Fix Office 2016 Professional Plus Installing 32-Bit Instead of 64-Bit
Question details
The user wants to install the 64-bit version of Office 2016 Professional Plus, but the installer defaults to 32-bit and provides no option to choose the architecture.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016 Professional Plus
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing Microsoft Office 2016 on a desktop or laptop
- Observed behavior
- The Office setup automatically installs the 32-bit edition and skips any selection screen that would allow the user to choose the 64-bit version.
Verify that your Windows operating system is a 64-bit version by checking Settings > System > About, as 64-bit Office cannot be installed on a 32-bit operating system.
Verify License Source and Download the Specific 64-Bit Installer
Many volume-license or inexpensive third-party Office packages come with a pre-configured 32-bit offline installer. You must explicitly download the 64-bit installation media.
Office 2016 Professional Plus is often distributed via volume licensing. These licenses do not always link to a standard Microsoft account with a web-based architecture selector. If you are using an offline installer (ISO or EXE) provided by a vendor, it may be hardcoded to 32-bit.
Log in to the portal where your Office 2016 Professional Plus license is hosted, such as the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) or your Microsoft account.
Navigate to the download section for Office 2016. Instead of clicking the default 'Download' button, look for a link labeled 'Other options' or 'Advanced options'.
Choose '64-bit' from the version or architecture dropdown menu, then proceed to download the new installation file.
Double-click the newly downloaded 64-bit setup file to begin the correct installation process.
Uninstall Existing 32-Bit Office Components
The Microsoft Office installer will automatically default to 32-bit or block 64-bit installations if it detects older 32-bit Office programs on your PC.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free 64-Bit Experience
Avoid frustrating installation errors and hidden volume-license restrictions. WPS Office offers a lightweight, free, and robust alternative to Microsoft Office, providing seamless 64-bit performance on modern computers.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Run the Setup: Open the downloaded file. The lightweight installer will automatically optimize for your 64-bit system.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly view, edit, or create your documents with full Microsoft format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade my 32-bit Office 2016 directly to 64-bit?
No, there is no direct upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit Office. You must completely uninstall the 32-bit version of Office before installing the 64-bit edition.
Why do some Office 2016 installers not show the 64-bit option?
Certain volume-license installers or offline deployment ISOs are pre-configured for a specific architecture. If you downloaded a 32-bit specific executable, it will skip the selection screen entirely.
How do I know if my PC needs 64-bit Office?
If you work with extremely large files, such as Excel spreadsheets over 2GB, or utilize complex add-ins, the 64-bit version is highly recommended to prevent memory limits.
