Creating and editing documents is a key part of everyday professional life. While there are many tools available for this purpose, Microsoft Word remains the most powerful and widely used word processing software. However, free Microsoft Word download process can sometimes be confusing—especially for new users.
If you're wondering how to download Microsoft Word for free, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through the steps to access the full version of MS Word without hassle.
Keep reading on the Microsoft Word free download guide. You'll find a great word writer tool for making top-notch documents today!
Is Microsoft Word Free to Download and Use?
Microsoft Word isn't free to download and use fully. It's part of the Microsoft Office suite, helping with document creation, editing, and management. To make mobile work better, Microsoft Office offers a free Microsoft Word App for users.
However, the full version of Microsoft 365 on PC requires a paid subscription. Luckily, you can get free Microsoft Word through several methods.
Microsoft Word Free Download Options for Mobile Devices
Want Microsoft Word for free on your phone or tablet? Here is how to get it on Android and iOS devices.
How to Download Microsoft Word on Android for Free
There are a couple of ways you can download free Microsoft Word on your Android. You can either download the whole MS Office suite on your Android or download a single app by the name MS Word. However, whatever method you choose, the steps are somewhat the same.
Steps to install Microsoft Word for free on Android:
Search for "Microsoft Word" in the search bar on Google Play Store.
Tap the "Install" button to download and install the App on your device.
Once the installation is complete, you can launch Microsoft Word from your app drawer or home screen.
When you launch the app for the first time, you may be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account or create a new one. If you have a Microsoft account, you could enter your email and password to sign in. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free.
How to Get Microsoft Word for Free on iPhone and iPad
Downloading Microsoft Word from your iPhone or iPad is the same as Android. However, there may be one to two things different in the process.
First, go to App Store and search for “MS Word”, then tap “Get” button.
You may need to enter your Apple ID password or phone password. This is to confirm the download of Microsoft Word.
Next, wait for the App to download and install. It might take a few minutes or seconds.
After it's done, you can start using Microsoft Word from your home screen.
Microsoft Word Download for PC
While the mobile version of Word offers free basic editing, many users need full document creation on their Windows PC or Mac. Whether you're writing reports, resumes, or school papers, here’s how to download Microsoft Word for free on your computer.
Free Download and Save MS Word
MS Office for desktops can be costly, and most people can’t afford it. Some might download a cracked version. But, this is risky. It could harm your computer's security.
Therefore, we recommend you choose a free software program that does not involve Microsoft Word download. In this context, WPS Office can be the best alternative. Just like Microsoft Office, it is a complete solution for text files, sheets, and presentations. Moreover, WPS Office is free both on mobile devices and desktops.
Free Download, Edit, and Save Microsoft Word Files and Templates
WPS is one such software program that allows you to create, edit, and share files, including simple documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It is absolutely free and can be used both on PC and mobile phones to work just like Microsoft Office.
5 Reasons to choose WPS Writer to edit and save Microsoft World documents (FREE)
100% Free: WPS Writer offers full features for free - no subscriptions, no trials, no hidden costs.
Perfect Microsoft Word Compatibility: Open and edit all Word file types (.doc, .docx) with perfect formatting.
Work Anywhere: Use WPS on Windows, Mac, Android & iOS. Your word files sync automatically across devices.
Ready-to-Use Templates: Access hundreds of professional templates for resumes, reports and more to increase your productivity.
Built-in AI Assistant: Generate content, rewrite text, and get writing suggestions without leaving the app.
How to Open, Edit, and Save Microsoft Word Documents in WPS
1. There are two ways you can open Microsoft Word Documents in WPS if you already have its application on your computer.
2. You can either go to the settings of your PC and make the default document opener as WPS.
3. You can open WPS Writer on your PC Or Mac. After you have opened the program, go to the “File” menu and select “Open.” From here, you can open the document you want and work on it from right there.
4. After you have finished working, you can save the document with the same or new name as you want and choose a preferred location.
However, if you already have Office 365 subscription or Microsoft Office license, you can simply do a free MS Word download from the Microsoft 365 website by following the steps mentioned below.
Microsoft Word Free Download for Windows 11/10 via Microsoft 365
On the Microsoft subscription website, you will find the complete Microsoft suite containing all the applications Microsoft has to offer. After buying the subscription, you can download all the premium Microsoft programs.
However, there are other options too. If you want to use MS Word without buying the subscription for the whole package, there is an option on the website where you can only buy, download, and use MS Word.
Also, you can use MS Word from the one-month free trial version of Microsoft 365.
Steps to Download Microsoft Word 365 on Windows 11/10
1. Go to the official Microsoft website on your web browser and sign in if you haven’t already. You can either use a personal account or a work or school account.
