How to Install and Activate Office Retail (2016–2024)

Download, install, and activate supported Microsoft Office Retail editions from Office 2016 through Office 2024.

This guide explains how to download, install, and activate supported Microsoft Office Retail editions from Office 2016 through Office 2024. The installation process is shared across these editions; only the installer selected below changes.

Before you begin: keep Windows updated, use a stable internet connection, close all Office applications, and have your valid 25-character product key ready.

1. Download the correct Office installer

Select the edition and language that match your license. The buttons generate a direct download from Microsoft’s Office delivery service; InstantLicX does not host or modify the installer.

OFFICIAL MICROSOFT INSTALLER

Choose your Office edition

Downloads are generated directly from Microsoft's Office content delivery service.

Download 64-bit Recommended Download 32-bit

Most modern Windows computers should use 64-bit. Choose 32-bit only when you specifically need compatibility with an existing 32-bit Office installation or add-in.

2. Run OfficeSetup

Open the downloaded OfficeSetup.exe file with a normal double-click. Do not use “Run as administrator”; the Click-to-Run installer handles the required permissions itself.

OfficeSetup executable in Windows File Explorer
Open OfficeSetup.exe with a normal double-click.

If Windows asks whether the app may make changes to your device, confirm the prompt to continue.

3. Wait for installation to finish

Office downloads the required files in the background and installs them automatically. Keep the computer connected to the internet and do not close the installer.

Microsoft Office installation progress window
Keep the computer online while Microsoft downloads and installs Office.

The time required depends on your connection. Continue once Microsoft confirms that the installation is complete.

4. Open an Office app and enter your product key

Open Word after installation. When the activation screen appears, choose I have a product key.

Microsoft Word screen with I have a product key option
Choose “I have a product key” when Word asks you to sign in.

If the activation screen does not appear, go to File > Account, then choose Activate Product or Switch License.

Office Account screen highlighting Switch License
If no prompt appears, open File > Account and choose Switch License or Activate Product.

Enter the 25-character key exactly as supplied and select Activate Office.

Microsoft Office product key entry window
Enter your 25-character product key and select Activate Office.

Close every Office application completely, then reopen Word. Restarting the app allows the activation wizard to display the methods available for your license.

5. Choose telephone activation and copy the Installation ID

In the activation wizard, select I want to activate the software by telephone and continue.

Office activation wizard telephone option
Select the option to activate the software by telephone.

The next screen displays an Installation ID (IID) split into groups. Copy every group in order; you will use the complete number to request a Confirmation ID.

Office activation wizard showing Installation ID
Copy the complete Installation ID shown in Step 2 of the activation wizard.

6. Obtain your Confirmation ID

You can obtain the Confirmation ID (CID) using any of these methods:

  • Microsoft Product Activation Portal: the official, free, and manual method provided by Microsoft. Availability may depend on your Microsoft account and region.
  • @InstantLicX_bot: a simple and fast paid Telegram bot: send the IID as text or as an image to receive the CID.
  • GetCID.xyz: a paid web experience that accepts the IID as text or as an image. It can be integrated into an online store through its API or WordPress plugin and also provides WhatsApp and Telegram bots.

Using the Microsoft portal

Open the Microsoft Product Activation Portal, sign in with your Microsoft account, choose the option to activate a Microsoft product, and select the matching Office version.

Microsoft Product Activation Portal search result
Open the Microsoft Product Activation Portal when using the official manual method.

Paste the complete Installation ID when prompted, verify the groups, and submit it.

Microsoft portal Installation ID field
Paste the Installation ID into the portal and submit it.

If the portal asks how many computers have been installed with this copy and this is a new activation, enter 0.

Microsoft portal number of computers question
If this question appears for a new activation, enter 0 and continue.

7. Enter the Confirmation ID and finish activation

After your Installation ID is accepted, the selected service returns a Confirmation ID divided into groups.

Confirmation ID generated after submitting Installation ID
Copy the Confirmation ID returned by the activation service.

Return to the Office activation wizard and enter each CID group into the corresponding box from A through H. Select Next or Finish.

Office activation wizard Confirmation ID fields
Enter each Confirmation ID group in its corresponding field.

Open File > Account once more. The product information should now show that Office is activated.

Microsoft Office activated status
The Account screen confirms when Office is activated.

Troubleshooting

  • Make sure the installed edition matches the edition covered by your product key.
  • Install all pending Windows updates before trying the installation again.
  • Remove incompatible or older Office installations if setup reports a conflict.
  • Check that the Installation ID and Confirmation ID groups were copied in the correct order.
  • If Windows itself is damaged or heavily outdated, repair or update Windows before reinstalling Office.