How to get word for free


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Your guide to using the Microsoft Office suite of productivity apps for free


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  • Using Office Online
  • |

  • Using Office Mobile Apps
  • |

  • Using Office 365 Education
  • |

  • Joining a Shared Account
  • |

  • Getting a Free Trial
  • |

  • Downloading Old Versions of Office
  • |

  • Trying Alternatives
  • |

  • Q&A

Microsoft Office, now known as Microsoft 365, is one of the most popular productivity suites in the world. If you need to open, edit, or create Office documents but don’t want to pay for Office, there are a few options available. You can use the Office web and mobile apps for free to create and edit documents online or get a free account through your school if you’re a student or educator. We’ll also discuss how to get onto a family member’s shared account, download an old copy online, or sign up for a free trial. If none of those options work for you, we’ll talk you through some alternative apps that support Office formats.

Things You Should Know

  • You can use free versions of Microsoft 365 on the web or as mobile apps. You’ll need a free Microsoft account.
  • If you’re a student or educator, you may be eligible for a free copy of Office from your school.
  • Check if someone you know can share a Microsoft 365 Family subscription with you.
  • You can also try the Office apps free for 1 month.
  1. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 9

    1

    Visit the Microsoft 365 website. Microsoft offers Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office apps for free online. These versions aren’t quite as powerful as the desktop versions, but you can still do just about anything you’d need to without installing or paying for anything. Visit the Office Online website to view the available web apps.

    • In the online version of Word, you can’t create or modify new styles, use rulers or gridlines, customize the spellcheck dictionary, or edit password-protected documents.[1]
  2. 2

    Log in or sign up for a free Microsoft account. If you don’t already have a Microsoft account, you’ll need to sign up for one to start using Office apps online. Click Sign in or Sign up for free to get started. Follow the prompts to either log in or create your new account.

    • With the basic free account, you’ll get 5GB of storage in Microsoft’s cloud service, OneDrive. Any documents you create in the online Microsoft 365 suite will be automatically saved to OneDrive.

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  3. 3

    Select the online app you want to use. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be taken to the Microsoft 365 online interface. From there, you can select the app you want to use from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the page, or choose one of the options under the Create New header in the central dashboard area.

    • For example, click the tile that says Document and shows the Word icon to create a new Word document.
    • Documents you create will automatically be saved to your OneDrive account. However, you can also save them to your computer by opening the File menu, selecting Save as, and choosing Download a Copy.
    • You can also open documents in the online version of Microsoft 365 by uploading them to OneDrive, then opening them in the appropriate app.
    • Use the Share feature to share links to your documents or manage who can access and edit them.
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  1. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 15

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    Download the Microsoft 365 mobile apps on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. Microsoft has free Office apps available for Android and iOS. You can download them from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. The free versions of the apps provide basic editing and creation features. Using an Office 365 subscription gives you access to more advanced features.

  2. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 16

    2

    Allow the Office apps to access your device storage. When you launch the apps for the first time, you may be prompted to grant access to your device’s storage. Allow access so that you can easily save and load files.

  3. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 17

    3

    Sign in with a Microsoft account to connect to OneDrive. You’ll be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account when you first launch the app. While you can skip this, signing in or creating a free account will give you 5GB of OneDrive storage and will allow you to sync Office files across your devices.

    • When you skip signing in, you won’t be able to save your documents, although you can use the
      iPhone Forward

      Share button to send a copy or save it to your device.

    • The keyboard may also not work properly if you aren’t signed in.
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    4

    Tap the folder icon to open files from various locations. You can open files that have been downloaded to your device, documents stored in Google Drive or Dropbox, your OneDrive files, and more. The Office apps support all of the normally compatible formats (i.e. the Word app can open DOC, DOCX, and TXT files).

    • If you’re logged in, you’ll be able to see recent documents stored in your OneDrive on the Home screen.
  5. 5

    Select + to create a new document. Tap the + button and select one of the options from the New screen to make a new document. You can either create a blank document from scratch or choose from a variety of templates.

