Hi @Hanthorn Jeff
Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.
To ensure your newly‑activated Microsoft 365 E5 subscription is usable, the key step is assigning the E5 license to your users.
Here are the simplest and most reliable ways to do it, based on Microsoft’s official guidance.
1.Assign via Active users
-Go to Microsoft 365 admin center.
-Navigate to Users > Active users.
-Select a user > Licenses and apps > Check Microsoft 365 E5 > Save changes.
2.Assign via Licenses page
-In the Microsoft 365 admin center, go to the Billing > Licenses page.
-Select a product.
-On the product details page, select Assign licenses.
-In the Assign licenses to users pane, begin typing a name, and then choose it from the results to add it to the list. You can add up to 20 users at a time > Assign license, then close the right pane.
Reference: Assign or unassign licenses for users in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Mic…
3.You can also assign licenses to groups for easier management Assign or unassign licenses to a group in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Mi…
Then verify the license is applied:
-For a user: Microsoft 365 admin center > Active users > Confirm Microsoft 365 E5 is listed under Licenses.
-Tenant-wide check: Billing > Licenses > Confirm E5 shows Assigned vs Available counts.
I hope this information is helpful.
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