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How to Install Microsoft Office Desktop Apps Instead of Office Online
Question details
The user wants to transition from using web-based Office Online to installing the full Microsoft Office desktop applications.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing local desktop software to avoid relying on web browsers and OneDrive cloud storage.
- Observed behavior
- The user is seeking to open, edit, and save documents natively on their local hard drive rather than being restricted to the Office Online platform.
Verify that your current Microsoft account subscription tier explicitly includes the desktop versions of Office applications, as some basic plans only offer browser-based access.
Download and Install Office Desktop Apps via Microsoft Account
Access your Microsoft account dashboard to locate your subscription benefits and download the official desktop installer for your computer.
To switch from Office Online to the local desktop environment, you must install the software directly from Microsoft's servers. This process authenticates your license and binds the desktop applications to your account.
Open a web browser, go to office.com, and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your active Office or Microsoft 365 subscription.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' page from your account dashboard to view your available software licenses.
Locate your Microsoft 365 or Office product in the list and click the 'Install' or 'Download' button to save the setup file to your computer.
Locate the downloaded file on your PC or Mac, double-click it to run the setup wizard, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Once installed, launch any desktop application (such as Word or Excel), click 'Sign In', and enter your Microsoft account credentials to activate the local apps.
Get Free Local Desktop Office Apps with WPS Office
If your current Microsoft plan only supports Office Online and you do not want to purchase an expensive desktop upgrade, WPS Office provides a complete, free offline productivity suite. Enjoy powerful desktop editing without being forced to use cloud storage.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install locally: Run the downloaded installer file and complete the quick, offline installation process.
- 3. Start editing: Open WPS Writer, Spreadsheet, or Presentation to immediately start creating and saving documents locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I see an 'Install Office' button in my Microsoft account?
If the 'Install Office' button is missing, your current Microsoft 365 subscription likely only includes the web-based applications (such as Microsoft 365 Basic). You must upgrade to a plan like Personal, Family, or a comparable business tier to access desktop downloads.
Can I install Microsoft Office desktop apps on both a PC and a Mac?
Yes. If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription that includes desktop apps, the Microsoft portal will automatically detect your operating system when you click download, giving you the correct installer for either Windows or macOS.
Will installing desktop apps delete my files stored in Office Online?
No. Installing the local desktop applications does not delete any files from your OneDrive. You will still be able to access your cloud documents, but you will now have the added ability to create and save new documents entirely offline on your computer's hard drive.