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    6

    Use the buttons at the top to access formatting tools. The «A» button with a pencil will open the formatting frame. You can select basic editing and formatting tools from the familiar Office tabs in this frame. Tap the «Home» button to view the different tabs you can switch between. You can scroll the formatting frame up and down to view all of the available options.

    • When the keyboard is open, you can swipe the bar above it left and right to view quick-access formatting tools.
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    Tap the «Save» button to save. If you are logged in, your document will save automatically at regular intervals. You can also tap the Save button that appears to create an instant save, or tap the ••• Menu button in the upper-left corner and select «Save» at any time.

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  1. 1

    Visit the Office 365 Education website to get started. If you’re a student or teacher at a participating school, you can get Office 365 for free. Start by visiting https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office.

    • The Education version of Microsoft 365 offers a wide range of full-featured desktop Office apps, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Teams, Access, and Publisher.
    • If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for a free Education version of Office, ask at your school’s IT department.
  2. 2

    Enter your school email address and click Get Started. On the Office 365 Education website, type your school email into the text box near the top of the page. Click the blue Get Started button under the text field.

  3. 3

    Select I’m a student or I’m a teacher. From there, Microsoft will attempt to verify your account.

    • If Microsoft can’t verify that the email address you entered is currently valid at your school, you’ll be prompted to try a different login or reach out to your school’s IT department.
  4. 4

    Download Microsoft 365 onto your computer. If you’re eligible for an Education account, follow the login prompts to sign in with your school ID and password. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Microsoft 365. You’ll be able to use the Office apps for free until you graduate or leave the school.[2]

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  1. 1

    Find out if any family or friends have a 365 Family subscription. Microsoft 365 Family subscribers can share their subscription with up to 5 other people. If you know someone who subscribes, this can be an easy way to get free access to the Office apps.[3]

    • The shared plan includes 1TB of OneDrive storage for each person on the plan.[4]
  2. 2

    Ask them to log in from the Sharing page. To start sharing with you, your friend or family member will need to visit the sharing page: https://account.microsoft.com/services/office/sharing. Once they sign in, they’ll need to select Start Sharing.

  3. 3

    Have them choose an option from the Share Office menu. They’ll see a popup with the option to invite you to share via email. Or, they can copy a share link and email or text it to you.

  4. 4

    Click the share link and sign in with your Microsoft account. Once you get the share link or email invitation, click it to go to the You’re Invited page. Select Get Started and follow the instructions to sign in and get access to Office 365.[5]

    • If your family member sent you an email invitation, you’ll need to use that same email address to create your free Microsoft account.[6]
  5. 5

    Install Microsoft 365 on your computer. Once you’re signed in with the shared account, you will be taken to the Microsoft 365 Family page. From there, select Install Office to install the Office apps on your computer for free.

    • You’ll have access as long as your family member’s subscription is active and they continue to share their subscription with you.[7]
    • The owner of the account can stop sharing with you at any time if they wish.
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    Use the trial to try out Microsoft 365 for a month. You can use Office suite for free for one month by downloading the Microsoft 365 trial. This includes the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Office programs. Microsoft 365 is the only version of Office with a free trial available.

    • Signing up for the free trial will require a valid credit card, but you will not be charged until the start of the second month. Canceling before the end of the first month will prevent any charges and allow you to use the trial for the entire first month.
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    2

  3. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 3

    3

    Click the Try 1 month free button. This will begin the sign-up process.

  4. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 4

    4

    Log in with your Microsoft account or create one. You’ll be prompted to log in with your Microsoft account. You can use any Hotmail, Live.com, or Outlook.com email address to sign in, or you can create a new account for free. Creating an account is required for the trial.

  5. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 5

    5

    Enter a valid credit card. You’ll need to enter a credit or debit card in order to start your trial. This card will not be charged immediately, but you will be charged the monthly Office 365 fee if you don’t cancel by the end of the trial.

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    Download the Office 365 installer. After creating your account and entering your credit card information, you’ll be given a link to download the Office 365 installer. The installer itself is very small, and should only take a few moments to download.

