What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a collection of services that provides you with Microsoft Office applications in the cloud, so you don’t need to physically install them on each PC, laptop or mobile device that you use.
What do I get if I use Microsoft 365
You’ll get an Outlook email account (your official College email), OneDrive cloud storage (100gb), access to Office applications in the cloud and up to 15 physical Office installations across multiple devices. When you log in to Microsoft 365, you’ll see the list of apps and all details.
When do I get Microsoft 365?
Your account is created when you register for your first course. The details (including your Douglas College email address) are sent to your personal email — the one informed to the College when you register. If you do not have this email from Douglas, you can either check this information in Blackboard on the Password Portal.
How do I login?
1. Go to http://portal.office.com.
2. On the Email field, type your College email address (username@student.douglascollege.ca). NOTE: this email address can also be found in Blackboard. Login to Blackboard -> click on your name in the left navigation menu -> View E-mail address.
3. On the Password field, type the Wi-Fi password (College Network Access password. Your password is sent to your personal email when you're registered for at least one course).
4. Click Sign in.
How long do I have access to it?
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Microsoft 365 is available while you’re a student at Douglas College. Once you’ve completed your studies, the system will email you a request to move all the files you’d like to keep from OneDrive to your personal storage. You’ll receive a 30-day notice prior to the expiry date. All files left on the Microsoft 365 system after that will be deleted permanently.
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Please note: If you withdraw or drop out from your course at any given point during your course duration, your Microsoft 365 account will be deleted immediately. You will NOT RECEIVE a 30-day notice before Microsoft deletes your account. Be sure to back up any files or emails that you would like to preserve before withdrawing or dropping out of your classes or your course.
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You can visit https://products.office.com/en-CA/ and https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/11545/microsoft-account-change-personal-email-address for more information.
Who can use it?
The service is available to all active students registered in an academic course at Douglas.
Why should I care about Microsoft applications in the cloud?
Some of them are the same ones you use for your assignments: Word, PowerPoint and Excel. The difference is that they’re cloud applications, so it doesn’t matter where you are and if you have the software installed on your computer. As long as you have a mobile device and Internet access, you’ll be able to work on your assignments. Besides, you can also download the applications to up to 15 different devices.
What are the best practices for saving and storing data?
- OneDrive: OneDrive is a safe option to save your data. If you store your assignments in OneDrive, you’ll have access to them anytime. You won’t be in a situation where you can’t work on them. We’re giving you 100 GB of space. It’s enough to store an essay of 85 million pages or 300,000 photos.
- Local / Home Computer: To ensure you have access to your files even after you complete your studies at Douglas College or you withdraw from the course mid-way, we recommend that in addition to storing your files on OneDrive, always ensure you save a copy in your local / home computer. OneDrive files are deleted once you have completed your studies or have withdrawn/dropped all your courses. Refer to this FAQ for more information on Microsoft access - How Long Do I have Access to it?
- Encrypted USB Devices: DO NOT use non-encrypted USB devices. Save your data securely on password protected (encrypted) USB devices.
My legal name has changed. How do I change my email address?
If your legal name has changed, please request the change to Enrolment Services. After that, they’ll contact IT Services to make the changes. Please wait for an email from IT Services in your personal email account confirming the change. If you don’t hear back from us after a few days, please contact Enrolment Services again.
What should I do if I cannot see my Blackboard course emails in my Microsoft 365 inbox?
Check your Junk Email folder. They’re probably there. When you find the messages you’re looking for, select them and click “not junk” at the horizontal menu at the top. By doing it, the emails will be immediately moved to their correct folder.
How can I get more help?
If you are having problems logging in to Microsoft 365, visit the Password Portal at https://password.douglascollege.ca
Go to https://support.microsoft.com for other issues involving Microsoft 365.