logo
search
Microsoft 365 Installation Problems

Fix OfficeSetup and Flow Launcher Stopped Working on Windows 8.1

Ayan MasoodAyan Masood Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is encountering application crashes when trying to run Flow Launcher and receiving 'stopped working' error messages during the installation of Microsoft 365 Personal.

How to Fix OfficeSetup and Flow Launcher Stopped Working Errors on Windows
Product
Microsoft 365, Flow Launcher
Device & OS
Windows 8.1
Scenario
Attempting to install Microsoft 365 Personal and utilize Flow Launcher on a Windows 8.1 laptop.
Observed behavior
The Microsoft 365 OfficeSetup executable reports that it has stopped working during the installation phase, and Flow Launcher similarly crashes or fails to execute.
Before you start

Verify that your Windows 8.1 system has the latest available Windows updates installed, and check the specific error codes presented during the installation failure to isolate the root cause.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)

Run Microsoft's official diagnostic tool to automatically identify, troubleshoot, and fix Microsoft 365 installation issues.

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant works by running tests to figure out what's wrong and offers the best solution for the identified problem, particularly for Office installation failures.

1
Download the SaRA Tool

Visit the official Microsoft Support website and download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.

2
Install and Launch

Double-click the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen prompts to install the application.

3
Select the Issue

Open the tool, select 'Office' from the list of products, and then choose 'I have a problem installing Office'.

4
Apply Fixes

Allow the diagnostic tool to scan your system configuration. If it identifies the cause of the setup failure, click 'Apply' to execute the recommended fixes.

Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)
Diagnostic Log: If the tool cannot fix the issue automatically, it will generate a log file that you can provide to Microsoft Support for further assistance.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Compatibility on Older Windows OS

If Microsoft 365 is no longer supported or refuses to install on your Windows 8.1 laptop, WPS Office provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative that runs smoothly on older operating systems.

  1. 1. Download the Installer: Navigate to the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button.
  2. 2. Run the Setup: Locate the downloaded executable file and double-click to launch the installation wizard.
  3. 3. Complete Installation: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup and immediately start opening your Office documents.
Lightweight installation process that works exceptionally well on older systems like Windows 8.1 without crashing.Strict format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) files.Completely free to use with no subscription required for basic productivity tasks.Familiar tabbed user interface, allowing for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft 365 installation fail on Windows 8.1?

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 8.1 in January 2023. Newer versions and updates of Microsoft 365 are designed for modern operating systems like Windows 10 and 11, which can lead to compatibility issues or direct setup failures on older platforms.

What is the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)?

SaRA is a free, official diagnostic tool provided by Microsoft. It helps automatically troubleshoot and resolve common problems related to Office installation, activation, Outlook configuration, and Windows issues.

Where can I get help for Flow Launcher crashing on my PC?

Since Flow Launcher is an open-source, third-party application, official support is not provided by Microsoft. The most effective way to report bugs or find solutions is to visit the project's official GitHub repository and check the 'Issues' or 'Discussions' sections.