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If you need to install Microsoft 365 on a computer with unreliable or limited internet access, download the installation files first and run the setup locally. Microsoft provides two practical methods: the account-portal Offline installer and the Office Deployment Tool (ODT).
The account-portal method is simpler for an individual PC. ODT is better when you need to control the product, language, architecture, download location, or install several computers. Neither method provides offline activation: Microsoft 365 still needs an internet connection after installation to verify your license.
Before downloading Microsoft 365 offline
- You need an active Microsoft 365 license or another eligible Office license.
- You need internet access on at least one computer to download the installer.
- The target PC should run a supported version of Windows.
- You need enough storage for the downloaded Office files and the installed applications.
- You may need local administrator permissions, particularly when using ODT.
Do not use the home-account instructions for a work or school account simply because the account can sign in. Business users should use the business installation workflow or ODT, with the product ID that matches their subscription.
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This is the easiest method for installing Microsoft 365 on one Windows PC. The initial download requires internet access, but the resulting image can be copied to removable media and used on another compatible computer.
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- Open m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
- Select Sign in and log in with the Microsoft account that owns your Office subscription.
- Select the Install apps drop-down.
- For a personal Microsoft account, select Install apps on the Microsoft 365 Apps page, then select Install.
- For a work or school account, select Install apps, or select Apps in the left navigation pane and then Install apps. Select Microsoft 365 apps.
- In the Install window, open Choose a version and select Offline installer.
- Choose the required language and select Install.
The browser downloads a file named O365HomePremRetail.img. The file is an installation image, not the installed Office suite itself, so keep it until you have completed installation and confirmed that activation works.
Install from the downloaded IMG file
- Open the Downloads folder and double-click
O365HomePremRetail.img. - Windows mounts the image as a virtual DVD drive.
- Open the new drive, then open its Office folder.
- Run
Setup64.exefor 64-bit Office orSetup32.exefor 32-bit Office. - Follow the installation prompts.
If no new drive appears, open File Explorer and look for the newly mounted drive. It may not be drive D:—if D: is already in use, Windows can assign the image another letter, such as E:. Double-clicking the IMG file again can remount it.
You can copy the mounted image to a USB flash drive or disc for later installation. Copy the IMG file itself, or copy the installation files from the mounted image; do not remove the media while setup is running.
Choose 32-bit or 64-bit Office
Microsoft 365 normally installs 64-bit Office. However, setup may install 32-bit Office when the computer already contains a 32-bit Microsoft 365 or Office installation, or a 32-bit stand-alone application such as Project or Visio.
Office cannot normally mix the two architectures. To change from 32-bit to 64-bit, or the reverse, uninstall Microsoft 365 and other stand-alone Office applications first, then install the required architecture. Uninstalling Office does not cancel your subscription, but you should make sure important documents and Outlook data are backed up before removing applications.
Method 2: Use the Office Deployment Tool
The Office Deployment Tool is Microsoft’s command-line tool for downloading and deploying Microsoft 365 Apps. Despite its enterprise-oriented name, it can also be used to create an offline installation package for one computer.
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Download the latest ODT from the Microsoft Download Center. Run the self-extracting download, accept the Microsoft Software License Terms, and select a working folder such as C:ODT. The extracted folder contains setup.exe and sample XML configuration files.
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Download Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, 32-bit
Open Notepad, paste the following XML, and save it as C:ODTinstallOfficeProPlus32.xml:
<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition="32">
<Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
<Language ID="en-us" />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>Change en-us to the Office language ID you need. Open Command Prompt and run:
C:ODTsetup.exe /download C:ODTinstallOfficeProPlus32.xmlWhen the download finishes, install from the downloaded files with:
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C:ODTsetup.exe /configure C:ODTinstallOfficeProPlus32.xmlDownload Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, 64-bit
Save this configuration as C:ODTinstallOfficeProPlus64.xml:
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<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition="64">
<Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
<Language ID="en-us" />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>Run these commands:
C:ODTsetup.exe /download C:ODTinstallOfficeProPlus64.xml
C:ODTsetup.exe /configure C:ODTinstallOfficeProPlus64.xmlDownload Microsoft 365 Apps for business
Microsoft 365 Apps for business and Microsoft 365 Business Standard use the business product ID. Save the following as C:ODTinstallOfficeBusRet32.xml for a 32-bit installation:
<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition="32">
<Product ID="O365BusinessRetail">
<Language ID="en-us" />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>Download and install it with:
C:ODTsetup.exe /download C:ODTinstallOfficeBusRet32.xml
C:ODTsetup.exe /configure C:ODTinstallOfficeBusRet32.xmlFor a 64-bit business installation, change OfficeClientEdition="32" to OfficeClientEdition="64". Do not substitute O365ProPlusRetail unless your subscription is Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.
Where ODT stores the offline files
The /download command creates an Office folder in the location associated with the configuration. In the examples above, this is normally C:ODTOffice.
