Microsoft Is Pushing Everyone to Microsoft 365: What You Need to Know in 2026

To top it off, Microsoft has announced a global pricing update for Microsoft 365 subscriptions taking effect on 1 July 2026. This means the cost of various business and enterprise plans will go up, making it worthwhile to get sorted sooner rather than later.

Why Is Microsoft Doing This?

Put simply, Microsoft wants everyone on a subscription model. The old way of buying Office once and using it for years is being phased out. Microsoft 365 gives them the ability to deliver continuous updates, tighter security, and cloud-based collaboration tools that simply weren’t possible with the old standalone versions.

For users, there are genuine benefits: you always have the latest version of every app, your files are backed up to OneDrive, you can collaborate in real time with colleagues or family members, and you get integrated tools like Teams, SharePoint, and now AI-powered assistance through Copilot.

But the transition isn’t always straightforward — especially if you’re not particularly tech-savvy, you’re running an older computer, or you’re a small business with multiple machines to migrate.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re still running Office 2016 or Office 2019, here’s the bottom line:

Your software is no longer receiving security updates. This is a genuine risk, particularly if you handle sensitive information, client data, or financial documents. Cybercriminals actively target known vulnerabilities in unsupported software.

Some features may stop working. Cloud-connected features like certain Outlook integrations, OneDrive syncing, and collaboration tools may degrade over time or cease functioning entirely with unsupported Office versions.

You’ll need to make a decision. Your options are to migrate to Microsoft 365 (Microsoft’s recommended path), purchase the standalone Office 2024 if you prefer a one-off purchase, or continue using unsupported software and accept the risk.

For most home users and small businesses, Microsoft 365 is the strongest option going forward. It keeps you current, keeps you secure, and gives you access to the full suite of modern productivity tools.

What’s New in Microsoft 365 for 2026

Microsoft isn’t just asking people to pay for the same old Office with a new name. The platform has genuinely evolved. Here are the key changes rolling out through 2026:

Copilot AI — Built Into Everything

Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant is now embedded across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. In Word and PowerPoint, it can generate first drafts and create presentations. In Excel, it helps build formulas, analyse data, and create charts. In Outlook, it can draft emails, summarise long threads, and manage your inbox. In Teams, it turns meeting transcripts into action items and summaries.

Enhanced Security — Bundled Into More Plans

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 is now being included in a wider range of licences. This adds enterprise-grade protection such as anti-phishing, anti-malware, safe attachment scanning, and advanced link protection directly into core plans — eliminating the need for separate security add-ons.

More Email Storage

Business licences are receiving a 50 GB mailbox uplift, giving users more space without requiring additional storage add-ons.

Endpoint Management (Intune)

Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 plans gain additional device management capabilities through Microsoft Intune, including Remote Help, Advanced Analytics, and privilege management features.

Publisher Being Retired

Microsoft Publisher will be removed from Microsoft 365 after October 2026. If your business still uses Publisher for flyers, newsletters, or marketing materials, now is the time to plan a transition to alternative tools.

How The Original PC Doctor Can Help

This is exactly the kind of thing our technicians deal with every day. Whether you’re a home user with a single laptop or a small business with a dozen workstations, we can handle the entire Microsoft 365 migration for you — and we do it onsite at your location or remotely via secure screen-sharing, right across Australia.

Assessment & Advice

Not sure which Microsoft 365 plan is right for you? Our technicians can assess your current setup and recommend the best option based on how you actually use your computer. We’ll give you a free phone quote before any work begins, followed by an onsite assessment fee and a full written quote so you know exactly what’s involved.

Microsoft 365 Installation & Setup

Whether it’s a brand new laptop or an existing machine that needs upgrading, we’ll handle the full installation of Microsoft 365, activate your subscription, and make sure Word, Excel, PowerPoint and all the other apps are working correctly. We see plenty of people who’ve tried to install it themselves and ended up in a mess — that’s completely normal, and we sort it out every day.

Outlook & Email Configuration

This is one of the biggest headaches people run into after moving to Microsoft 365. Outlook not connecting to the server, emails not sending or receiving, contacts and calendar entries going missing, profiles throwing errors — our technicians troubleshoot and fix these issues regularly. We’ll also set up your email accounts properly, whether you’re using a business domain, Gmail, or any other provider through Outlook.

OneDrive Setup & File Management

OneDrive is one of the most useful parts of Microsoft 365, but it’s also one of the most confusing. We constantly hear from people whose files have “disappeared” into the cloud, whose folders are duplicating, or who accidentally moved everything to OneDrive when they upgraded to Windows 11. We’ll get your OneDrive configured properly, make sure your files are where they should be, and show you how it all works so you stay in control.

Multi-Computer & Small Business Setup

If you’ve got a small office with multiple PCs that all need Microsoft 365, OneDrive syncing, shared mailboxes or SharePoint access, we can set up the lot. We also help businesses migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, including transferring emails, contacts, calendars and files.

New Laptop Setup

Just bought a new laptop and dreading the setup process? We’ll get Microsoft 365 installed, transfer your files and settings from your old machine, connect your printer and other devices, and hand it back to you ready to go.

Training & Patient Support

Microsoft 365 looks and works differently from older versions, and that can be frustrating — especially if you’re not a tech person. Our technicians are patient and happy to walk you through the changes at your pace. We work with people of all ages and experience levels, from university students to retirees, and we never make you feel silly for asking questions.

Ongoing Support

If something goes wrong down the track — Outlook stops syncing, OneDrive throws an error, or a Windows update breaks something — we’re just a phone call away. With technicians covering every state and territory, help is never far away.

Common Microsoft 365 Problems We Fix Every Day

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone — these are the most common issues Australians run into with Microsoft 365:

Every one of these is something our technicians resolve on a regular basis — onsite at your home or office, or remotely via secure screen-sharing.

We Come to You — Anywhere in Australia

As Australia’s longest-running mobile computer repair company (established 2001), we’ve built our reputation on coming to where you are. Our 60+ ID-verified technicians operate across every state and territory, so whether you’re in suburban Melbourne, regional Queensland, or anywhere in between, we can help.

We also offer remote support for Microsoft 365 migrations and troubleshooting. If you’re comfortable with a technician connecting to your computer via secure screen-sharing, we can often get you sorted without anyone needing to leave their home.

Don’t Wait Until Something Breaks

The biggest mistake we see people make is waiting until their old Office installation causes a problem — a corrupted file, a security breach, or an incompatibility with a new version of Windows. By that point, the migration becomes urgent and stressful rather than planned and painless.

If you’re still running Office 2016, Office 2019, or even an older version, now is the time to make the switch. And with Microsoft 365 prices going up from July 2026, getting set up sooner could save you money as well.

Get Started Today

Give us a call for a free phone quote and we’ll talk you through your options. Our technicians handle the entire process — from choosing the right plan to getting everything installed and working — so you don’t have to figure it out alone.