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How to Install Microsoft 365 on a 2017 MacBook Air
Question details
The user needs to find and install a compatible version of Microsoft 365 or Office for Mac on a 2017 MacBook Air that cannot be updated to the newest macOS versions.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac OS
- Scenario
- Attempting to install Microsoft Office on an older Mac hardware model that is no longer supported by the latest macOS updates.
- Observed behavior
- The current Microsoft 365 installer blocks the installation because it requires one of the three most recent macOS versions, which the 2017 MacBook Air cannot run.
Before searching for a compatible Office version, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'About This Mac' to note your exact macOS version.
Download an Older Compatible Version from Office Update History
Since Microsoft officially supports only the three most recent macOS versions, users on older operating systems must manually download a legacy build.
Microsoft 365 and Office for Mac installers are constantly updated to require newer operating systems. If your 2017 MacBook Air is capped at an older macOS (like Monterey or Big Sur), the latest installer will fail. However, Microsoft keeps an archive of older releases that you can safely download.
Click the Apple menu > 'About This Mac' and identify your macOS name and version number (e.g., macOS Monterey 12.7).
Open your web browser and search for 'Update history for Office for Mac' to find the official Microsoft release archive.
Scroll down the list of versions to find an installer released during the time your macOS was one of the three most recent versions. For example, version 16.66 is often the last supported version for macOS Big Sur.
Click the download link for the Office suite package next to the compatible version number. Once downloaded, double-click the .pkg file and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
Open Microsoft Word or Excel from your Applications folder and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account to activate the license.
Use WPS Office on Your 2017 MacBook Air
Avoid the hassle of searching through legacy installers and dealing with unsupported software. WPS Office is a highly compatible, lightweight alternative that runs smoothly on older Mac models while fully supporting Microsoft Office file formats.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open any existing Microsoft Office files without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use Microsoft 365 on an older Mac without upgrading the OS?
Yes. By downloading an older version from the Office for Mac update history that corresponds to your macOS, you can still use the software. However, you will not receive new feature updates.
Does downloading an older version of Office bypass the license requirement?
No. While anyone can download the installer package for free, you still need a valid Microsoft 365 subscription or a standalone Office license to activate the software and edit documents.
Why does Microsoft block installation on my 2017 MacBook Air?
Microsoft’s policy is to support only the three most recent major versions of macOS to ensure security and feature compatibility. Older macOS versions are intentionally locked out of the newest installers.
