This content was produced in partnership with Mr Key Shop.
If you’re looking for an answer to this question: “Can you download Microsoft Office for free?” You can rest assured, because you’re not alone.
With newer versions of Microsoft Office primarily cloud-based and online, such as Office 365, it makes sense to be concerned about offline access. Many people might also be wondering if it’s now possible to download Microsoft Office free, or get the older versions of Office for free? The short answer is that, yes, it is possible to install Microsoft Office for free, though there are limitations. But more importantly, it is not recommended — we’ll explain why throughout this guide.
For starters, Microsoft Office, in nearly all its forms, is readily available, and there are some excellent bargains to be had if you know where to look. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and more, they’re all included, and the entire suite is available if you activate Microsoft Office correctly. There are channels available to download Office illegally, but there is truly no reason to do such a thing considering the related risks. If and when you download Microsoft Office through these methods or websites, you’re opening your computer up to nefarious attacks, including malware, viruses, trojans, and more. There’s never a guarantee the software will work correctly either, meaning it may seem like you’re getting Office for Windows when in reality, you’re getting botched or modified applications.
Where to buy Microsoft Office
Before diving in, we thought it would be helpful to call out one of the best places to buy and install MS Office, in a full version, and with an original license, at a steep discount — Mr Key Shop. It offers legitimate copies of Microsoft Office because Mr Key Shop is a reseller of 100% original and genuine Software Licenses. You can get Microsoft Windows deals (Windows 11, Windows 10, and more), Microsoft Office packages, Windows Server, VPN, and antivirus software for PC, Mac, and mobile devices (Kaspersky, McAfee, Bitdefender, ESET, Norton, and AVAST in many versions).
Here are some things you can expect from buying at Mr Key Shop:
- All technical and customer support is available in English and for free.
- You can reach out for support through live chat on the Mr Key Shop website.
- The process is simple: Choose a license, buy through secure payments (Paypal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, etc.), and install.
- After purchase, you will receive an email detailing product and installation instructions.
- For peace of mind, check out Mr Key Shop on TrustPilot, with many positive reviews.
- Mr Key Shop is 100% eco-friendly as digital shipping eliminates pollution and waste versus physical freight.
- You’re always protected by a money-back guarantee.
Mr Key Shop deals and prices
At this point, you’re probably wondering what kind of bargains and deals are available at Mr Key Shop. We’ve assembled a brief list of some of the most popular digital products on offer:
- Microsoft Office 2021 – from
$149.99$89.99 - Microsoft Office 2019 – from
$149.99$69.99 - Microsoft Office 2016 – from
$109.99$49.99 - Microsoft Office 2013 –
$129.99$49.99 - Microsoft Office for Mac – from
$289.99$89.99
Shortly after buying, you will receive an email, allowing you to install Microsoft Office effortlessly, and it also walks you through the entire setup process — in specific the version you chose. You’d be hard-pressed to find that kind of service and support elsewhere, especially if you download MS Office in an older, legacy version.
While the options above certainly do not provide a free link to download Microsoft Office, they are genuine copies, with licenses, and available at an incredible price.
If you are an Apple user, you might want to read more about how to buy and download Office for Mac.
How to download Microsoft Office for free?
Back to the question at hand. Are you wondering how to download Microsoft Office for free? Or, more aptly, where you can find a Microsoft Office free download for Windows 10, or even Windows 11? It’s no secret that legitimate places to get Microsoft Office free are few and far between.
If you’re talking about the latest version, Office 365, it has a free 30-day trial you can take advantage of, although it’s not necessarily convenient. If you want to know how to download Microsoft Office in the older formats, you probably won’t like the answer. There is no legitimate way to find free Microsoft Office copies. To be clear, a safe, and genuine MS Office free download simply does not exist.
We’ll break down exactly why that is, and go into a little more detail, below.
Microsoft 365 free one-month trial
The latest version of the suite, Microsoft 365 is available to try for free for an entire month. You can try it completely free for 30 days, but take note that the Microsoft Office 365 free download is minimal, because the latest update to the application and suite took everything online and into the cloud. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the software offline on authorized devices — you can — but many of the common installation media isn’t used anymore — it’s all downloaded and handled digitally.
