Install Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is available for free to faculty, staff, and students. This license allows you to install the latest version of Microsoft 365 (Windows and Mac) on five (5) different devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets and smart phones.

University Owned Computers

All university owned computers should already have some version of Microsoft Office installed. If you have an older version (e.g., Office 2016, 2013, Office 2010, Office 2011), upgrade to Microsoft 365. If you have a Windows computer, go to your Software Center, if you have a Mac, go to Self Service. The latest version of Office works best with other apps in our Microsoft 365 environment like Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and the traditional Office apps (Word, Excel).

Computers Owned by Faculty, Staff, and Students

Faculty, staff and students can download and install new Microsoft 365 Apps on up to 5 devices through Microsoft Office 365. This software is licensed as long as the licensee has a valid @wwu.edu email address. If you leave the university, the software will switch to a read-only mode once you can no longer sign-in using an @wwu.edu email address. If you wish to continue using Microsoft Office after you leave the university, you can sign-up for a personal Office 365 subscription directly from Microsoft. See the instructions below for downloading on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

Installing M365 For Different Operating Systems

  1. Login to M365 by clicking Microsoft 365 on MyWestern or microsoft365.com
  2. Click "Install and more" in the upper right corner and select "Install Microsoft 365 apps"
  3. Run the downloaded installer from your downloads folder and wait for the software to download and install (15-30 minutes)
    • If you do not see the Install Office option, please submit a ticket so we can check the license on your account.
  4. This will begin a download. Once downloaded, open the .exe file titled OfficeSetup.
  5. A popup will appear asking for permission to make changes; select Yes.
  6. Office will begin to download and install on your machine. Note: Microsoft 365 is now available to use, but your computer must remain connected to the internet to continue downloading the full suite of software. You will get a notification that the installation is finished and you can close the installer.
  7. Open any Microsoft 365 application from the Start menu.
  8. When prompted for your email address, enter your username@wwu.edu address, then click Next.
    • If you are not directly prompted to sign in, select the Sign in option in the upper right, near the minimize button.
  9. When prompted for your password, enter your universal password and click Sign in.

Microsoft automatically syncs your WWU login across all M365 applications on your computer, so you do not need to sign in to each one individually.

  1. Login to M365 by clicking Microsoft 365 on MyWestern or microsoft365.com
  2. Click "Install and more" in the upper right corner and select "Install Microsoft 365 apps"
  3. Run the downloaded installer from your downloads folder and wait for the software to download and install (15-30 minutes)
  4. After the download has completed, open Finder, go to Downloads, double-click Microsoft_Office_Installer.pkg.
  5. Click Agree to agree to the license agreement, then click Install to continue the installation process.
  6. When the installation is complete, you will receive a message saying "The installation was successful." Click Close to complete the installation.
  7. You will then be prompted to activate Office for Mac. Select Sign in to an existing Office 365 subscription.
  8. When prompted for your email address, enter your username@wwu.edu address, then click Next.
  9. When prompted for your password, enter your universal password and click Sign in.
  10. If prompted, enter your name, and answer the personal preference questions.
    The installation is now complete - click All Done!

M365 is now available in your Application folder.

All faculty, staff, and students can install Microsoft's free mobile apps. Search your app store for any of the M365 apps, and sign-in with your username@wwu.edu and your WWU universal password.

Check out Microsoft's instructions for setting up Outlook and other Office applications. That page contains information for both Android and iOS devices.

Contact the Help Desk if you need further assistance.