Setup Help

Installation Guide

Step-by-step instructions for downloading, installing, and activating your Microsoft Office or Windows license — from a fresh download to a fully activated product.

Last Updated: [Insert Date] Applies To: Office & Windows Format: Step-by-Step

Have your product key from your delivery email ready before you start.

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Before You Begin Installing Microsoft Office Installing Windows Windows Server Products Troubleshooting Still Need Help?

1Check Your Requirements

Make sure your license delivery email has arrived and you have your product key ready. Check that your device meets the minimum requirements for the product you purchased:

For Microsoft Office

Windows 10 or later, or macOS 12 or later
4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
4GB of available disk space
Internet connection required for activation

For Windows

1 GHz or faster compatible processor
4GB RAM (8GB recommended for Windows 11)
64GB or more available storage
DirectX 12-compatible graphics device

2Installing Microsoft Office

Download, install, and activate in three steps.

Download Office

Go to setup.office.com
Sign in with your Microsoft account, or create one if you don’t have one yet
Enter the product key exactly as it appears in your delivery email
Click “Install Office” and let the download finish

Run the Installer

Open the downloaded installer file
Click “Yes” if prompted by your device’s security settings
Wait for Office to finish downloading and installing

Installation time varies with your internet speed and device — this can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 20 or so on a slower connection. Let it run without interrupting.

Activate Office

Open any Office application (Word, Excel, etc.)
Sign in with the same Microsoft account used during download
Your license activates automatically — no further action needed

3Installing Windows

Create installation media, install, and activate.

Create Installation Media

Download the Windows Media Creation Tool directly from Microsoft
Run the tool and select “Create installation media”
Choose a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of free space
Follow the prompts to create bootable installation media

Install Windows

Insert the USB drive and restart your computer
Boot from the USB drive (usually by pressing F12, F2, or Del during startup)
Follow the Windows setup wizard
Enter your product key when prompted

Activate Windows

Go to Settings > System > Activation
Click “Change product key”
Enter your license key from your delivery email
Click “Next” to activate

Back up your files before installing a new copy of Windows. A fresh installation can erase existing data on the target drive.

4Windows Server Products

Windows Server installation and activation varies by edition and environment. For step-by-step guidance on your specific Windows Server license, contact our support team — we’re glad to walk through it with you.

5Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Product key already in use” error

Double-check you’re entering a fresh, unused key from your delivery email
Contact our support team if you believe the key you received was already redeemed

Installation stuck or frozen

Check your internet connection is stable
Temporarily disable antivirus software, then restart the installation
Restart your device and try again

Activation failed

Verify your product key was entered correctly, without extra spaces
Confirm you have an active internet connection
Contact us with a screenshot of the error and we’ll help resolve it

6Still Need Help?

If you run into anything not covered here, our support team is available by email or phone during business hours — just include your order number and a screenshot of any error message so we can help as quickly as possible. You can also check our full FAQ page for more answers.

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