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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsMicrosoft 365 Basic is a single-person consumer subscription that adds 100 GB of shared Microsoft cloud storage, ad-free Outlook.com and mobile email, OneDrive protection features, and access to Microsoft support experts. The US Microsoft Store listed it at $1.99 per month on September 27, 2026; billing options and prices vary by region and can change. It does not include the installed desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook.
What Microsoft 365 Basic includes
The plan is designed for one person using Microsoft services across multiple devices, including the web, iOS, and Android. Its main benefits are storage, email features, file protection, and support.
- 100 GB of cloud storage: The quota is shared across OneDrive files and photos, Outlook.com attachments, and Microsoft 365 app data. It is not 100 GB for each service.
- Ad-free Outlook: Subscribers get an ad-free experience in Outlook.com and Outlook for mobile with supported consumer email addresses, including @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, and @msn.com.
- OneDrive security and recovery: Listed features include Personal Vault, expiring and password-protected sharing links, ransomware detection, and file restore. Microsoft says files can be recovered for up to 30 days after a malicious attack, corruption, or accidental deletion or editing.
- Microsoft support: Subscribers can access support experts for Microsoft 365 and Windows 11.
- Current web and mobile experiences: Microsoft says the subscription keeps OneDrive and Outlook web and mobile experiences up to date.
What the 100 GB storage does—and does not—cover
The 100 GB is a shared cloud-storage allowance rather than a separate 100 GB allocation for every Microsoft service. Outlook.com mailbox storage is accounted for separately from that shared cloud quota. Microsoft also states that paid Microsoft 365 subscribers receive 100 GB of Outlook.com email storage as a subscription benefit.
That distinction matters if you are comparing the plan with a storage-only purchase: the OneDrive allowance and Outlook mailbox capacity are separate figures, even though Outlook attachments also draw on the shared Microsoft cloud-storage quota.
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#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Does Basic include desktop Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook?
No. Microsoft’s plan descriptions position Basic around web and mobile services, storage, email, security, and support; they do not include the installed desktop Office applications. If you need desktop Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook, compare Microsoft’s higher consumer plans before subscribing.
Basic is also not Microsoft 365 Business Basic. The business plan is a commercial offering with different capabilities, including business email, administrative and customer-management tools, 1 TB of storage per user, and Teams meetings for up to 300 people.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Is Microsoft 365 Basic worth $1.99 a month?
At the US Microsoft Store price listed on September 27, 2026, the plan is most relevant if you will use its combination of 100 GB shared storage, ad-free consumer Outlook, and OneDrive security or recovery features. If you only need the free Outlook experience or do not expect to use the storage, the subscription may add little for you. If desktop Office apps or substantially more storage are priorities, compare higher consumer plans instead.
The listed US price is $1.99 per month, with monthly and yearly billing choices shown on Microsoft’s product page. Taxes, regional pricing, promotions, and availability can differ, and the price may change.
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- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Why the OneDrive 100 GB plan became Microsoft 365 Basic
Microsoft replaced its OneDrive 100 GB Standalone plan with Microsoft 365 Basic on January 30, 2023. The standalone plan stopped being available for new purchases; existing subscribers were transitioned automatically, without action required or a change to their plan cost at the time of transition.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed
- Pre-formatted NTFS for Windows PC (reformatting required for Mac computers)
Rank #4
- Ultra Slim and Sturdy Metal Design: Merely 0.4 inch thick. All-Aluminum anti-scratch model delivers remarkable strength and durability, keeping this portable hard drive running cool and quiet.
- Compatibility: It is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7/8/10, and provides fast and stable performance for PC, Laptop.
- Improve PC Performance: Powered by USB 3.0 technology, this USB hard drive is much faster than - but still compatible with - USB 2.0 backup drive, allowing for super fast transfer speed at up to 5 Gbit/s.
- Plug and Play: This external drive is ready to use without external power supply or software installation needed. Ideal extra storage for your computer and game console.
- What's Included: Portable external hard drive, 19-inch(48.26cm) USB 3.0 hard drive cable, user's manual, 3-Year manufacturer warranty with free technical support service.
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