What happens if my subscription to Microsoft 365 Business Standard expires?

When your Microsoft 365 Business Standard subscription expires, services transition through a three-phase process: Expired, Disabled, and Deleted. During these stages, access to services is progressively reduced, and data may eventually be permanently deleted if the subscription is not renewed.

Key Stages After Microsoft 365 Business Standard Subscription Expiry

1. Expired Stage (Grace Period)
   • Duration: Typically lasts 30 days after the subscription expires.
   • What Happens:
     • All services (email, Teams, OneDrive, etc.) remain fully accessible.
     • Administrators can renew the subscription without losing data.
2. Disabled Stage (Suspension)
   • Duration: Lasts 30-90 days after the grace period, depending on the subscription type.
   • What Happens:
     • Users lose access to Microsoft 365 apps and services.
     • Data in OneDrive, SharePoint, and Exchange remains accessible to administrators only.
     • Emails cannot be sent or received.
3. Deleted Stage (Data Deletion)
   • Duration: Occurs 90 days after the Disabled Stage begins.
   • What Happens:
     • All user and organizational data is permanently deleted.
     • Recovery is no longer possible.

Steps to Renew or Reactivate a Subscription

1. Renew During the Expired Stage
   • Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center with an admin account.
   • Navigate to the Billing section and select the expired subscription to renew it.
2. Reactivate During the Disabled Stage
   • Administrators can still log in and renew the subscription.
   • Access will be restored for all users once the payment is processed.
3. Avoid the Deleted Stage
   • Ensure the subscription is renewed within 90 days after entering the Disabled Stage to prevent permanent data loss.

Consequences of Non-Renewal

Service/Feature	Expired Stage	Disabled Stage	Deleted Stage
User Access to Apps	Fully accessible	Disabled	Permanently inaccessible
Email Services	Functional	Inactive	Data deleted permanently
Data in OneDrive/SharePoint	Retained	Admin access only	Permanently deleted
Teams Functionality	Fully functional	Inactive	Data deleted permanently

Recommendations to Avoid Service Disruption

• Enable Auto-Renewal: Prevent accidental expiration by activating auto-renewal in the Admin Center.
• Monitor Subscription Status: Regularly review subscription details to ensure timely payment.
• Back Up Critical Data: Save important data from OneDrive and SharePoint in case of delays in renewal.

Need help managing your Microsoft 365 subscription?
Medha Cloud provides expert assistance to ensure uninterrupted Microsoft 365 services and data protection for your business.