Nonprofit License is Read Only

Question

Nonprofit License is Read Only

Biokrobo Wokoma 0

Hi,
I have a nonprofit in Mexico that was granted Office 365 licenses and has been functioning well until recently. This week, my license has been read only and says that it does not function on Macs which is my current computer system. My staff using a Windows is experiencing the same thing but it is suggesting working online.

Is there a problem with my account? I have followed all the suggestions from Copilot to fix it but the problem still consists.

Thank you

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1 answer

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Answer 1

Helen Luu 3,300 Independent Advisor

Hello @Biokrobo Wokoma

Regarding your concern about the license being in read-only mode, could you please share the exact error message you are receiving? I would like to understand whether the issue is preventing you from updating, uploading, or creating files, or if the error is appearing within the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

You also mentioned that your staff members are experiencing a similar issue and are being prompted to work online. Could you please provide more details about this behavior? For example, is the message appearing in OneDrive, Outlook, or an Office application such as Word or Excel? Additionally, if you use the online version of the affected application, does it work without any issues?

To help with my investigation, please provide screenshots of the error or message you are encountering. Before sharing, please ensure that any personal information, such as email addresses, display names, or other sensitive details, is removed or obscured.

I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your update.

Biokrobo Wokoma 0 Reputation points

2026-09-22T15:47:51.4533333+00:00

This first image is the response to my staff who uses Windows.

This first image is the response to my staff who uses Windows.
Biokrobo Wokoma 0 Reputation points

2026-09-22T15:51:15.9433333+00:00

This 2nd image is from my Mac. It shows the Word document asking to be activated and when I do, it gives the message on the left side.
I should add that I have an account allocated to me by my alma mater, Northeastern University and a license with that as well and I am still receiving the same message there with that account.
Helen Luu 3,300 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-22T16:02:26.6933333+00:00

Thank you for your update.

In this situation, could you please sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center - Your Products with your admin account and let me know which licenses are assigned to you and the staff members?

Additionally, could you please test opening the affected file from OneDrive or SharePoint using the web version and confirm whether you are able to edit the file there? This will help determine whether the issue is related to the license, the desktop application, or the local environment.

I appreciate your assistance and look forward to your update.
Biokrobo Wokoma 0 Reputation points

2026-09-22T16:08:20.86+00:00

I am able to edit on SharePoint and so is my staff.
Helen Luu 3,300 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-22T16:15:55.2133333+00:00

Hello,

Microsoft 365 Business Basic does not include the desktop versions of Office applications. To use the Office desktop apps, you will need to purchase an additional Microsoft 365 Apps for business license, or upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Standard, which includes both the Business Basic services and the Office desktop applications.

You can find this information in Microsoft 365 and Office 365 service descriptions - Service Descriptions | Microsoft Learn for Microsoft 365 Small and Medium-sized Businesses

I hope this information will be helpful. If you have further concern, please feel free to let me know.
Biokrobo Wokoma 0 Reputation points

2026-09-22T16:26:05.5366667+00:00

Yes, sort of. So we are receiving this as a grant as a nonprofit. It did include it before and how can we upgrade without costing us?
Helen Luu 3,300 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-23T11:07:33.34+00:00

In this situation, I highly recommend contacting Microsoft Support directly. Alternatively, you may reply to the email conversation in which you received approval for the nonprofit subscription, as the team handling your application may be able to provide further guidance.

To create a support request, please follow the instructions provided in the following article: Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

I hope this information will be helpful.
Biokrobo Wokoma 0 Reputation points

2026-09-23T11:12:41.18+00:00

Thank you Helen. I appreciate all your support.

Cheers
Helen Luu 3,300 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-23T13:58:51.3633333+00:00

Thank you so much.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further concerns.