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

Microsoft 365 (formerly called Office 365) downloads from Microsoft's official website, not from your computer's app store. You need a Microsoft account, an active subscription, and enough storage space — the full suite takes about 4 GB. If you have a work or school account, your organization may have already paid for it, so check your email or ask your IT department before buying a personal subscription.

The read process is straightforward: you sign in at microsoft.com, find your account settings, and click the install button. The installer then runs on your computer and unpacks Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the other apps you're may have access to to use. Most installations finish in 10 to 20 minutes on a broadband connection, though it depends on your internet speed and how many apps you're installing.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft 365 downloads from microsoft.com/account, not from an app store, and requires an active subscription or work/school account.
  • You need a Microsoft account to sign in and read — create one free at microsoft.com if you don't have one yet.
  • The installer downloads once and then unpacks all your apps on your computer, taking 10 to 20 minutes on a typical broadband connection.
  • You can install Microsoft 365 on up to five computers at the same time with one subscription, but you can only use it on one computer at a time.

Creating or signing into your Microsoft account

Go to microsoft.com and look for the "Sign in" button in the top right corner. If you already have a Microsoft account — one you use for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox — click "Sign in" and enter your email and password. If you don't have one, click "Create one" and follow the prompts to set up a new account with an email address and password.

Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your email or phone. Check your email inbox (including spam and promotions folders) for a message from Microsoft, copy the code, and paste it back into the sign-in page. This step takes a few minutes but only happens once per device.

Finding the read button in your account

After you sign in, go to microsoft.com/account and select "Your Microsoft account" or "My account" from the menu. Look for a section called "Apps & devices" or "Subscriptions" — the exact name changes depending on which version of the website you see. Click on it to see your Microsoft 365 subscription and a button that says "Install" or "read".

If you don't see an install button, your subscription may have expired or you may not have one yet. Check the subscription status on the same page — it will say "Active" if you're good to go, or it will show an expiration date. If your subscription has ended, you'll need to renew it before you can read.

Running the installer and choosing which apps to install

Click the "Install" button and your browser will read a small file called "SetupOfficeSDK.exe" (on Windows) or "Microsoft365.pkg" (on Mac). Find this file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to start the installer. The installer will ask you where you want to put Microsoft 365 — the default location is fine for most people — and then it will begin downloading the full suite of apps.

On Windows, the installer shows a progress bar and tells you which app it's currently unpacking. On Mac, you'll see a similar progress window. Do not close this window or restart your computer while the installer is running, or you may have to start over. Once it finishes, you'll see a message saying "You're all set" or similar, and the apps will appear on your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).

Signing into each app for the first time

Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook from your Start menu or Applications folder. The first time you open each app, it will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account — use the same email and password you used to read. Some apps may ask you to verify your identity again with a code sent to your email.

After you sign in, the app will set up and you'll see your documents, settings, and any files you've stored in OneDrive. If you're using Outlook for the first time, you'll also need to add your email account — Outlook will walk you through this step by step. Once you've signed in once, you won't have to do it again on that computer unless you sign out manually.

Installing on multiple computers or reinstalling after a problem

Your Microsoft 365 subscription lets you install on up to five computers, but you can only actively use it on one at a time. To install on a second computer, sign into microsoft.com/account on that computer, go to "Apps & devices", and click "Install" again. The process is identical to your first installation.

If Microsoft 365 stops working or you need to reinstall it, go back to microsoft.com/account, find the app in "Apps & devices", and look for an option to "Reinstall" or "Uninstall". Click "Uninstall" first to remove the broken version, restart your computer, then click "Install" to read a fresh copy. This usually fixes problems like missing files or apps that won't open.

Troubleshooting common read and installation problems

If the installer won't start, check that you downloaded the file completely — look at your Downloads folder and make sure the file size is at least 500 MB. If it's smaller, the read was interrupted and you should delete it and try again. Also make sure your antivirus software isn't blocking the installer; temporarily disable it if you trust Microsoft's servers, or add the installer to your antivirus's safe list.

If the installer starts but gets stuck, close it and restart your computer, then try again. If you see an error message with a code, write down the code and search for it on Microsoft's support website — the code usually points to a specific problem like a missing Windows update or a conflict with another program. If you're still stuck after restarting, uninstall Microsoft 365 completely from your computer's control panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac), restart again, and read a fresh copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for Microsoft 365 every month, or is it a one-time purchase?

Microsoft 365 is a subscription that renews every month or year depending on which plan you choose. You pay once and then your subscription automatically renews on the same date each month or year unless you cancel it. If you want to own Office outright instead, Microsoft also sells a one-time purchase version called "Office Home & Student" or "Office Home & Business", but it doesn't get updates and costs more over time.

Can I read Microsoft 365 on a Mac, or is it only for Windows?

Microsoft 365 works on both Windows and Mac. The read process is the same — go to microsoft.com/account and click "Install" — but the installer file is different for each operating system. Mac users need at least macOS 10.10 or newer. The apps look slightly different on Mac but work the same way.

What if I don't have enough storage space on my computer?

Microsoft 365 needs about 4 GB of free space. If you don't have that much, delete old files, empty your Recycle Bin or Trash, or move large files to an external drive or cloud storage. You can also uninstall programs you don't use anymore. Once you have 4 GB free, the installer will have room to unpack all the apps.

Can I use Microsoft 365 offline, or do I need the internet?

You need the internet to read and install Microsoft 365, and to sign in for the first time. After that, you can use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint offline without any problem. Outlook needs the internet to send and receive email, but it can show you emails you've already downloaded even if you're offline.

What happens if my subscription expires while I'm using Microsoft 365?

When your subscription expires, Microsoft 365 switches to read-only mode — you can open and read your documents, but you can't create new ones or edit existing ones. You'll see a message at the top of each app telling you to renew your subscription. Once you renew, editing works again when ready.