Office Installation Errors

How to Fix Office 2021 Error 0-2054 (0) on a Windows 11 Virtual Machine

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to install Microsoft Office 2021 on a Windows 11 virtual machine due to a specific deployment failure.

Fix Office 2021 Installation Error 0-2054 (0) on Windows 11 VM

Product: Microsoft Office 2021
Device & OS: Windows 11 Virtual Machine
Scenario: Installing Microsoft Office 2021 volume or retail version on a virtualized environment.
Observed behavior: The installation process fails and returns error code 0-2054 (0), despite the virtual machine having an active internet connection and adequate disk space.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows 11 virtual machine has at least 5GB of free disk space, a stable internet connection, and that you are logged in using an administrator account.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Office Remnants with Microsoft Uninstall Support Tool

Clear out conflicting registry keys and corrupted files from previous Office installations that block new deployments.

Lingering files and licensing remnants from older or failed Office installations can trigger deployment errors in a virtual environment. Completely wiping these files is necessary before retrying the installation.

Download the Uninstall Tool

Download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) from the official Microsoft website to your Windows 11 virtual machine.

Run the Assistant

Launch the SaRA tool, select 'Office', and then choose the option 'I have Office installed, but I'm having trouble uninstalling it'.

Select the Office Version

Check the boxes for all previously installed versions of Office or any partial Office 2021 installations, then click Next.

Restart the Virtual Machine

Once the tool finishes removing the Office remnants, restart your Windows 11 virtual machine to apply the registry changes.

Remove Office Remnants with Microsoft Uninstall Support Tool

System Reboot Complete: After the restart, you can safely attempt to install Office 2021 again using your original deployment files.

Solution 2

Verify Office Deployment Tool (ODT) Configuration

Ensure the XML configuration file used for volume licensing is correctly formatted and specifies the correct architecture.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Virtual Machines

If Microsoft Office 2021 continues to fail on your Windows 11 VM, WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that installs quickly without complex deployment tools or registry errors.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer to your Windows 11 VM.
2. Run the Setup: Double-click the downloaded executable file to launch the lightweight setup wizard.
3. Start Creating: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation in seconds, then instantly open or create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.

Installs instantly without volume licensing or deployment errors.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Uses minimal system resources, making it perfect for virtual machines.Familiar, tabbed user interface for a seamless transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes error 0-2054 (0) during Office 2021 installation?

This error is typically caused by corrupt remnants of previous Office installations, conflicting license files, or incorrect configurations in the Office Deployment Tool's XML file.

Can I install Office 2021 on a Windows 11 Virtual Machine?

Yes, Office 2021 is fully supported on Windows 11 virtual machines, provided the VM meets the minimum hardware requirements and runs a properly activated copy of Windows.

Does the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant work on VMs?

Yes, the SaRA tool functions identically on a Windows 11 virtual machine as it does on a physical desktop, effectively diagnosing and removing stubborn Office deployment files.

Installation & Activation