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How to legally download Office 2016 and 2013 for free from Microsoft

If you have a product key for Microsoft Office, but don't have the installation files available, it's very easy to download them directly from Microsoft. Whether Microsoft Office was included with your system purchase, you've lost the disk, or you just want a copy of the files, we'll show you the different methods available.

Don't forget, if you have an Office 365 subscription, you're entitled to Office 2016 Get a free upgrade to Office 2016 today at no charge with your Office 365 subscription Upgrade to Office 2016 today at no charge with your Office 365 subscription Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows has landed and it brings many new smart features. If you have an Office 365 subscription, you can get it now for free, and we'll show you how below. Read more . However, these steps will work, whether or not you are on the latest self-updated version. Automatic Updates in Microsoft Office 2016 Explained Automatic Updates in Microsoft Office 2016 Explained Microsoft Office 2016 will run an automatic update feature and a number of different servicing branches similar to Windows 10. Let's explore what that means for your Office 2016 installation. Read more or the slightly older Microsoft Office 2013.

If you think we've missed a legal way to download Office for free from Microsoft, please share it in the comments.

How to obtain legal Microsoft Office installation files

1. From an Office 365 subscription

If you have an active Office 365 subscription, you're entitled to download full versions of some of the most popular Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This is also applicable if your company has an Enterprise license.

Go to your Office account page and sign in with the email address your Microsoft Office license is linked to, whether it's a personal or organizational account. Fill in your details, click Register , and click Install Office to navigate to your account. Click to start the download. Install .

How to legally download Office 2016 and 2013 for free from Microsoft

If you are using a company account, you should be redirected to your organization's office page, where you can click Install Now to grab the programs. However, be sure to uncheck Make Bing your search engine and Make MSN your browser's home page Before you do, unless that's what you want of course.

2. From a license key

If your new system came with a copy of Microsoft Office, it may already be pre-installed. Otherwise, you should have received a product key from the manufacturer, which you can use to download Office from Microsoft.

Alternatively, if you had a copy of Microsoft Office on a disk that is now broken or misplaced, you can use the same method to download replacement installation files.

How to legally download Office 2016 and 2013 for free from Microsoft

Whatever your situation, head over to Microsoft's download page and enter your 25-character product key. Click Next , then sign in to your Microsoft account. Once your settings are confirmed, you will be given a link to download your relevant version of Microsoft Office.

3. Order a backup disk

This isn't a download, nor is it completely free, but it's still worth including on this list as an alternative way to get your copy of Microsoft Office. If you have a disk copy of Microsoft Office and would like to order an additional copy, you can do so for a small fee and have it shipped to you.

For this, go to the Microsoft Office installation media site. Enter your product key, select your language and verify with a CAPTCHA. Then follow the rest of the steps to order your replacement drive.

How to legally download Office 2016 and 2013 for free from Microsoft

An alternative method would be to go to your account page, where you can choose to buy a disc and have it shipped to you, or alternatively you can download an ISO file that you can burn to a disc yourself CDBurnerXP - a great CD DVD burning tool, Blu-Rays and ISOs [Windows] CDBurnerXP:A Great Burning Tool For CDs DVDs, Blu-Rays and ISOs [Windows] Optical discs aren't forever, but even though they're losing importance, DVDs and Blu-rays -Ray is still an excellent medium for long-term backups, since it stores them correctly and does not use them as its ... Read more .

Installation process

The installation process will be essentially the same for all methods. It is incredibly simple and fast. First, open the installation file from disk or download. A window will appear to detail that Microsoft Office is being installed.

When complete, a message will be read. “You're all set! Office is installed now” and you will see an animation of where to find the Office programs on your computer. It will depend on your operating system exactly where they are stored, but they will be in the Start Menu and you can always do a Windows 7 system search Search tips to find what you're looking for in Windows 10 7 Search tips to find what you're looking for in Windows 10 Are you using Windows 10 search to its fullest? We'll show you how to customize Windows Search, useful search parameters, and other shortcuts. Our search tips will turn it into a search... Read More

How to legally download Office 2016 and 2013 for free from Microsoft

When you open an Office program for the first time, it will ask you to accept the license agreement, so click Accept if you do. You can also see the Microsoft Office Activation Wizard; follow the instructions for this. It is always best to select I want to activate the software over the internet. for faster activation.

Not free enough?

All of these methods are fine and good if you already have Microsoft Office, but you may be looking for a free Office alternative. 6 ways you can use Microsoft Office without paying for it. 6 ways you can use Microsoft Office without paying for it. Microsoft Office but don't like the price tag? Here are some ways you can use Microsoft Office for free! Read more . If that's the case, check out our guide on how to get Word for free. This is how you can get Microsoft Word for free. It's how you can get Microsoft Word for free. Don't want to pay for the full Microsoft Word experience? Don't worry, here are some ways to use Microsoft Word for free. Read more - and yes, it's completely legal!

If you need a complete office suite package, which suite is best for you? Which office suite is best for you? You will be pressured to find an occupation that does not require word or number processing of any kind. And you may be wondering, is Microsoft Office really the best solution? Here are your options. Read More We've rounded up some comparisons you should read, like our FreeOffice review Need a Microsoft Word and Office Alternative? Try FreeOffice 2016 Need an alternative to Microsoft Word and Office? Try FreeOffice 2016 Microsoft Office is the most advanced office suite on the planet. But why shell out money when you can use a free alternative that still offers everything you need? FreeOffice 2016 could be right for... Read More and review of the new LibreOffice Is the New LibreOffice a better alternative to Microsoft Office? Is the new LibreOffice a better Microsoft Office alternative? LibreOffice, a longtime Microsoft Office contender, just got a makeover and major updates. After being suppressed by bug bugs over the years, has LibreOffice finally found the winning formula? Read more.

Do you know of any other legal methods to download Microsoft Office for free from Microsoft? Do you have a preferred alternative completely free office suite package?