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How to download and install Microsoft 365 (Office) apps on your computer
Download the Microsoft 365 desktop apps from your account home page, install them, and sign in once so Word, Excel and the rest are activated with your licence.
By Nur Islam- 2:44 video
- 5 steps
Jump to a step (5)
New staff and small business owners often have a Microsoft 365 account but only use Word and Excel in the browser, or install the apps and see limited features because they never signed in. They are not sure whether their plan includes the desktop apps at all.
If your licence includes the desktop apps, the Microsoft 365 home page shows an Install apps button. You run the installer, open any app, and sign in with your work account. That one sign-in activates all the apps and connects them to your OneDrive.
What you need
- A Microsoft 365 licence that includes the desktop apps (for example Business Standard, Business Premium or Apps for business)
- Your Microsoft 365 work account and password
- A Windows PC or Mac with admin rights to install software
Step by step
0 of 5 done-
01
Sign in to the Microsoft 365 home page
In your browser go to office.com and sign in with your work account. You land on the Microsoft 365 home page.
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02
Download the installer
Select
Install apps. You only see this button if your account has a licence that includes the desktop apps. The installer downloads to your computer. -
03
Run the installer
Open the downloaded file. The apps install in a few minutes. Close the window when you see the message that installation is finished.
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04
Sign in to activate the apps
Open any app, such as Excel, and select
Sign in. Use the same work account that has the licence. Without signing in, the apps are not activated and have limited features.On your own computer, allow it to stay signed in to all your apps so you do not have to sign in again in Word, PowerPoint and the rest.
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05
Check the licence
In any app go to
File>Account. UnderProduct Informationyou should see your subscription, for exampleMicrosoft 365 Apps for business. Open Word to confirm it shows the same account.
Tips and common problems
- No Install apps button? Your licence probably does not include desktop apps. Microsoft 365 Business Basic, for example, includes only the web and mobile versions.
- Sign in with the licensed account after installing, or the apps run with limited functionality.
- Signing in to one app signs you in to all of them and connects them to your OneDrive.
- If you do not want to install anything, use Word, Excel and the other apps online from the same home page.
Questions
Does Microsoft 365 Business Basic include the desktop Office apps?
No. Business Basic includes the web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Business Standard, Business Premium and Microsoft 365 Apps for business include the desktop apps.
Why do my Office apps say they are not activated?
You need to sign in with the Microsoft 365 account that has the licence. Open any app, select Sign in, and all the apps are activated.
Where do I download Office apps with my work account?
Sign in at office.com with your work account and select Install apps on the Microsoft 365 home page.