After the trial period is up, if you want to keep using the service, you’ll need to pay for a subscription. If you absolutely need the newest and most up-to-date version of Microsoft 365 then there’s no other way. However, it’s so much more convenient to purchase a version of Office through Mr Key Shop, both because of the great bargains and also because you’re not dealing with continuous subscription fees or online access. If you want to get Microsoft Office for free, or at least 365, the trial is the only way. You will have to provide a credit card to take advantage of the trial on Microsoft’s website, and you’ll have to remember to cancel before it ends or you’ll be charged the full $99.99 for an Office 365 Family subscription.
Get Office free as a student or teacher
Are you a student, teacher, or academic? It may be possible to download Office free in that case or at a substantially reduced price. Microsoft has always offered student and teacher-focused copies of the Office Suite either for free or at a steep discount for those who simply cannot live without it. Both Microsoft Office 2019, and Microsoft Office 2021, have student-oriented packages available. However, things are a bit different with Office 365, which is an online and cloud-based application. Students and educators are eligible to sign up for 365 for free by providing a school-associated email address, right on Microsoft’s website.
That may not be the best option, however, especially if you’re always on the move. You might be better off grabbing an older, and heavily discounted, copy of Microsoft Office from Mr Key Shop, instead.
Recover a product key from an unused device
Those who already own older versions of the suite, may be wondering if they have to buy Microsoft Office all over again? Couldn’t you just install Office using a product key from a retired or unused device? Is there some kind of portal to access Microsoft Office apps download packages for a reinstall?
It really depends on the version of Microsoft Office you’re trying to install. What’s more, there is no official channel to download Office free, whether you’re talking about a place to download Microsoft Office 2013 for Mac or a place to find a Microsoft Office 2019 free download for Windows 10 64-bit. Office 2010 no longer even has a download page on the Microsoft Site, for example, even for those who previously purchased a copy. And since Office 2013 will no longer be supported — with the end of life slated for April 2023 — the download page on Microsoft’s website will soon be removed for that, as well.
Product key in hand or not, we recommend taking advantage of Mr Key Shop’s bargain prices for legitimate copies of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
Recover a product key from old installation media
Similar to recovering old product keys, what about the possibility of a Microsoft Office download, or being able to install Microsoft Office, using old media — like floppies, CDs, thumb drives, and so on? Wouldn’t they allow you to download Microsoft Office free, technically?
It’s difficult to say, and it’s going to depend on the install package for the version of Windows or Microsoft Office you’re trying to install. A Microsoft Office 2021 free download for Windows 10, for example, will likely require critical feature, security, and bug updates before you can use the software. A Microsoft Office free download or install using old media means you’re seldom getting the full application because those software updates were not included on the disc.
Licenses purchased through Mr Key Shop are perpetual. Your product key(s) will be paired with your Microsoft account for newer versions — like Microsoft Office 2021 — and because it’s a licensed copy you’ll be able to receive the necessary updates for the application(s).
Use the Office mobile app
Is it possible to start a Microsoft 365 download of newer versions of the suite through the Office mobile app, for use on the go? No, not really. The apps themselves can be installed on mobile devices, and tablets, but they will require some type of online activation before you can take full advantage. While it is possible to download free Microsoft Office apps in the respective mobile app stores — iTunes and Google Play — you’ll run into quite a few limitations in the latest versions of the apps.
DON’T download from download sites, use a crack, or KMS tool!
While more public discussions often skirt the idea that it is possible to download Office for free from rather unsavory websites and portals, that doesn’t change the fact that it is a reality. Yes, you could potentially download Microsoft Office 2010 for free, download Microsoft Office 2016 for free, or even some of the other releases of the suite, but you should avoid doing so at all costs. That low, low price of free is ever enticing, but it comes with a host of unique problems and could mean compromising your privacy and security on the computer(s) where it’s installed.
It may be tempting to hop onto a torrent or similar site to download Microsoft Office 2013 for free, but you really, really don’t want to do that. Not to mention, a Microsoft Office free download on those sites doesn’t come with a legitimate way to check or register the license. They rely on custom tools and applications, such as a KMS tool, to regularly activate the copy of Windows or Office, and there’s no telling what they’re doing to your computer behind the scenes, or what kind of information they’re sharing with bad actors.
A free Microsoft Office download from these places is never worth the risk. Take a look at the prices Mr Key Shop regularly offers, however. Once you see just how much of a bargain you can get, for 100% genuine copies there’s virtually no reason why you’d go looking elsewhere. What’s more, after a quick purchase, you can always download Microsoft Office free for Windows 10 or 11 at Mr Key Shop’s site — you won’t lose your keys or copies.