Microsoft 365 Apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, etc.) install from your account portal. Updates happen automatically but can be forced.

Install on a new device

  1. Sign in to office.com with your work account
  2. Top right: Install apps → Microsoft 365 apps
  3. Run the downloaded installer
  4. After install, sign in with your work account in any app (Word, Outlook)

The same license covers up to 5 PCs/Macs, 5 tablets, and 5 phones per user.

"I need a specific version (32-bit, click-to-run)"

Most users should take 64-bit. 32-bit is needed only for:

  • Legacy Excel add-ins that haven't been recompiled
  • VBA macros that depend on 32-bit-only libraries

Check before installing. If you need 32-bit, you'll see a "Other install options" link.

Updates — automatic

Office updates itself in the background. To check:

  1. In any Office app: File → Office Account
  2. Look at Office Updates
  3. Click Update Options → Update Now

If you've been on the same install for a year, you're probably overdue.

Updates — failed

If updates fail repeatedly:

  • Close all Office apps
  • Run as administrator: cmd → C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user
  • Or run the Online Repair (see [Outlook won't open](/kb/outlook-wont-open) step 3)

"Activation required"

If apps show a yellow banner saying activation needed:

  • Sign in with your work account from any Office app
  • The account propagates to all apps

If sign-in fails:

  • Your subscription may have expired or been revoked
  • You may have signed in with the wrong account (personal vs work)
  • File → Office Account → Switch account

Channel — Monthly vs. Semi-Annual

Microsoft offers different update cadences:

  • Current (monthly) — gets new features first, occasional bugs
  • Monthly Enterprise — same content, delayed for IT testing
  • Semi-Annual Enterprise — twice a year, most stable

Your IT controls which channel you're on. If you need a feature that's "coming soon", you may need to ask IT to move you to Current.

Reinstalling

If something is deeply broken:

  1. Control Panel → Apps → uninstall Microsoft 365 Apps
  2. Restart
  3. Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to fully clean residual files
  4. Reinstall from office.com

This is overkill for most issues — try Online Repair first.

Mac install differences

Same office.com process. The installer is .pkg. After install:

  • Office for Mac uses your work account from System Settings → Internet Accounts
  • Updates via Microsoft AutoUpdate (it pops up periodically)

When to ticket

Open a ticket if:

  • Install or update consistently fails
  • You need a specific version that office.com doesn't offer
  • Activation fails after correct sign-in
  • License says "already used 5 installations" and you can't deactivate the old ones

Include the exact error code and your Office version (File → Office Account).