How to Install Microsoft Office: Subscribe and Download

A simple guide for manually downloading Office

This wikiHow teaches you how to download and install Microsoft Office on your Windows or Mac computer. Microsoft Office is a suite of software that includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. This guide covers downloading Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, Office 2016, and Office 2013.

Things You Should Know

  • As of late 2022, the Microsoft Office subscription is now part of the Microsoft 365 subscription.
  • To install on Windows or Mac, go to https://www.office.com/, sign in, and click Install Office.
  • On Windows, double-click the setup file to start the installation.
  • On Mac, double-click the setup file to open the installation wizard. Follow the prompts to install Office.
Section 1 of 5:

Subscribing to Microsoft 365

  1. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 1
    1
    Go to https://www.microsoft.com/. Then, select Microsoft 365 in the top menu bar. This is the official product page for Microsoft 365.
    • In late 2022, Microsoft Office became part of Microsoft 365. Subscribing to Microsoft 365 gives you access to the apps that were part of Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).[1]
    • There is also the option for a one-time purchase of Office Home & Student 2021, which includes the 2021 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  2. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 2
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    Click Buy now. This is located in the top menu bar.
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  3. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 3
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    Select a plan. Click Buy Now to start the purchasing process for a subscription plan. There are a few options:
    • Pay yearly or monthly.
    • Select the Family plan if you have multiple users, or the Personal plan if it’s just for you.
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    4
    Sign in to your Microsoft Account. Then, follow the instructions to complete your purchase.
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Section 2 of 5:

Installing Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on Windows

  1. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 5
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    Go to https://www.office.com/. Click Sign in if you aren’t already signed in.[2]
  2. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 6
    2
    Click Install Office. This is a button on the Office home page.
  3. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 7
    3
    Click Install. It's a button in the Microsoft 365 subscription section. This might also be labeled Install Office >. The download for the Office setup file will start.
    • For work and student accounts, click Office 365 apps or Microsoft 365 apps instead.
  4. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 8
    4
    Click Save File. Your Office setup file will begin downloading.
    • You may have the options to select Run or Setup depending on your browser.
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    Double-click the Office setup file. You'll find it in your computer's default download location.
    • Skip this step if the installation has already started.
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    Click Yes when prompted. You may see a prompt asking “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” Selecting Yes will run the setup file and begin installing Office on your computer.
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    Wait for Microsoft Office to finish installing. This process may take several minutes.
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    Click Close when prompted. Your Microsoft Office programs have now been installed on your computer. You can begin using these programs right away.
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Section 3 of 5:

Installing Office 2019/2016/2013 on Windows

  1. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 13
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    Go to https://account.microsoft.com/. This will take you to your Microsoft account dashboard.[3]
    • Click Sign in to sign in if you aren’t already.
  2. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 14
    2
    Click Services and subscriptions. This is a tab at the top of the Microsoft account dashboard page.
  3. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 15
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    Click Install. This is located next to the version of Office you’ve purchased.
  4. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 16
    4
    Click Save File. Your Office setup file will begin downloading.
    • You may have the options to select Run or Setup depending on your browser.
  5. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 17
    5
    Double-click the Office setup file. You'll find it in your computer's default download location.
    • Skip this step if the installation has already started.
  6. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 18
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    Click Yes when prompted. You may see a prompt asking “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” Selecting Yes will run the setup file and begin installing Office on your computer.
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    7
    Wait for Microsoft Office to finish installing. This process may take several minutes.
  8. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 20
    8
    Click Close when prompted. Your Microsoft Office programs have now been installed on your computer. You can begin using these programs right away.
    • For Office 2013, you’ll see a window that says “You’re good to go.” Click All done! to close the window and start using Office.
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Section 4 of 5:

