.

 

 

 

[3s-gtech]

Yes, sorry I should have remembered. You'll need to assign the A1 licenses without those included, for now, and add them back in afterwards.

 

$StaffPlanEdu = New-MsolLicenseOptions -AccountSkuId tenancyname:STANDARDWOFFPACK_FACULTY -DisabledPlans SHAREPOINTENTERPRISE_EDU,EXCHANGE_S_STANDARD
$AllUn = Get-MsolUser -All
foreach ($eachuser in $AllUn)
{
Set-MsolUserLicense -UserPrincipalName $eachuser.UserPrincipalName -AddLicenses yourtenancy:STANDARDWOFFPACK_FACULTY -LicenseOptions $StaffPlanEdu
}

 

You'll need to double check the DisabledPlans against your errors, as there are a few names for Sharepoint and Exchange that will tie in to your current licenses.

[Boredguy]

Hmm, maybe its not as straightforward as I though. I've tried to add A1 to the existing A3 users and I just get the following error - I'm reluctant to remove the A3 until the A1 is successfully assigned

 

You can't assign licenses that contain these conflicting services: SharePoint Plan 2 for EDU, SharePoint Plan 1 for EDU. Review the services included with each license, and try again. You can't assign licenses that contain these conflicting services: Exchange Online (Plan 2), Exchange Online (Plan 1). Review the services included with each license, and try again.

 

 

 

You can auto assign the licences via the AzureAD admin centre, it's easier than scripting it these days as long as your using the AzureADConnect to synchronise your accounts

[Sheridan]

Ahh this is a small primary who have literally just switched to 365, so the dozen or so accounts have all been created manually. Its going to be used more in the future but for now its only those users