2. Depending on the type of account you’ve used, you will find different options on the screen.
3. If you have signed in with your Microsoft account, you will see the “Products” section in the top navigation bar. Click on “Office” from this menu and select “Office 365” to go to the Microsoft Word download Office 365 subscription page.
4. Choose the subscription plan that best fits your needs and click on "Buy now."
5. Follow the prompts to create a Microsoft account or sign in to your existing account.
6. Once you've signed in, click on "Install Office" in the top right corner.
7. The installer will download to your computer. When it's finished, open the installer and follow the prompts to install Microsoft Word 365 on your Windows 11/10 PC.
After you have installed MS Office on your PC, you can find the MS Office on your PC by doing the following steps:
Open the search bar Windows taskbar.
Search for “Word” in the search box, and you will see the most relevant options listed.
Select MS Word from the list and open the program to start using it.
Windows System Requirements for Office 365:
Microsoft Office 365 can run on Windows 7 or higher.
The minimum required RAM for PC Is 4GB
The available disk space should be at least 5 GB
Internet connection should also be available to access online features
Download Microsoft Word 365 on Mac
If you are a Mac user, you can get Microsoft Word 365 on your devices with the following steps.
Go to the Microsoft website and sign up for a Microsoft 365 subscription or sign in to your existing account.
Select "Install Office" from the home page once you're signed in.
Choose "Install" to begin the download process.
Now open the installer package and follow the instructions to install Microsoft Word.
The MS Word download has been completed on your Mac. Now if you are having difficulty locating MS Word on your Mac, you can follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Go to your Applications folder and locate the Microsoft Word app.
2. Drag the Microsoft Word icon to your dock for easy access.
3. If you have trouble locating the app this way, you can use a simple command. Just press "Command + Space" to search for "Microsoft Word" on your Mac, and you will find it.
Mac System Requirements for Office 365:
Mac OS X 10.14 or later.
4GB RAM or more is recommended.
Updated version of Safari, Chrome, or Edge to access online features.
Here we also listed the pros and cons of Microsoft 365 for you reference.
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How to Install Microsoft Word in Different Word Version
1. Download Microsoft Word 2021 from Office 2021
A one-time purchase Office 2021 comes with MS Word and can be downloaded with the complete Office 2021 suite. However, there is one drawback you won’t be able to update MS Word 2021 to access new features that MS Office 365 has to offer, such as MS Copilot AI.
Steps to Download Microsoft Word 2021 on Windows or Mac
1. Go to the Microsoft website or App Store on your PC or Mac.
2. Search for Microsoft Word 2021 in the search bar.
3. Click on the "Download" or "Buy" button.
4. If you choose to buy, you will be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account and complete the purchase process.
5. If you choose to download, the setup file will be downloaded to your computer.
6. Once the setup file is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen instructions to install Microsoft Word 2021 both on your PC and Mac.
System Requirements of Microsoft Word 2021:
Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.14 or later.
1.6 GHz or faster, dual-core processor.
4 GB RAM or more.
4 GB of available disk space for Windows and 10 GB for Mac.
If you have more devices, it is recommended to buy a subscription of Microsoft 365 as it can be used on Windows and Mac at the same time, 5 devices max.
Pros and cons of Microsoft Word of Office 2021
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2. Download Microsoft Word 2019/2016/2013
Unlike Microsoft Office 365 and Office 2021, the earlier versions of MS Office and Word are not available on the Microsoft website. So, there are two ways to download them - if you have bought one before, you can still enjoy the free unlimited download of Microsoft Word from Microsoft account center.
Steps:
As mentioned above, you cannot download Office 2019 or earlier versions from the Microsoft website. So, there’s an option available to only update these versions to the latest Microsoft 365.
Sign in to your Microsoft account dashboard using the account you used for a particular version of the office.
Now, on the top of the page, go to “services and subscriptions” and find the product you want to install.
3. To start the installation, you will have to click the “run” or “download” button on your browser.
4. After a while, your installation will be finished, after which you can locate the applications on your computer.
System Requirements of Microsoft Word 2019/2016/2013
Windows 10 or later, macOS Sierra or later
Processor 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core
4 GB RAM
4 GB available disk space for PC and 10 GB for Mac
3. Download Microsoft Word 2010/2007
Microsoft Word 2010/2007 is one of the Office 2010/2007 suites. At that time, the standalone Word was not available. Since 2012, Microsoft has stopped the sale of Microsoft Office 2007. In 2020, Microsoft stopped the sale of Microsoft Office 2010. But if you bought it before and still have the disc and the product key, you can install the entire Microsoft Office 2010/2007 to use Microsoft Word 2010/2007.
Steps to Download Microsoft Word 2010/2007 with Disc and Product Key
1. Insert the Microsoft Word installation disc into your computer's disc drive.
2. If the installation process does not start automatically, go to "My Computer" (or "This PC" on Windows 10) and double-click on the disc drive icon to start the installation process.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Microsoft Word on your computer.
