How is Office ProPlus different than other versions of Microsoft Office?

Office ProPlus is the version of Microsoft Office included with our Microsoft 365 license. Like other versions of Microsoft Office, it includes Access, Excel, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Skype For Business, Teams, and Word. It is a full version of the application suite, with the same features and functionality as other versions.  Although Office ProPlus is similar to other versions of Microsoft Office, there are also differences to note which are included in the list below.

  • For Personal Use:  Unlike other versions of Office on campus, Office ProPlus is intended to be installed on your personal devices only (e.g., your home computer or iPad).  If you have a University-owned device, you should work with your IT department to install the appropriate version of Microsoft Office. If you are unsure of which version you should install on your device, please contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance.
     
  • Licensing:  The licensing model for Office ProPlus is like a subscription - if you cancel your subscription, you lose functionality. If you leave the University of Iowa, your installation of Office ProPlus will go into reduced functionality mode. Additionally, you must connect to the internet once every 30 days to verify your UI status and Office ProPlus license. If you do not connect to the internet after 30 days, Office ProPlus will go into reduced functionality mode (once you connect to the internet again and your status is verified, all features and functionality will be restored). The final licensing difference with Office Pro Plus includes the ability to install Office ProPlus on up to five different devices with a single license. 
     
  • Installation & Deployment: Thanks to Microsoft's "Click-to-Run" technology, you are able to install Office ProPlus in a matter of minutes. You are able to install this yourself - on your home computer - without the need for additional media or license keys.  Additionally, updates and security fixes are configured to automatically install, which means you will always have the most up-to-date, secure version of the software.
Article number: 
103425
Last updated: 
October 12, 2020
Service: 
Microsoft Office
Category: 
General Support Information