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Microsoft Word 2016 Free Download [A Comprehensive Guide]

March 7, 2024 9.6K views

As a word processing application, Microsoft Word 2016 allows users to generate multiple documents, including resumes, letters, and more. This popular software also provides project management and data calculation to improve work efficiency.

However, Microsoft Word 2016 is an older version. Now Microsoft Word's latest versions, like Word 2019, 2021, and Microsoft Word 365, are available in the market.

Then, can you use Word 2016 on your computer in 2024? How to download Microsoft Word 2016 for free on your computer? Do you have other alternatives to Microsoft Word for free?

This article will give you a complete Microsoft Word 2016 free download guide. Moreover, we will suggest some free options if you dislike having paid software.

Can I Still Use Microsoft Word 2016 in 2024?

Microsoft Office 2016 offers Microsoft Word 2016, an older version of the word processing application. In addition, mainstream service of Office 2016 will be called off on October 13, 2020, and enhanced support for multiple editions of Office 2016 will conclude on October 14, 2025.

However, you can still download its full version for free in 2024.

Reinstall Microsoft Word 2016 with Your Product Key

Microsoft Word 2016 is a word processing software of the Office 2016 suite. At that time, the autonomous Word application was absent from the market, and Microsoft Word 2016 enjoyed love of most people. 

Now in 2024, you can reinstall the full software if you have saved the Office 2016 product key. As a result, you can use Microsoft Word 2016.

Steps to Reinstall:

Step 1: Open your browser and type https://www.office.com/.

Microsoft Office website

Alternatively, you can go for 'My Account' and hit the 'Sign in' button.

Microsoft Office website

Step 2: Sign in with the same account you used while getting a subscription for Microsoft Office 2016.

Sign in with the same account

Step 3: As the next step, you should hit 'Install Office'.

Office Install window

Step 4: On the 'Download and install Office' pop-up, hit the install button.

'Download and install Office' window

Step 5: Click on the Office Setup file to run the application.

Office Setup file

Step 6: Hit 'Yes' on the next screen.

Microsoft Office installation dialogue box

Successful Installation of Office box

Step 8: Have you done the above steps? Congratulations! You have reinstalled Microsoft Word 2016 successfully.

Download Microsoft Word 2016 at the Third Party

There is no doubt that Microsoft Office demands purchasing, but is Microsoft Office 2016 worth your money with its powerful and excellent features? The answer may be confusing if you want Microsoft Word 2016 free download now. 

In 2024, the Microsoft store is not offering this old version. But the good news is you can get Microsoft Word 2016 download for Mac or purchase it on Windows. Although Microsoft is not offering a license for it, you can get a one-time subscription from a reseller with a license and product key

Apart from it, you can also find a website with packages uploaded on it. Of course, you can contact Microsoft Word free from that site. However, you should be careful that this kind of file may bring viruses or have other packages bound with it. 

In short, multiple options are there to extend your choice from Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 to Microsoft Office Home & Student 2016.

Four Best Alternatives to Microsoft Word 2016

1. Microsoft 365 Word

Microsoft 365 Word is a productive software designed with extended functions. So, you can write like a pro with multiple advanced features.


Microsoft 365 Word

Microsoft 2016 Word

Function and features

Basic grammar and spelling check,

Extended cloud storage, Real-time file sharing and collaboration, Premium templates, Multiple languages

Multiple themes as style, Redesign, and optimised ribbon, and Structured table of content. Format painter for consistency across element.

System requirements

Windows Computer: 1.6 GHZ or faster 2-core x86 or 64-bit processor, 2 GB RAM (32-bit), 4 GB RAM (64-bit),

3 GB disk space, 1024 x 768 monitor resolution.

1 GB RAM (32-bit); 2 GB RAM (64 bit), 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster x86- or x64-bit processor with SSE2 instruction set, 3 GB hard disk, Windows Server 2012, Windows 10 or Windows 8

Pros

No ads

Enhanced security

Multiple functions

Excellent communication

Easy access

Highly customizable,

Fixes errors,

Smooth availability,

Cons

Need learning

Not for everyone

Subscription based

Lack some functions than that of 2019, Minimized cloud functionality

Price

Free to $12.50 per month with different subscription plans for home and business use.

The price of MS Word 2016 is different on different third-party websites

Steps to Download and Activate Microsoft 365

Downloading and activating Microsoft 365 demand multiple steps to follow. These steps are listed below:

Step 1: Open your search browser and add the website link of official Microsoft Office (www.office.com) to your search bar.

Microsoft Website

Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account.

Step 3: Select the payment option and enter payment details.

Select the payment option

Step 4: Select your desired download option and hit the Download button.

Different download options

The version installed by default is 64-bit. However, if you already have a 32-bit version, Microsoft 365 will detect it automatically. If you want to switch between these two versions, you should uninstall Microsoft 365 first. Later, you can repeat the above steps with the one additional step of 'Other installation options'.

