Installing Microsoft Office should be simple, safe, and official — yet many users are pushed toward cracked installers, pirated ISOs, or suspicious third-party tools. That’s risky, unnecessary, and often illegal.
What most people don’t know is that Microsoft already provides an official deployment system used by businesses and IT professionals worldwide. The same system can be used by regular users to install the full Office suite cleanly — without hacks, without piracy, and without shady downloads.
In this step-by-step beginner guide, you’ll learn how to install Microsoft Office using Microsoft’s own tools, customize which apps get installed, understand why activation appears later, and avoid the common mistakes that confuse first-time users.
Even if you’ve never manually installed Office before, this tutorial walks you through everything clearly.
⚠ Important Disclaimer (Read First)
Before we begin, it’s important to understand what this method does — and what it does not do.
This guide installs the Volume License edition of Microsoft Office using Microsoft’s official enterprise deployment tools.
You are not bypassing security or hacking anything. However:
- Installation is not the same as activation
- Office will still require a valid license for permanent use
- This method is best for testing, learning, or temporary installation
- We are only using official Microsoft software — no cracks or pirated files
Think of this as installing Office the same way companies install it across hundreds of computers. The software is genuine — activation simply happens later with a proper license.
Now that expectations are clear, let’s start the installation.
Step 1: Remove Old Office Versions
If Microsoft Office is already installed on your computer — whether it’s a trial version, expired subscription, or a broken installation — you must remove it first.
Old Office files can interfere with the new setup and cause installation errors, activation problems, or missing apps.
How to uninstall Office
- Open Control Panel
- Click Programs → Uninstall a program
- Find anything labeled Microsoft Office
- Click Uninstall
- Follow the on-screen instructions
After uninstalling:
👉 Restart your PC
Do not skip the restart. Windows often keeps background Office services running until reboot, and those services can block the new installation.
Once your system is clean, we can safely build the new Office installer.
Step 2: Create a Custom Office Installer
Microsoft provides an official web tool called the Office Customization Tool.
This lets you build a personalized Office installer — choosing exactly which version and apps you want.
👉 Open this link in your browser:
https://config.office.com/
Steps
- Click Create → Create a new configuration
- Choose the following options:
Architecture: 64-bit
Product: Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 – Volume License
If you see a newer version (for example 2025), select the newest one available.
This ensures you install the latest supported release.
You’re essentially telling Microsoft’s installer:
“Download this exact version with these exact settings.”
We’ll customize the apps in the next step.
Step 3: Choose Which Office Apps to Install
One of the biggest advantages of this method is customization.
You don’t have to install the entire Office suite if you don’t need everything.
Inside the Office Customization Tool, you’ll see a list of apps. Select only what you actually use:
✔ Word
✔ Excel
✔ PowerPoint
✔ Outlook
✔ Access
✔ Publisher
Uncheck anything unnecessary to save disk space and reduce background services.
For example:
- If you never use Access → disable it
- If you don’t need Publisher → remove it
- Basic users often only install Word + Excel + PowerPoint
Less clutter = faster system.
Once your app selection is complete, scroll down to continue.
Step 4: Select Language
Next, choose the language for your Office interface.
Scroll to the Language section inside the customization tool.
Select your preferred option, for example:
✔ English (United States)
✔ English (United Kingdom)
✔ Any regional language you prefer
This controls:
- Menu text
- Buttons
- Spell checking
- Interface language
You can add multiple languages if needed, but beginners should keep it simple and choose one primary language.
After selecting the language, continue scrolling.
We’re almost ready to generate the installer file.
Step 5: Export the Configuration File
Now we’ll export your settings into a configuration file that tells Office exactly what to install.
After finishing all selections in the Office Customization Tool:
- Click Export in the top-right corner
- Choose Office Open XML format
- Accept the license agreement
- Click Export
Your browser will download a file named:
configuration.xml
This file is extremely important.
It contains all your choices:
- Office version
- Apps selected
- Language
- Architecture
Think of it as the blueprint for the installer.
Do not rename the file.
Keep it exactly as:
configuration.xml
Next, we’ll download the actual installation engine that reads this file.
Step 6: Download the Office Deployment Tool
Now we download the official Microsoft installer engine that reads the configuration file and installs Office.
👉 Official Microsoft download:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49117
This tool is called the Office Deployment Tool.
