Microsoft is changing its Microsoft 365 Family and Premium subscriptions to let all members access its AI-powered Copilot features, ending a restriction that previously limited these benefits to the primary account holder. The update, reported on October 9, will allow the subscription owner to share AI access with up to five additional people, making the tools available to as many as six users under one plan. The changes are expected to roll out over the coming months.
The move comes as Microsoft expands its consumer AI offerings and adjusts how it allocates AI usage and cloud storage. While the expanded access is welcome news for families, the company is also introducing a shared OneDrive storage limit that could affect households with heavy storage needs.
Until now, Microsoft 365 Family subscribers could share Office applications and cloud storage, but only the primary account holder could use the subscription’s AI benefits. The new policy will extend Copilot access and AI usage allowances to other members on the plan.
Copilot can help with tasks such as drafting documents in Word, analyzing data in Excel, creating presentations in PowerPoint, and managing email in Outlook. Allowing multiple family members to use these tools could make the subscription more useful for households with different work, study and productivity needs. Microsoft also plans to let subscription owners manage AI access for younger family members, adding a layer of control over how the tools are used.
The update will also change how AI usage is allocated. Instead of separate limits tied to individual advanced AI features, subscribers will receive a shared AI usage allowance that can be applied to the advanced tools they use most.
Users who need additional capacity may be able to purchase more AI usage. This gives families more flexibility, but it also means members will need to manage the allowance collectively rather than treating each feature as a separate quota.
The biggest trade-off is the change to OneDrive storage. Microsoft 365 Family subscribers previously received 1TB per person, potentially providing up to 6TB across six users. Under the revised model, the plan will include 2TB of shared storage for the entire subscription.
According to Microsoft, pooled storage will let members who need more space use capacity others don't use. However, families that store large photo libraries, videos, and work files could find the new limit restrictive. Files will remain private unless users choose to share them.
Also Read: Microsoft Launches New Copilot with AI Agents, Office and Code Tools
New and upgraded eligible subscriptions began moving to the shared-storage model in October 2026, while existing subscribers will transition at renewal on or after the applicable 2027 rollout date. Microsoft says eligible customers in some markets may receive temporary additional storage.
The changes reflect Microsoft's effort to make its AI subscriptions more flexible while managing the costs of advanced features. For families, the benefit will depend on how frequently each member uses Copilot and whether the new shared storage allowance meets their needs.