4. When prompted, enter the product key that came with your disc. This key is typically located on a sticker on the disc case or inside the case.
5. Once you have entered the product key, continue with the installation process and wait for Microsoft Word to finish installing on your computer.
6. Once the installation is complete, open Microsoft Word and activate the software.
How to Fix Microsoft Word Download Failed
1. Check system requirements
If you are having problems with Microsoft Word download, there can be multiple reasons for this. First of all, you will have to check the system requirements of the version you are trying to install. If the requirements don’t match, you will have to upgrade your system or switch to an earlier version.
2. Check if you exceeded the limit of 5 devices
One of the main reasons your Microsoft Word download and installation has been failing is that you might have exceeded the limit of 5 devices. As mentioned above, Microsoft Office 365 allows a maximum of 5 devices to be connected with one Microsoft account, so make sure you have not exceeded the limit.
3. For upgrading Office 2021/2019 to Microsoft 365, you have to uninstall it first before downloading the Office suite.
If you want to upgrade your Office to the latest version, it is advised to uninstall the previous versions because they can interfere with the installation process and your product may not work as expected.
4. Check your Internet connection if downloading is stuck for a long time.
If you are facing continuous downloading errors when trying Microsoft Word download, the first thing you will have to check is your internet connection.
Tips: Always Get latest Word Version
Keeping Microsoft Word free up to date ensures you get the best features, performance improvements, and security updates.
Issues of Using an Old Version of Microsoft Word
Compatibility problems
Lack of new features
Lagging problems
Security risks
Limited or ended support
Low efficiency
How to Update Microsoft Word
If you use Microsoft 365, the updates are absolutely and often installed automatically. However, Office 2021 and earlier versions cannot update, but you can update them directly to Office 365. Below are some steps you can take to do that.
Steps:
1. Open any of the Microsoft Office apps, like Word
2. Navigate to the bottom left corner of the application’s homepage and click on “Account.”
3. On the right side, you can see the product information. Right there is also listed “Office updates”
4. Left click on this option, and you will get a couple of options to update the product according to your schedule.
5. Make sure to close your work before you update the product.
Upcoming Microsoft Copilot - ChatGPT AI Feature
With the latest update in Office 365, Microsoft has planned to include Microsoft Copilot in the Office suite. It is an AI-powered tool that will assist you in multiple ways including:
Text completion suggestions
Context-aware suggestions
Natural language input
What’s New in Each Version of Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Word 2021 and 365:
AI-Powered writing assistance
Ability to Co-author documents in real time
Integration with Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Word 2019:
Focus mode for distraction-free writing
Improved inking capabilities.
Accessibility improvements.
Microsoft Word 2016:
Improved collaboration features, including real-time co-authoring and version history
New chart types for more advanced data visualization
Smart Lookup feature for quick access to online research.
Microsoft Word 2013:
Enhanced reading experience with a new read mode.
New alignment guides and layout options for easier document formatting
New object zoom feature for better image and object viewing
Microsoft Word 2010:
New customization options.
Improved graphics and image editing tools.
New text effects and typography options
Microsoft Word 2007:
New ribbon-based user interface for improved navigation
New themes and styles
Improved graphics and image editing tools
FAQs about Free Microsoft Word
Q1. What happens to my Word document if I don't renew my Microsoft 365 subscription?
You do not actually own Microsoft Office if you are running a subscription plan, you can’t edit your Word documents any more if you stop your subscription. However, you can open them in WPS Office to continue editing and saving your files.
Q2. Subscription and one-time purchase, which is better?
The choice totally depends on your personal needs and circumstances. But there are some factors to consider. A one-time purchase will allow you to have the product for the whole lifetime, but you won’t be able to get regular updates for the product.
This ease of access is available in subscription purchase, where your product will be easily upgraded to the latest version as soon as the updates arrive.
Q3. Can I download Microsoft Word for free as a student?
If your college has the education version license, then you can register and get a free Microsoft Office download. Otherwise, you may need to buy a license with your .edu email, which can get a 10% or more discount. However, a monthly subscription is a burden for a student who has no income. WPS Office offers a free and powerful office suite that meets the needs of your study life.
Q4. Can I use Microsoft Word Offline?
Yes, absolutely. You can use Microsoft Word online. Rather it is termed more beneficial in terms of security and privacy. On the other hand, the online version allows you more flexibility and accessibility because you can access your workspace from any device with an internet connection.
Q5. Can I transfer my Microsoft Word license to a new computer?
Yes, it is possible, but the process will depend on the type of license you have. For one time purchase, you can transfer the license from one computer to another by first deactivating the license on the first PC.
While that’s not the case with a subscription-based license. You can use a subscription-based license on multiple PCs at the same time without first deactivating it from the first PC.
