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To install the desktop version of Word, sign in to Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 apps page with the account that owns an eligible license, select Install apps, and follow the installer’s prompts. After installation, open Word from the Windows Start menu or the Mac Applications folder, then sign in to activate it if asked. The download itself does not provide a license.
Before you install Word, check your license
The account and license you use determine whether you can install and activate Word. Microsoft’s installation guide advises checking that your PC or Mac meets the system requirements before you begin.
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- Microsoft 365 subscription or redeemed personal purchase: Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the subscription or purchase.
- Work or school access: Use your organization account. The organization’s plan must include desktop apps, and an administrator must assign you a license.
- Standalone or volume-licensed Office: Some products use a different setup route. Follow the instructions for the specific product and license rather than assuming the standard Microsoft 365 apps page applies.
If you are unsure which account has your entitlement, check the account you used when buying or redeeming Office. Installing the software without an eligible license will not grant desktop editing rights.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesInstall Word on a Windows PC or Mac
- Open Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 apps page. Sign in with the personal or organization account associated with your license.
- Select Install apps. Follow the on-screen prompts and choose the installer for your PC or Mac. Check the system requirements before proceeding.
- Run the downloaded installer. Allow it to make changes if your computer requests permission, then follow the setup prompts until installation completes.
- Open Word. On Windows, search for Word from the Start menu. On a Mac, open the Applications folder and select Word.
- Activate if prompted. Sign in using the account associated with the eligible license and complete any activation steps shown in Word.
Choose the right way to get Word
| Option | Payment and scope | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | Subscription that provides current apps; exact plans and availability vary. | People who want a subscription and current app versions. |
| Office 2024 | One-time purchase for one PC or Mac. It does not receive new features and has no upgrade option to the next major release. | People who prefer a one-time purchase and do not need the next major-release upgrade included. |
| Word for the web (Microsoft 365 Online) | Browser-based Word available with a Microsoft account; some advanced features require desktop apps. | People whose needs are met by browser-based document editing. |
Microsoft says standalone versions of Word are available for Mac or PC. If you install an Office suite, however, its installer typically does not let you choose Word alone. You can unpin apps you do not want to see from Start, but that does not amount to a custom Word-only suite installation.
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Mac App Store Word has a different licensing requirement
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint downloaded from the Mac App Store require a Microsoft 365 subscription to create and edit documents. A perpetual, one-time Office license does not work with those App Store editions. If you have a one-time Office license and encounter reduced functionality or an activation mismatch, remove the App Store versions and install the appropriate apps directly from Microsoft.
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If Word will not install or activate
- No install option appears: For a work or school account, ask the administrator whether your plan includes desktop apps and whether a license has been assigned. For a personal account, confirm you signed in with the account tied to the purchase or subscription.
- Word opens but asks you to activate: Sign in with the account associated with your eligible license and follow the activation prompts. Having the installer does not itself provide a license.
- Mac App Store Word will not accept a one-time license: The App Store editions require a Microsoft 365 subscription for editing. Install the compatible apps directly from Microsoft instead.
- You only need basic browser editing: Use Microsoft 365 Online with a Microsoft account; switch to desktop Word if you need features unavailable in the browser.
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