'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Cannot Download or Install Microsoft 365 Office on New Computers
Question details
Users with Microsoft 365 E3 licenses are unable to download or install the Office desktop applications on their new company computers.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up new company computers and attempting to download Microsoft Office desktop applications from the Office portal.
- Observed behavior
- The Install Office option is missing from the portal, or users receive an error stating they have not been assigned an Office license including desktop applications.
Ensure you have your Microsoft 365 administrator credentials ready, as resolving this issue requires checking organization-level application settings and verifying user license assignments in the admin center.
Verify User Licenses and Organization Settings
Check if the affected users have the correct Microsoft 365 E3 license assigned and ensure that the organization allows desktop app installations.
In many cases, the 'Install Office' button is missing because the user's account lacks the desktop application license, or the global administrator has disabled app installations for the entire organization.
Sign in at portal.office.com/account#home. Select 'View apps & devices' and check under 'Subscriptions' to confirm that the 'Office desktop applications' license is assigned to the user.
Have an administrator sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center and navigate to Settings > Org settings.
Select 'Microsoft 365 app installation options' and ensure that the installation for Windows or Mac desktop apps is enabled.
Use the Office Deployment Tool or Direct Download
Bypass portal restrictions by manually downloading the Microsoft 365 Apps installer or using the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) for enterprise deployment.
Use WPS Office as a Lightweight, Free Desktop Alternative
If your company is experiencing delays with Microsoft 365 licensing or enterprise deployment on new computers, WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible alternative. It installs in minutes without requiring complex admin configurations or expensive licenses.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Download WPS Office Free'.
- 2. Install on New Computers: Run the downloaded setup file on the new company computer to install the suite in minutes.
- 3. Open Office Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open any existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see 'You have not been assigned an Office license including Office desktop applications'?
This message appears if your Microsoft 365 license (such as E3) has not been properly provisioned with the desktop applications add-on, or if your organization restricts desktop installations. An administrator must update your user license settings in the admin center.
Can IT administrators hide the Install Office button from users?
Yes. Administrators can disable the 'Install Office' option in the Microsoft 365 admin center under Organization settings. This is often done to manage software rollouts centrally using deployment tools rather than allowing users to install apps manually.
How long does it take for a newly assigned Microsoft 365 license to work?
After an administrator assigns a new license or enables app installations in the admin center, it typically takes 10 to 15 minutes for the changes to sync and the 'Install Office' option to appear in your user portal.
