Where to get Microsoft Word and what it costs

Microsoft Word is sold through Microsoft's official website, not through app stores or third-party retailers. You can buy it as a standalone program or as part of Microsoft 365, which is a subscription that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other programs.

A standalone copy of Word costs around $160 and works on one computer permanently. Microsoft 365 costs about $70 per year for personal use and works on up to five devices at once, with automatic updates included. Some people get Word free through their employer, school, or existing subscriptions — check your email or your organisation's software portal before you buy.

If you want to try Word before paying, Microsoft offers a free 30-day trial that includes the full version. You can also use Word Online free through a Microsoft account, though it has fewer features than the desktop version.

Key Takeaways

  • read Word directly from Microsoft.com, not from app stores or other websites, to avoid scams and may support you get the real program.
  • You need a Microsoft account (free to create) before you can read or install Word, even if you have already paid for it.
  • The read takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed, and installation happens automatically after the read finishes.
  • After installation, sign in with your Microsoft account and enter your product key or subscription details so Word knows you have paid for it.

Creating or signing into your Microsoft account

Before you read Word, you need a Microsoft account. This is a free account that lets you sign into Microsoft programs and services. If you use Outlook email, OneDrive, or an Xbox, you already have one.

To create a new account, go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser. Click "Create one" and enter an email address (you can use any email, including Gmail or Yahoo). Choose a password, add your birth date and country, then click through the verification steps. Microsoft will send a code to your email — enter it to confirm your account is real.

Once your account is set up, write down your email and password somewhere safe. You will need both to read Word and to sign in every time you open it.

Downloading Word from Microsoft.com

Go to microsoft.com/microsoft-365/word in your web browser. If you are buying Word for the first time, click the button that says "Buy now" or "Try for free" depending on what you want. If you have already bought Word or Microsoft 365, sign in with your Microsoft account first — the page will show you a "read" or "Install" button instead.

Click the read button. Your browser will start downloading a file called "Setup.exe" (on Windows) or "Microsoft Word Installer" (on Mac). The file is usually 2 to 4 gigabytes, so it may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Do not close your browser or turn off your computer while it downloads.

When the read finishes, look for the file in your Downloads folder. On Windows, double-click "Setup.exe". On Mac, double-click the installer file. The installation window will open automatically.

Installing Word on your computer

After you double-click the installer, a window will appear asking where you want to install Word. In most cases, you can just click "Install" or "Next" to use the default location. Word will install itself — this usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your screen may go blank or show a loading bar. Do not close this window or restart your computer.

When installation finishes, you will see a message saying "Installation complete" or "Word is ready to use". Click "Close" or "Finish". Word may ask you to restart your computer — if it does, save any open work first, then restart.

After your computer restarts, open Word by clicking its icon on your desktop or by searching for "Word" in your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac). The first time you open it, Word will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account. Enter the email and password you created earlier.

Entering your product key or subscription details

After you sign in, Word needs to know that you have paid for it. If you bought a standalone copy, you will have a product key — a 25-character code that came with your purchase, usually in an email or on a card inside the box. Click "Enter a product key" and type it in exactly as it appears, including hyphens.

If you bought Microsoft 365, you do not need a product key. Just sign in with the Microsoft account you used to buy the subscription, and Word will recognise that you have paid. If you are using a free trial, Word will show you how many days are left before the trial ends.

Once Word recognises your payment or trial, you can start using it. All your settings and documents will sync across any other devices where you sign in with the same Microsoft account.

Troubleshooting read and installation problems

If the read stops or fails, your internet connection may have dropped. Close your browser, check that you are connected to the internet, then go back to microsoft.com/microsoft-365/word and start the read again. Your browser usually resumes from where it left off instead of starting over.

If the installer will not open after downloading, your antivirus software may be blocking it. This is a safety feature, but Setup.exe from Microsoft is safe. Open your antivirus program, look for a quarantine or blocked files section, and allow Setup.exe to run. Then try double-clicking the installer again.

If Word opens but says your product key is invalid, check that you typed it correctly — product keys are case-sensitive and must include hyphens in the right places. If you are still stuck, sign out of Word, restart your computer, and sign back in. If the problem continues, contact Microsoft support through your account at support.microsoft.com.

Keeping Word up to date

Microsoft releases updates to Word regularly to fix problems and add features. If you bought a standalone copy, you need to install updates manually. Open Word, click "File" at the top left, then look for "Update options" or "Check for updates". Click it and follow the prompts.

If you have Microsoft 365, updates happen automatically in the background — you do not need to do anything. Word will update itself when you are not using it, usually overnight or when your computer is idle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Word on more than one computer?

If you bought a standalone copy, you can install it on only one computer. If you have Microsoft 365, you can install it on up to five devices — sign in with the same Microsoft account on each one. Each device counts as one installation, even if multiple people use that device.

What if I do not have a Microsoft account yet?

You can create one for free at account.microsoft.com before you read Word. It takes about five minutes and requires only an email address and password. You do not need a credit card to create an account unless you are buying Word or a subscription.

Is it safe to read Word from websites other than Microsoft.com?

No. Always read Word directly from Microsoft.com or through the Microsoft Store on Windows. Other websites may offer Word downloads that contain viruses or malware. If you see Word for sale on an unfamiliar website at a very low price, it is almost certainly a scam.

How much space does Word take up on my computer?

Word usually takes 2 to 4 gigabytes of space after installation. Make sure your computer has at least 5 gigabytes of free space before you start the read, so there is room for the installer file and the program itself.

Can I use Word offline, or do I need the internet?

The desktop version of Word works offline — you can open, edit, and save documents without an internet connection. However, you need the internet to sign in the first time and to sync your documents to OneDrive. Word Online (the free version on Microsoft.com) requires an active internet connection to use.