The download window may remain blank for some time. That does not necessarily indicate a failure. Wait for the window to close, then check whether the Office folder has appeared and contains files.
ODT downloads incrementally. If the destination already contains the relevant Office version, a later download retrieves only missing files, such as an additional language pack. This makes a shared download folder useful for repeated installations.
Use a network share or a specific download location
ODT can download from one location and install from another. For example:
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<Configuration>
<Add SourcePath="\serverbshare"
OfficeClientEdition="32"
Version="16.0.6741.2056"
DownloadPath="\serverashare">
<Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
<Language ID="en-us" />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>If you use DownloadPath, Microsoft requires a Version attribute. Installation from a local folder or network share still requires local administrator permissions. When setup.exe and the XML file are on a network share, use the complete network path for both.
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For an unattended installation, add this line inside the Configuration element:
<Display Level="None" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />Display Level="None" hides the installation interface. AcceptEULA="TRUE" accepts the license terms automatically. Test a silent configuration on one machine before deploying it widely, because a bad product ID, architecture, or language setting may otherwise fail without an obvious on-screen explanation.
Activate and update Microsoft 365 after installation
- Connect the computer to the internet.
- Open Word or Excel.
- Accept the license terms when prompted.
- Sign in with the account associated with the Microsoft 365 license.
- Complete activation.
An offline installer only avoids repeatedly downloading the application files during setup. It does not activate Microsoft 365 without internet access.
After activation, update Office by opening an Office application and selecting File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. If nothing happens, close the Office application and repeat those steps from the Account page.
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| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| No Install apps option | The account may not have a desktop-app license. A work or school administrator must assign the appropriate Microsoft 365 Apps entitlement. Check the Microsoft 365 Software page or contact the administrator. |
| The IMG file does not mount | Look for a newly assigned drive letter in File Explorer. If necessary, double-click the IMG file again to remount it. |
| Setup installs the wrong architecture | A pre-existing 32-bit Office, Project, or Visio installation may force 32-bit Office. Remove conflicting Office products before switching architecture. |
| ODT appears frozen | The download dialog can be blank. Wait for it to close, then check for the Office folder in the configured location. |
| ODT installation fails immediately | Confirm that the XML product ID matches the subscription, the XML path is correct, the PC is supported, and Command Prompt has administrator rights. |
| Activation fails | Connect to the internet and sign in with the licensed account. Installation and activation are separate steps. |
| The package fails on another PC | Check the XML used to create it. Product ID, language, architecture, and selected version determine what the package can install. |
ODT writes troubleshooting information under %temp%. If a download or configuration command fails, inspect the recent log files there. Also check that security software, proxy rules, and network permissions are not blocking Office setup.
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Which method should you use?
| Requirement | Recommended method |
|---|---|
| Install Microsoft 365 on one personal PC | Account-portal Offline installer |
| Use a work or school subscription | Business installation workflow or ODT |
| Choose 32-bit or 64-bit explicitly | ODT |
| Deploy to several PCs | ODT with a shared download folder |
| Install a specific product, language, or version | ODT configuration XML |
| Install Office on a Mac | Use Microsoft’s Mac installation instructions; the Windows ODT commands do not apply |
FAQ
Can I install Microsoft 365 completely offline?
You can install the downloaded Office files without an internet connection, but downloading the package initially requires internet access. Microsoft 365 also requires internet access after installation for activation.
Is the Microsoft 365 offline installer still available?
Yes. Microsoft currently documents the Offline installer option in the Microsoft 365 account portal and continues to provide the Office Deployment Tool through the Microsoft Download Center.
What is the name of the Microsoft 365 offline installer file?
The account-portal download is named O365HomePremRetail.img. Windows mounts it as a virtual drive when you open it.
Should I use O365ProPlusRetail or O365BusinessRetail?
Use O365ProPlusRetail for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. Use O365BusinessRetail for Microsoft 365 Apps for business and Microsoft 365 Business Standard.
Can I copy the Microsoft 365 offline installer to a USB drive?
Yes. The downloaded IMG file or the mounted installation files can be copied to a USB flash drive or disc and used later on a compatible PC.
Why did Microsoft 365 install 32-bit Office when I expected 64-bit?
Microsoft detects existing Office architecture and may preserve 32-bit compatibility, especially when 32-bit Office, Project, or Visio is already installed. Uninstall conflicting Office products before reinstalling the other architecture.
Where are ODT error logs stored?
Office Deployment Tool troubleshooting logs are stored under the Windows %temp% folder. Review the newest logs after a failed download or configuration command.
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The Bottom Line
For a straightforward personal installation, use m365.cloud.microsoft/apps, choose Install apps > Offline installer, and run the setup file from the mounted IMG image. Use ODT when you need explicit control over the product ID, language, architecture, version, network source, or deployment process. In both cases, plan for an internet connection at least once after installation to activate Microsoft 365.
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