Steps
- Download the file from Microsoft
- Run the installer
- Accept the license agreement
- Choose a location (Desktop or Downloads is fine)
- Click Extract
After extraction, you will see:
- setup.exe
- Several sample XML files
Ignore the sample XML files — we will not use them.
We only need:
✔ setup.exe
✔ your configuration.xml (from Step 5)
Next, we’ll organize everything into one folder.
Step 7: Prepare the Installation Folder
To avoid command errors, we’ll keep everything in one clean folder.
Steps
- Create a new folder named:
Office
You can create it on Desktop for easy access.
- Move these two files into the folder:
✔ setup.exe
✔ configuration.xml
Your folder should now look like:
Office
├── setup.exe
└── configuration.xml
This ensures the installer can read the configuration file correctly.
Once both files are in the same folder, we’re ready to start the installation.
Step 8: Install Office Using Command Prompt
Now we run Microsoft’s installer using the configuration file you created.
Steps
- Right-click Start
- Choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Terminal (Admin)
Administrator mode is required.
Navigate to the Office folder
First type:
cd
Then paste your Office folder path.
Example:
cd C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\Office
Press Enter.
Start installation
Now run:
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
Press Enter.
Installation will begin silently.
⚠ Do NOT close Command Prompt
⚠ Do NOT shut down your PC
Depending on internet speed, this may take 5–15 minutes.
Office downloads directly from Microsoft servers during this step.
When the command finishes, installation is complete.
Step 9: Verify Installation
After the installer finishes, Office should already be installed.
Check if it worked
- Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint
- Click File → Account
You may see a message that says:
Activation Required
This is expected behavior.
The Volume License edition installs without asking for a product key during setup.
Installation and activation are separate steps.
Office is fully installed — it just isn’t permanently activated yet.
To activate for long-term use, you’ll need a valid license key later.
For testing or learning purposes, seeing “Activation Required” simply confirms the install worked.
Why This Method Works
This installation method isn’t a trick or loophole — it’s Microsoft’s official enterprise deployment system.
Large companies and IT departments use the same tool to install Office across hundreds or even thousands of computers at once.
You are simply using Microsoft’s professional installer in a manual way on a personal PC.
Nothing is modified. Nothing is cracked.
✔ Files come directly from Microsoft servers
✔ Installation uses official deployment infrastructure
✔ No third-party repacks
✔ No malware risk
✔ No hidden scripts
This is why the process is clean, stable, and safe.
Activation still requires a legitimate license — exactly like any normal Office installation.
The only difference is how the software is installed, not how it’s licensed.
Common Problems & Fixes
Even though this method is reliable, beginners sometimes run into small mistakes. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
❌ Office won’t install
Check the basics:
✔ The file name is exactly configuration.xml
✔ Both files are in the same folder
✔ Command Prompt is running as Administrator
✔ Folder path is correct
One wrong letter in the XML name can stop the installer.
❌ Setup closes instantly
This usually means the command was run from the wrong folder.
Fix:
cd path-to-office-folder
Example:
cd C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\Office
Then run the install command again.
❌ Activation message appears
This is normal.
Installation ≠ activation.
Office installs first, activation happens later with a valid license.
Seeing “Activation Required” confirms installation succeeded.
❌ Installation stuck or slow
Check:
✔ Internet connection
✔ Firewall blocking downloads
✔ Antivirus interference
✔ VPN causing connection issues
Office downloads files live from Microsoft servers, so network stability matters.
FAQ
Is this legal?
Yes.
You are using Microsoft’s official deployment tools.
Nothing is cracked or modified.
Permanent use still requires a valid license — the same as any normal Office installation.
Is this Microsoft 365?
No.
This installs Office LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel).
It provides full desktop apps without requiring a subscription login.
Can I update Office later?
Yes — but differently.
LTSC versions receive:
✔ Security updates
✔ Stability fixes
They do not receive new features like Microsoft 365.
Does this work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes.
Fully compatible with both systems.
Final Thoughts
This is the cleanest and safest way to install Microsoft Office using Microsoft’s own infrastructure.
✔ No cracked installers
✔ No malware risk
✔ No shady downloads
✔ Official enterprise deployment system
You are installing Office the same way businesses deploy it professionally.
If you later decide to activate permanently, you can add a valid license key anytime — no reinstall required.
