Getting Started
Installing M365 Apps on Your Computer
This guide walks you through downloading and installing the Microsoft 365 desktop apps — Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and more — on your Windows PC or Mac.
Time needed
20–40 minutes (including download time)
Platform
Microsoft 365
Guide steps
4 clear sections
Before you begin
A Microsoft 365 licence that includes desktop apps (Business Standard, Business Premium, or Apps for Business). You will need your work email address and password. You must have administrator rights on your computer, or ask your IT team to perform the installation.
Follow along
Step-by-step guide
Download the installer from the portal
- Instruction 1: Open a browser and go to portal.office.com. Sign in with your work email and password.
- Instruction 2: On the portal home page, click the Install Office button in the top-right area, or click your profile picture and look for Install apps.
- Instruction 3: If you do not see this option, your IT team may manage app installation centrally. Contact the helpdesk before proceeding.
- Instruction 4: Click Microsoft 365 Apps (or Office 365 Apps) from the dropdown. This will download the installer file to your computer.
Action map
Download the installer from the portal
- 01
Open a browser and go to portal.office.com. Sign in with your work email and password.
- 02
On the portal home page, click the Install Office button in the top-right area, or click…
- 03
If you do not see this option, your IT team may manage app installation centrally.…
Visual guide
Use this visual action map alongside the written instructions above.
Open Microsoft 365 help & learning for Installing M365 Apps on Your ComputerRun the installer — Windows
- Instruction 1: Open the downloaded file (it will be named something like OfficeSetup.exe). You may need to click Run or Yes at a security prompt.
- Instruction 2: The installer will run automatically. You will see a progress screen as Office downloads and installs — this can take 10–30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
- Instruction 3: Do not turn off your computer or close the installer window while it is running.
- Instruction 4: When the installation is complete, click Close. You will find the apps in your Start menu under Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.
Run the installer — Mac
- Instruction 1: Open the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts. You may need to enter your Mac password to allow the installation.
- Instruction 2: The installer will place Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams in your Applications folder.
- Instruction 3: When complete, open one of the apps and sign in with your work email address as described in the 'Logging into M365 (Desktop Apps)' guide.
Sign in and activate
- Instruction 1: Open Word (or any installed app). When prompted, sign in with your work email address and password.
- Instruction 2: Approve the MFA request if one appears.
- Instruction 3: The apps will activate automatically once signed in. You should see 'Product Activated' or your name in the Account area (File > Account).
Quick fixes
Troubleshooting
I do not see the Install Office button on the portal
Your licence may not include desktop apps, or your IT team may have disabled self-installation. Contact the helpdesk — they can either change your licence or push the apps to your computer centrally.
The installation keeps failing or gets stuck
Try restarting your computer, then run the installer again. If it still fails, run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (downloadable from support.microsoft.com) or contact the helpdesk.
Office says I have reached the device limit
Microsoft 365 allows installation on up to five devices per user. If you are over the limit, go to portal.office.com, click your profile, then View account, then Devices, and remove an old device before installing on the new one.
Still need a hand?
Our support team can help with Microsoft 365.
Tell us where you got stuck and what you see on screen.