It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or working a nine to five. Having the right tools on your Windows laptop can make a massive difference to your productivity. And that’s where Microsoft 365 comes in. This library of apps will turn your computer into a proper powerhouse. That to-do list of yours won’t know what hit it…
Premium office apps
One of the best reasons to buy Microsoft 365 is the sheer number of apps you get. They’re not just basic programs either. They’re packed with features to get you creating, collaborating and chatting.
Word – The world’s go-to for making docs, reports and more. Templates and formatting options make it easy to whip up something professional looking in absolutely no time.
Excel – It’s the ultimate spreadsheet app, ideal for data analysis and budgeting. Use the powerful functions and handy charts to quickly make sense of complex stats.
PowerPoint – When you’ve got a presentation to do, this should be your number one. Pick from special themes and animations to make your slideshows really stand out.
OneNote – Physical notebooks are so last century. Use OneNote to jot down any ideas and thoughts instead. It’s ideal for students (and whenever your boss decides to top up your to-do list).
Publisher – Design anything from brochures and flyers to newsletters. Publisher’s drag-and-drop interface means you don’t need a graphic design degree to make something polished.
Access – This database management tool is great for organising and analysing heaps of data, especially on a business level.
Expanded OneDrive storage
Cloud storage is a biggie nowadays. Microsoft 365 comes with expanded OneDrive storage. This means you can store all your important files in the cloud and access them from anywhere. Oh, and you won’t have to worry about running out of space on your laptop either.
1TB of cloud storage – This is more than enough room for docs, photos, videos and other files. You won’t have to be constantly deleting stuff to make space!
File syncing – OneDrive automatically syncs your files across all your devices, letting you access the same docs on your phone and laptop etc. You’ll always have the most up-to-date versions, whatever you’re working on.
File recovery – Accidentally binned a file? No problem. OneDrive has a version history feature. Use this, and you can recover previous versions of your files. Phew.
Outlook
You might think Outlook is just for emails. But it’s got loads of other tools for staying organised and connected too…
Email management – There’s a lot of ways to manage your inbox more effectively. Set up some rules to automatically sort emails for you. Create some folders and categorise each email that comes in. Or just prioritise what’s important and pin it to the very top.
Calendar and scheduling – Plan your day, week and month with the built-in calendar. It’s great for setting reminders and scheduling meetings. Just make sure you share with your colleagues when you’re jetting off on holiday.
Contacts and address book – Keep all your contacts in one place and easily manage your address book. It works across the other 365 apps as well, so you can quickly fill in contact info on emails and documents.
Technical support for Windows 11 and Microsoft 365
365 was built to work with Windows 11 without a hitch. But there’s always a small chance something glitches out. If it does, that’s where technical support comes in. Microsoft have an expert team that’ll help to fix anything from installation issues to troubleshooting specific problems on an app. Get in touch and you’ll be back up and running in no time.
Editor
Microsoft 365 comes with a handy writing assistant called Editor. And it’s exactly what it sounds like. Fire it up, and you’ll get instant help with whatever you’re typing.
Grammar and style suggestions – Editor checks your writing for any grammar, spelling and style errors. Plus, it gives you useful suggestions to make you write more clearly and professionally. Which will definitely come in handy when you’re drafting that important work email.
Thesaurus and dictionary – Can’t find the right words? No worries. A built-in dictionary and thesaurus can rustle up some perfect phrases for you.
Read Aloud – Don’t just read through your work in your head. Use the Read Aloud feature to catch errors and improve the flow of your writing.
Can’t meet your friends and family?
Even when you can’t get together with your mates and family, there’s still ways to hang out…
Microsoft Teams – While it’s more focused on work collaboration, there’s nothing to say you can’t use it for a quick catch up with the folks. Chat over text or flick the camera on and have a chinwag over a tea like you would at home.
Skype – As of May 5, 2025, we’ll be saying sayonara to Skype. Microsoft are retiring their long-running video calling app and putting all their eggs in the Teams basket. With its own call features, it makes a lot of sense.
Which version is the right one for me?
Microsoft 365 has a few subscription plans to pick from. And each one suits different needs and budgets. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right one:
Microsoft 365 Personal – Access all the latest Office apps and get a chunky 1TB of OneDrive storage space.
Microsoft 365 Family – If you’ve got a family of up to six people, it’s a no-brainer. It includes everything in the Personal plan, but you can share the subscription with your ma, pa, and even your grandma.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic – One for the small business owners. This plan comes with Outlook, OneDrive and Teams.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard – It’s got everything that Business Basic has. On top of that though, there’s the full suite of Office apps, advanced security and more.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium – The most comprehensive option for businesses. It’s got all the same features as Business Standard does, plus advanced management and compliance tools.
Partner benefits
If you’re a Business user, Microsoft 365 gives you some nifty little extras through its partner program.
Training and support – Get access to training resources and dedicated support. It’ll help you and your team to really get the most out of 365.
Customisation – Work with Microsoft partners to customise your experience. You can switch up your branding, app integrations and more.
Discounts and offers – Save money – and get more value from your subscription – with exclusive discounts and special offers.
Microsoft 365 vs. free alternatives: Is it worth it?
While there are a few good free options out there – like Google Workspace – Microsoft 365 has a lot going for it…
Advanced features – A lot of the best 365 features aren’t available on those free alternatives. If you want real-time collaboration, advanced security and data analysis tools, there’s only one place to get them.
Smooth integration – All the 365 apps work with each other and Windows 11. No annoying compatibility issues here!
Regular updates – Microsoft constantly roll out updates, so you’ll always have the best new features and improvements. These downloads will squash any pesky bugs too!
Technical support – If something does go wrong, you’re in safe hands. Just get in touch with technical support. They’ll be able to sort any issues as quickly as possible.
Microsoft 365 security features: Keeping your data safe
Security has always been a big priority for Microsoft. And 365 comes with a boat load of features to keep your data safe…
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – This adds an extra layer of security by asking for a second form of verification. This’ll usually be a code that gets sent to your phone, along with your password.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – DLP will monitor and control how your data is shared and used, preventing accidental (or intentional) leaks.
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) – ATP uses machine learning to spot and block threats like malware and phishing attacks.
Secure Score – This tool helps you to look at and improve your current security. You’ll get custom recommendations and industry leading advice to help you stay secure.
How to get the most out of Microsoft 365
Get more from your Microsoft 365 subscription with a few of our top tips and tricks…
Learn the shortcuts – Get clued up on the keyboard shortcuts for each app. You’ll be more productive, trust us. And it’ll save you loads of time – especially when you’re doing all that boring admin.
Use templates – Pick from pre-made templates and apply them to your docs, spreadsheets and presentations. Find a look you like, and it’ll lay things out for you in seconds, letting you focus on the actual content.
Collaborate in real-time – Most of the programs let you work with others at the same time, all on the one file. It’s great for brainstorming and sharing ideas, especially when you’re in different locations.
Explore add-ins – Lots of the 365 apps get even better with add-ins. Depending on what you need, you could add a project management tool to Excel. Or bolt on a citation generator to Word. There are tons to choose from.
Stay updated – Keep all your apps (and Windows 11) up to date). Then you’ll have all the latest features and security patches ready to go.
So, there’s all the reasons you need to nip out and grab your Microsoft 365 subscription. But what else are Microsoft up to these days? Well, Ai’s all the rage now, and with our Microsoft Copilot tips and tricks article, we’ve got all the best ways to get more from their new digital assistant.