Installing Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on Mac

  1. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 21
    1
    Go to https://www.office.com/. Click Sign in if you aren’t already signed in.
  2. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 22
    2
    Click Install Office. This is a button on the Office home page.
    • If you signed in to a work or student account, select Office 365 apps or Microsoft 365 apps after clicking Install Office.
  3. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 23
    3
    Open Finder. It's a blue, face-shaped app in your Mac's Dock.
  4. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 24
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    Click Downloads. This folder is on the left side of the Finder window.
    • If your browser downloads files to a different folder (e.g., your desktop), click that folder's name instead.
  5. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 25
    5
    Double-click the Office setup file. Doing so will prompt it to begin running.
    • If you receive an error saying that the file can't be installed:
      • Try verifying the download before continuing. Microsoft is a signed developer, but Microsoft software doesn't always work flawlessly on a Mac.
      • You can also try waiting 10 seconds and trying again. If the window says “Verifying” but seems to be stuck, close that window and try again.
  6. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 26
    6
    Click Continue twice. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page. You'll do this once on the first page of the setup, and then again on the second page.
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    Click Agree. This will indicate that you agree to Microsoft's terms of use.
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    Click Continue. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page.
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    Click Install. This button is in the bottom-right corner of the page.
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    Enter your Mac's password. Type in the password you use to log into your Mac.
  11. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 31
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    Click Install Software. It's in the bottom-right corner of the password entry window. Doing so will begin installing Microsoft Office on your computer.
    • The installation process may take a while.
  12. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 32
    12
    Click Close when prompted. Your Microsoft Office programs have now been installed on your computer. You're free to begin using these programs right away.
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Section 5 of 5:

Installing Office 2019/2016 on Mac

  1. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 33
    1
    Go to https://account.microsoft.com/. This will take you to your Microsoft account dashboard.[4]
    • Click Sign in to sign in if you aren’t already.
    • Note that Office 2013 for Mac is no longer available for download through a Microsoft 365 subscription.[5]
  2. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 34
    2
    Click Services and subscriptions. This is a tab at the top of the Microsoft account dashboard page.
  3. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 35
    3
    Click Install. This is located next to the version of Office you’ve purchased. Pressing Install will download the setup file to your computer.
  4. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 36
    4
    Open Finder. It's a blue, face-shaped app in your Mac's Dock.
  5. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 37
    5
    Click Downloads. This folder is on the left side of the Finder window.
    • If your browser downloads files to a different folder (e.g., your desktop), click that folder's name instead.
  6. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 38
    6
    Double-click the Office setup file. Doing so will prompt it to begin running.
    • If you receive an error saying that the file can't be installed:
      • Try verifying the download before continuing. Microsoft is a signed developer, but Microsoft software doesn't always work flawlessly on a Mac.
      • You can also try waiting 10 seconds and trying again. If the window says “Verifying” but seems to be stuck, close that window and try again.
  7. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 39
    7
    Click Continue twice. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page. You'll do this once on the first page of the setup, and then again on the second page.
  8. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 40
    8
    Click Agree. This will indicate that you agree to Microsoft's terms of use.
  9. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 41
    9
    Click Continue. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page.
  10. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 42
    10
    Click Install. This button is in the bottom-right corner of the page.
  11. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 43
    11
    Enter your Mac's password. Type in the password you use to log into your Mac.
  12. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 44
    12
    Click Install Software. It's in the bottom-right corner of the password entry window. Doing so will begin installing Microsoft Office on your computer.
    • The installation process may take a while.
  13. Image titled Install Microsoft Office Step 45
    13
    Click Close when prompted. Your Microsoft Office programs have now been installed on your computer. You're free to begin using these programs right away.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I download Office 2013?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, it is possible to download Office 2013; the Microsoft website explains what to do for downloading the program. See How to Install Office 2013 for installation instructions.
  • Question
    How can I install MS Office 2007?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    For detailed instructions with images to assist you on installing Microsoft Office 2007, see the article How to Install Microsoft Office 2007.
  • Question
    How do you install Microsoft Office 2010?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You’ll need to either download the MS 2010 software (and run the installer) or obtain it via a CD disk (place in the disk drive). You'll need to enter your product key, email and account security details before you can proceed (the product key is on the packaging or should have been provided with your download). The software will then provide prompts for full installation, or follow the installation instructions outlined above in this article.
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Warnings

  • Your 365 subscription will renew automatically. Make sure you cancel your subscription ahead of time if you don't want to be charged again.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-faqs
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2021-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658#InstallSteps=Install_on_a_PC
  3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-office-2019-office-2016-or-office-2013-7c695b06-6d1a-4917-809c-98ce43f86479#OfficeVersion=Office_2019_or_2016_for_PC
  4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-office-2019-office-2016-or-office-2013-7c695b06-6d1a-4917-809c-98ce43f86479#OfficeVersion=Office_2019_or_2016_for_PC
  5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/office-2013-and-office-for-mac-2011-are-no-longer-available-for-installation-with-a-microsoft-365-subscription-de68fd95-553a-4c38-b1b5-e4205b96fc75

About This Article

Kyle Smith
Written by:
Kyle Smith
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith. Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been viewed 776,611 times.
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Co-authors: 43
Updated: January 5, 2023
Views: 776,611
Categories: Microsoft Office
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