Last updated on May 11, 2026

We have received many inquiries stating that “the desktop version of Office cannot be used / has become unavailable.”
In many cases, this is due to a change in the Microsoft 365 license type resulting from a change in user status.
This especially occurs in the following cases:

・Certain medical staff at Kyoto University Hospital
・When a user’s status changes from student to Program-Specific Researcher (JSPS PD), etc.
・When faculty or staff with an SPS-ID change to a non-employment status (ECS-ID)

In these cases, the license changes from an A3 license to an A1 license, or the user becomes ineligible for the A3 license, resulting in the desktop version of Office becoming unavailable.
Please first review the information below and take appropriate action according to your situation.

Microsoft 365 licenses provided by Kyoto University fall into the following two types:
・A3 license (allows installation and use of Office on a PC)
・A1 license (Office is available only via the web)
Faculty and staff with an SPS-ID who have an employment relationship with the university (excluding some medical positions), and students with an ECS-ID, are assigned an A3 license. However, part-time lecturers, Professor Emeritus, Program-Specific Researcher (JSPS PD), and others with an ECS-ID are assigned an A1 license.
For details, please refer to “1.1. Who is eligible?” in the user manual.
https://www.iimc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/services/cloud-service/microsoft#03

If you wish to use the desktop version of Office, please consider the following two options:

1. Install and use the on-premises version of Office
If the PC you are using is a university-owned device (personal devices are not allowed), you can install an on-premises version of Office (such as Office Professional Plus).
The PC can be treated as a shared PC, and under the management of the applicant (a person with an SPS-ID who manages the device), it is possible to install and use the on-premises version of Office.
*Only users with an SPS-ID who are eligible for an A3 license can submit a request.
To install the on-premises version of Office, you must uninstall Microsoft 365 in advance.

For details, please refer to the following URL (accessible only to users with an SPS-ID):
https://kubar.rd.iimc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/office-on-shared-devices/
(If you wish to apply for the on-premises version of Office, go to “3. Office Professional Plus” > “Installation Guide” > “Submit a request for "on-premises" versions of Office”)

2. Purchase “Kyoto University M365 A3 Additional Individual License” at the university co-op
Since October 2024, the university co-op has started selling the “Kyoto University M365 A3 Additional Individual License.”
Users who do not currently have an A3 license can purchase this to use an A3 license for the duration of the contract.
By purchasing this license, an A3 license will be assigned to your account, allowing you to use the desktop version of Office by signing in with that account.

For further details, please contact the university co-op.
https://www.s-coop.net/service/research/inquiry/