How to Install Microsoft Office 2013, 2016, or the Latest Versions
Among the most widely used software suites are those from Microsoft Office, which include tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and many others. Microsoft Office is quite easy to install, though the steps vary slightly depending on the version to be installed. We’re going to walk you through installing some of the most common versions: Microsoft Office 2013, 2016, and newer versions, so you can easily do it yourself.
What You’ll Need Before You Start:
- A Microsoft Office product key or Microsoft 365 account.
- A stable internet connection for downloading Office.
- Enough storage space on your device.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Microsoft Office
1. Purchase and Download Microsoft Office
If you haven’t purchased Office yet, follow these steps:
- Office 2013 & 2016: These versions can be bought as one-time purchases from the Microsoft Store or other retailing shops. If you already have a product key, then directly go to setup.office.com to download your version.
- Office 365 (Latest Versions): To subscribe to Microsoft 365—recently renamed from Office 365—go to Microsoft’s website. This is a subscription version where you get periodic updates and added features. Go to the Microsoft 365 page to purchase a plan.
Once purchased, you are provided a link from where to download the setup file, or you can log in to your Microsoft account to download the software.
2. Sign In to Your Microsoft Account
- Go to setup.office.com if you’re installing Office 2013 or 2016. If you are installing the latest version of Office via Microsoft 365, visit account.microsoft.com.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don’t have one, then create one; this is needed for software activation.
3. Enter Your Product Key
If you are installing Office 2013 or 2016, you enter the product key—25-character—if you have bought it. You would get this usually on your purchase confirmation email or product card. Click Next.
If you have already subscribed to Microsoft 365, skip this step. Normally, subscriptions to Office come with a Microsoft account, and you can directly jump to the download of the software.
4. Download and Install Office
- After signing in and verifying your product key, a button appears that says, Download Office. Click the download button and a file called officestart.aspx downloads to your computer.
- Run the downloaded file (setup.exe or similar) while following the provided prompts on the screen.
- A setup operation will start, which may proceed via an on-screen progress bar as Office installs. With Office 2016 and Microsoft 365, you can begin to use the apps before the installation is complete, but it’s best to wait until it has finished.
5. Activate Office
Open any Office application after installation is complete. You will then be asked to sign in again or activate the software with your Microsoft account.
- Office 2013 & 2016: If asked, enter your product key or sign in with your Microsoft account to activate.
- Microsoft 365: Sign in with the same Microsoft account that you used to subscribe to Microsoft 365.
Once activated, all your Office apps are ready to go, and you can now use all of them, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
1. Can’t Find Your Product Key?
- If you bought Office online, check your email for the purchase confirmation.
- If you bought a physical copy, the key is usually inside the box or on the receipt.
If you can’t find your product key, visit Microsoft Support to recover it.
2. Installation Stuck or Frozen?
- Restart your device and try installing again.
- Make sure your internet connection is stable.
3. Activation Issues?
If you face problems during activation, it could be due to:
- Wrong product key entry.
- Activation limits exceeded (for example, too many devices using the same key).
Visit Microsoft’s Activation Troubleshooting Page for help.
How to Uninstall Microsoft Office
If you need to uninstall Microsoft Office for any reason (perhaps to fix an issue or upgrade to a new version), follow these steps:
- Windows:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft Office, and click Uninstall.
- Mac:
- Go to Finder > Applications.
- Select Microsoft Office and drag it to the Trash.
Updating to the Latest Version of Microsoft Office
If you are on Microsoft 365, updates happen automatically, so you will always have the newest version of the features. To manually check for an update from the Account page of any Office app: Open any office application, and click on File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
If you already have Office 2013 or 2016, the newer versions or updates will require purchasing or subscribing to the Office suite with the Microsoft 365 suite.
Top 5 FAQs
To install Microsoft Office 2013 or 2016, you need to log on to setup.office.com and enter your product key first. Log in with your Microsoft account and start downloading the setup file. Execute the installer. Follow the instructions on your screen.
For Office 2013 and Office 2016, you need a 25-character product key to activate and install the software. In Microsoft 365, no product key will be required since your subscription is associated with your Microsoft account.
For newer versions, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and download. When you have downloaded the file, open it and follow the installation prompts.
If you are a subscriber to Microsoft 365, you can install Office on more than one device depending on your subscription plan. If you’ve bought Office 2013 or Office 2016, this depends on the license you purchased.
To uninstall Office, open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program in Windows and Finder > Applications in Mac. Highlight Microsoft Office and click Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to take the software off your device.
Conclusion
Installing Microsoft Office 2013, 2016, or the latest version through Microsoft 365 is relatively easy if one takes the proper steps. Have your product key or Microsoft account handy. Ensure stable internet, too. If for work or school, once you install Microsoft Office, you will find powerful tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that help facilitate tasks with their easy-to-use features.
If any issue on troubleshooting or activation is encountered, always follow instructions from Microsoft support. This guide should, hopefully, have you up and running with Office in no time.
Looking for more tips and tricks on Guides get the most out of your tech? Check out our other articles—we’ve got plenty of advice to help you optimize your life!
Umer is a skilled content writer with over two years of experience. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Umer enjoys writing engaging and conversational articles that connect with readers of all ages. In his free time, he loves to take part in various sports whenever he gets the opportunity, bringing his energetic spirit to both his work and play.
