Microsoft 365 price rises are coming - pay up or opt out (if you can find the button)

Users are now receiving notifications regarding their Microsoft 365 subscriptions and must take action if they wish to avoid Copilot and its extra charges.

The email from Microsoft warns that the cost of a 365 Personal Subscription will jump, however, there is no need to worry - Microsoft knows what's best and will increase your payment in return for all those AI-powered Copilot services it knows you want.

We noted the upcoming increases last month and how users could turn off the generative AI assistant. At the time, Microsoft said users would be able to switch to plans without Copilot.

However, unless a user takes action, the price they pay for their "Current Subscription" will increase, and AI-powered delights will be added to their plan.

One Bluesky user wrote: "Happy 'Microsoft trying to force Copilot subs' day in the UK for all who celebrate," before going into detail on how users can avoid the price hike. Clicking "Cancel subscription" within a customer's Microsoft account will allow the non-Copilot option to be selected.

In January, Microsoft said the switch to the Personal Classic or Family Classic plans, without Copilot, would only be available for a "limited time."

The wording of Microsoft's email shared on social media might make some users think that the rising cost was simply an inflationary thing. After all, Microsoft 365 Personal offers pretty good value (if not as good value as free, open source alternatives) and the price hasn't changed for years, right?

Yet by Microsoft's own admission it is "to reflect the value we've added over the past decade." However, that "value" appears to be the entirely optional Copilot assistant. So unless a customer wants Copilot, clicking the "Cancel subscription" link will reveal a plan that removes the AI feature and brings the price back down.

Both annual and monthly payments can be cut so long as action is taken. Otherwise, users will be, for all intents and purposes, automatically enrolled in a more expensive plan that includes Copilot.

Microsoft is to be commended for offering the reduced-price plan for Copilot refuseniks. However, that same commendation cannot be given for making Copilot opt-out rather than opt-in and employing dark patterns to urge users down the path of paying more for a service they didn't ask for. ®