Step 5: Follow the pop-up options about 'Install Microsoft 365'.

Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded Microsoft 365 to your system. Now you need to install it.

Microsoft Office installation

Step 6: Hit the 'Close' button as it appears after installation is done.

Successful Installtion of Office box

Cheers! Your Microsoft 365 is ready to use.

2. WPS Writer - Free Word Processor

WPS Writer is a free word processor that assists the users in creating and editing documents efficiently. WPS writer is free of cost and highly compatible with Google Docs, Microsoft Office, and LibreOffice. It matches needs of all the office and offers documents in multiple formats. In addition, the users can switch files between PDF and Word. Moreover, the user can both enjoy online service and have it on the desktop for quick access. 

WPS Writer download

Pros of WPS Writer

  • Free of cost

  • No ads

  • Multiple templates

  • High compatibility

Various Features of WPS Writer

Introduction of WPS Office

WPS Office is a free office software that offers you to create and edit word document, presentation, PDF, and Spreadsheet at the required time. Supporting 64 languages and 47 file formats, this free software is compatible with multiple systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.

In addition, WPS Office sets fit with mainstream 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions. It includes Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11. The teams at WPS are trying their best to introduce stable and faster versions of WPS Office in 2024 since the introduction of WPS Office 2016 and WPS Office 2019.

Steps to download WPS Office

Downloading WPS Office in your system is straightforward. You can click the free download button or follow the step below;

Step 1: Open your browser and search for WPS Office website (www.wps.com).

Step 2: Click the official link to download WPS Office after hitting enter.

Step 3: You will land at the official website of the WPS Office. You can easily choose the 'Free Download' button.

WPS Office free download

Step 4: Downloading will start immediately in the chosen folder.

WPS Office: Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

3. ClickUp Docs

ClickUp Docs

As a top-rated project and document collaboration software, ClickUp is famous among multiple companies. You can tag team members, mention docs with @, assign comments, add a list, or edit workflow. In addition, you can add docs on the dashboard for quick access.

As far as its pricing is concerned, you can get four different plans. It includes Free Forever Plan, Unlimited Plan ($5 per month), Business Plan ($12 per month), and Business Plus Plan ($19 per month). And it is compatible with Windows 10/11/7.

4. Obsidian

Download Obsidian as a second brain

As an excellent Google Docs alternative, Obsidian is a powerful note-taking and knowledge management application. Considering it your second brain, Obsidian gives you a gap from consistent work.  As a result, you can easily navigate and access your notes due to backlinking and graph viewing. In addition, you can have full-text search capabilities and daily notes with different templates.

Apart from it, Obsidian offers three different pricing plans to offer you diversity. It includes Personal (Free), Catalyst ($25 plus- one time), and Commercial ($50 per year).

The system requirements for this famous application include Windows Vista 64-bit or newer operating system, Intel Core i5-2400 @ 3.1 GHz / AMD Phenom II X6 1100T processor, 8 GB RAM, 45 GB Hard Drive Space, and ATI Radeon HD 4850 or NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT.

Download Office Suites On Official Websites

We would like to tell you that you must download office suites from its official website as it is secure and free from viruses. Alternatively, you would attract the following issues in your system;

  • Unauthorized software brings zero official technical support.

  • Nautical software may have attached viruses and is insured.

  • Microsoft may ban the use of official software once it finds it.

FAQs about Word 2016 Download

1. Which MS Word version is free?

The browser-based version of the Microsoft Word application is free.

2. Can I download Word without Microsoft 365?

No. You can not have a standalone version of Word without Microsoft 365.

Learn more about Microsoft Office free download.

3. Can I download Microsoft Word 2016 on multiple devices?

With an active Microsoft 365 subscription, you can download Microsoft Word 2016 on various devices with appropriate licenses. In addition, without a subscription, you must buy a license for every device you aim to install Word 2016.

4. Can I download Microsoft Word 2016 on a Mac?

As your Mac system fulfills the minimum requirements for Word 2016, you can download and install this software.

Summary

Microsoft Office 2016 is a word processing application that is used to generate multiple kinds of documents. You can get it from the official website or a third party. In addition, numerous alternatives of Microsoft Word 2016 are available in the market that are very flexible and highly compatible.

Furthermore, if you are interested in free Microsoft Word alternatives, we have previously listed the "Top 10 Free Microsoft Word Alternatives of 2023" in an article, including both PC and online solutions. These alternatives offer robust features and can meet various document processing needs. You can click the hyperlink to view the complete article.

If you are also interested in free downloading any version of Microsoft Word in 2023, we have provided a detailed guide for that as well.

Among them, the most famous and highly recommended is WPS Office. It comes with all the functions needed for a pro writer. This software is also free and readily available, with excellent compatibility and exciting features.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.