Where to get Microsoft 365 and what you need before you start

You read Microsoft 365 from Microsoft's website or from the Microsoft Store app on Windows. Before you start, you need either an active Microsoft 365 subscription (which you pay for monthly or yearly) or a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office. If your workplace or school provides Microsoft 365, you may be able to read it using your work or school email address at no cost to you.

Have your Microsoft account email and password ready. If you don't have a Microsoft account yet, you can create one free at account.microsoft.com. You'll also need about 4 to 6 gigabytes of free disk space, depending on which apps you choose to install.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft 365 downloads from microsoft.com or the Microsoft Store, and you need a valid subscription or a one-time Office purchase to install it.
  • Sign in with your Microsoft account email and password, then select which apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and others) you want to read.
  • The installer runs automatically after read and takes 15 to 30 minutes to finish, depending on your internet speed and computer.
  • After installation, open any Microsoft 365 app and sign in again with the same Microsoft account to set up your subscription.
  • If you have a work or school email, check with your IT department or school first — your organization may provide Microsoft 365 for free.

Downloading Microsoft 365 from the web

Go to microsoft.com/microsoft-365 in your web browser. Click the button that says "Install" or "read" (the exact wording changes depending on which subscription you have). You'll be asked to sign in with your Microsoft account email and password.

After you sign in, you'll see a list of apps you can install: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and others. Not all apps come with every subscription — Microsoft 365 Personal and Family include the main apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote), while Microsoft 365 Business plans may include different combinations. Check the box next to each app you want, then click "Install" or "Next".

A file called "Microsoft365SetupInstaller.exe" (on Windows) or "Microsoft_365.pkg" (on Mac) will read to your computer. Open this file by double-clicking it. The installer will start automatically and begin downloading the full apps to your computer.

Installing from the Microsoft Store on Windows

If you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can also read Microsoft 365 through the Microsoft Store app. Open the Microsoft Store (search for "Microsoft Store" in your Windows search bar), then search for "Microsoft 365" at the top.

Click the result that says "Microsoft 365" (not individual apps like "Word" or "Excel"). Click "Install" or "Get". You'll be asked to sign in with your Microsoft account. After you sign in, the apps will read and install automatically.

The Store method is simpler if you prefer not to manage a separate installer file, but both routes end at the same place: the full Microsoft 365 apps on your computer.

What happens during installation and how long it takes

Once the installer starts, it will read each app you selected. You'll see a progress bar showing how much has been downloaded. On a typical home internet connection (25 to 100 megabits per second), installation takes 15 to 30 minutes. On slower connections, it may take an hour or more.

Your computer will need to restart during installation. Save any open work before you start, because the restart will happen without warning. You don't need to do anything — the installer will restart your computer and pick up where it left off.

When installation finishes, you'll see a message saying "You're all set" or similar. The Microsoft 365 apps will now appear in your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).

Signing in and activating your subscription

Open any Microsoft 365 app — Word, Excel, or Outlook are the most common. You'll see a sign-in screen. Enter the Microsoft account email and password you used to read the apps. Click "Sign in".

The app will check your subscription and set up it. This usually takes a few seconds. Once it's done, you'll see the app's main screen and you can start using it. You only need to sign in once per app — after that, you'll stay signed in unless you manually sign out.

If you see a message saying your subscription is not valid or has expired, check that you're using the correct Microsoft account. If you bought a one-time Office license (rather than a subscription), make sure you're signing in with the account you used to purchase it.

Troubleshooting common read and installation problems

If the installer won't start or keeps stopping, check that you have at least 4 to 6 gigabytes of free disk space. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), right-click your main drive, and select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac) to see how much space is free. If you're low on space, delete old files or programs you don't use.

If the read is very slow or keeps pausing, restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in) and try again. Close other programs that use the internet, like web browsers or video streaming apps, to free up bandwidth.

If you see an error message during installation, write down the error code and search for it on Microsoft's support website (support.microsoft.com). Most error codes have a known fix. You can also try uninstalling Microsoft 365 completely and downloading it again — sometimes a corrupted read file is the cause.

Getting Microsoft 365 through your workplace or school

Many employers and schools provide Microsoft 365 subscriptions to their employees and students for free. If this applies to you, you won't read from microsoft.com. Instead, go to your organization's portal or ask your IT department or school IT help desk for the read link.

You'll sign in with your work or school email address (not a personal Microsoft account). After you sign in, the read and installation process is the same as described above. Your organization pays for the subscription, so you won't see any charges.

If you're not sure whether your organization provides Microsoft 365, ask your IT department or check your employee handbook or school website. It's worth asking before you buy a personal subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Microsoft 365 on more than one computer?

Yes. Microsoft 365 subscriptions (not one-time Office purchases) let you install on up to 5 computers or devices at the same time. Sign in with the same Microsoft account on each device and follow the same read and installation steps. You can be signed in on all 5 devices at once.

What's the difference between Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office is a one-time purchase — you pay once and own the apps forever (though you won't get updates after a few years). Microsoft 365 is a subscription — you pay monthly or yearly and always get the newest versions and cloud storage. For most people, Microsoft 365 is the better choice because you get updates and cloud features.

Do I need to be online to use Microsoft 365 after I install it?

No. Once installed and activated, you can use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook offline. However, some features (like saving to OneDrive cloud storage or using Outlook's email sync) work better when you're online. You need to sign in at least once every 30 days to keep your subscription active.

Can I uninstall individual apps like Word but keep Excel?

Yes. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps and Features (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac), find "Microsoft 365" or the app name, and click "Uninstall". You can uninstall any single app without affecting the others. To reinstall it later, go back to microsoft.com or the Microsoft Store and read it again.

What if the installer says my account doesn't have a valid subscription?

Make sure you're signing in with the Microsoft account that has the active subscription. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, you may be signing in with the wrong one. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and check which subscriptions are attached to that account. If the subscription is on a different account, sign out and sign in with that account instead.