365 Office Product Deactivated

[password1234]

Hi All

Not sure if its us or something going on that we have missed

3 Schools we support - all of them seperate from Each other dont have any associations or anything they all had M365 Office apps on their machine and really weirdly all 3 schools hve had this message appear when they try to open up Office

 

PRODUCT DEACTIVATED - On 8th November 2025, most features of Excel will be disabled.

 

It started off with 1 schools so we thought maybe they didnt renew their licenses or anything, but then on the same day two schools reported the exact same thing!!! and every one of them had the identical date on it, they all purucase licenses from different suppliers

One school upgraded to A3 and that sorted it out straight away the other 2 trying to get them to A3...

 

Is there somethign we have missed out or anyone aware of this?

[willtech]

Were the schools using an A1 Plus licence, if so MS is pulling them at the moment and they will move to an A1 licence which does not include Desktop M365 Office. You need to move to A3 or get the Office 365 Apps via Volume Licensing

Edited November 7, 2025 by willtech

[JazzFlute]

Yes this was on the cards for a while now and if schools still wanting the Office Desktop Apps then move to A3 licensing or carry on with the A1 for Faculty but purchase the "Microsoft 365 Apps for Faculty" as well for those who want/need the desktop Apps.

 

[password1234]

30 minutes ago, willtech said:

Were the schools using an A1 Plus licence, if so MS is pulling them at the moment and they will move to an A1 licence which does not include Desktop M365 Office. You need to move to A3 or get the Office 365 Apps via Volume Licensing

Yes quite a few of them were! hmm must hve totally missed the comms!!!

 

Yeh we trying to get the schools to go A3 route!

[johnlevis]

Hi @password1234If you have an OVS agreement there may be a workaround - feel free to get in touch

[password1234]

On 10/11/2025 at 07:38, johnlevis said:

Hi @password1234If you have an OVS agreement there may be a workaround - feel free to get in touch

hey John

Yeh one or two schools have the OVS/VLSC agreement, is there a workaround?

[johnlevis]

Just sent you a message

[K_Pickering]

If anyone is interested, SEGfL have a National Software Framework which SEGfL set up for compliant procurement with negotiated value pricing for Schools, Trusts and LA's. www.segfl.org.uk
It is provided through SOFTCAT, so you can take advantage of the pricing even if you are already a customer. 
It is certainly saving schools money. 

Also, are your schools using CANVA, now with AFFINITY both are FREE for Primary and Secondary Schools and can save money as an alternative to other design licences, and is in line with GCSE curriculum requirements.

Just a couple of ideas to help with licence workarounds and saving money ideas. 

Please let me know if these are of interest and you would like more info.