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Fix "Newer Operating System Required" to Install Office on macOS Monterey
Question details
The user needs to install Microsoft Office 2019 or 2021 on macOS Monterey but encounters an error stating that a newer operating system is required.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019 / 2021
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Installing Microsoft Office on an older Mac running macOS Monterey.
- Observed behavior
- The installer blocks the installation process, prompting that a newer operating system is required to proceed.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready to reactivate your license, and verify that you have administrative privileges on your Mac to uninstall and install applications.
Clean Install a Compatible Older Version of Office
Since the latest Office installers do not support macOS Monterey, you must remove your current license and manually install a compatible older version (such as 16.88).
Microsoft Office installers on Mac check your system version and use your activation information to determine the correct license. Because macOS Monterey is older, it only supports Microsoft Office up to version 16.88. To fix the installation error, you need to clear your existing Office license data, remove incompatible components, and manually install a supported release.
Close all Microsoft Office applications. Download the official Microsoft Office License Removal Tool. Open the tool, install it by continually clicking 'Next', and allow it to clear your Mac's license data. Do not open any Office applications yet.
Open Finder and navigate to the 'Applications' folder. Locate all Microsoft Office apps (such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and drag them to the Trash to completely uninstall them.
Navigate to the 'Update history for Office for Mac' page on the Microsoft Learn website. Locate the installer package for version 16.88 (or the last version compatible with macOS Monterey) and download the file.
Run the downloaded older installer package. Once the installation is successful, open Microsoft Word, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Click 'Advanced' and uncheck the 'Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date' option to prevent the app from updating to a broken, newer version.
Sign in with your Microsoft account within Word to activate your Office 2019 or 2021 license. If you encounter a licensing error, repeat the license removal step to allow Office to recognize it correctly.
Try WPS Office for Mac: Lightweight and Fully Compatible
If you are tired of dealing with macOS version restrictions and complicated Office installation errors, WPS Office provides a hassle-free alternative. It works perfectly on older Macs, requires fewer system resources, and offers a complete suite of productivity tools without the heavy system requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Office say my Mac operating system is too old?
Microsoft policy only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS. As newer macOS versions are released, older operating systems like macOS Monterey lose support for the newest Office installer packages.
Which version of Office for Mac is compatible with macOS Monterey?
For macOS Monterey, the highest supported Microsoft Office version is generally 16.88. You will need to download this specific build from the Office for Mac update history page to successfully install it.
How do I stop Microsoft Office from updating on my Mac?
Open any Office application like Word, click 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. In the Microsoft AutoUpdate window, click 'Advanced' and uncheck the box for 'Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date'.