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    Run the installer after downloading it. Once the installer has downloaded, run it to begin the actual download and installation of Office. You may be prompted to enter your Microsoft account again before the download begins.

    • During installation, you’ll be given the option to select which Office products you want to install. You can save time and hard drive space by deselecting the programs you won’t be using. You can always install them again later if you end up needing them.
    • The installation process will take a fair amount of time, especially if you have a slow internet connection.
    • You’ll be able to find your newly installed Office programs in your Start menu. You can use all of the features of the programs for your entire trial.
    • The free trial will also allow you to access the full versions of the Office apps across multiple devices where you’re logged into your Microsoft account.
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  1. 1

    Keep in mind that there are no freeware versions of Office. Microsoft has never released any desktop version of Office for free. However, you may be able to use an old copy of Office if you’re also able to get the license or original product key.

  2. 2

    Download an older version that you own from the Microsoft website. If you have ever owned a copy of Office in the past, you may be able to re-install it using your Microsoft account. This will only work for versions of Office that were linked to your Microsoft account. To get started:[8]

    • Visit https://account.microsoft.com/billing/orders
    • Select All available from the Ordered within dropdown menu.
    • Find the old version of Office you want to install and select Product key/install. Follow the instructions on the screen.
    • Select Install Office and follow the prompts to begin the installation process.
  3. 3

    Be careful downloading cracked copies of Office. There are various websites where you can download old copies of individual Office apps or the whole Office suite for free. However, these services may not be safe or legal. Try them at your own risk, and make sure you have good anti-malware software installed on your computer.

    • Archive.org has several old versions of Office available. You can try using the product key or serial number listed on the download page for each version of Office. Visit the software archive page and search for Microsoft office to see the options: https://archive.org/details/software
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    Check out the available desktop Office replacements. There are several programs available that can give you most of the features found in Office, and even some that Office doesn’t have. These programs are all able to open and edit Office documents, as well as a variety of open formats. The most popular suites are FreeOffice, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice.[9]

    • FreeOffice is considered the most user-friendly of the options, while OpenOffice and LibreOffice are more powerful. If you are familiar with Office, consider FreeOffice or LibreOffice.
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  3. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 24

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    Run the installer. You’ll be given the option to choose which of the productivity programs you want to install. By only selecting the ones you plan to use, you can cut down on installation time and hard disk space.

  4. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 25

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    Get acquainted with your new program. All three Office alternatives listed above look and behave differently, and they are all full-featured software programs. As such, they’ll all have a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’re used to using Office. The basic features should be fairly straightforward, and you can look on YouTube or here on wikiHow for instructions on performing more advanced tasks.

    • See Use OpenOffice Writer for details on using Writer, the OpenOffice Word alternative.
    • See Use LibreOffice for tips on getting familiar with the LibreOffice word processor.
  5. Image titled Get Microsoft Office For Free Step 26

    5

    Consider web-based Office alternatives. As online tools become more powerful, there is less and less need for installing productivity programs on your computer. Besides the apps detailed above, there are several web-based productivity suites you can use. All of these services allow you to upload and edit Office documents.

    • Google Docs is the most famous of the web-based options. You can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations using Google’s online tools. You can access everything from Google Drive, where your documents will be stored. If you have a Gmail account, you have access to Google Docs. See Use Google Drive for details on creating and editing documents.
    • Zoho is another cloud-based Office replacement. Its interface is much more similar to the Office interface than Google Docs. Like Google Docs, you can create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
    • OnlyOffice is an online Office alternative that allows you to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
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Add New Question

  • Question

    How do I cancel my free trial?

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    Sign into your Microsoft account and go to the Services page, then click the Cancel link under your free trial subscription. Follow the instructions to cancel your trial. If you don’t see a Cancel link, automatic billing is already turned off and your trial should expire automatically on the date listed.

  • Question

    Are there older versions of Microsoft Office available for free? I have a full license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 on a CD but I am not able to transfer it to my new computer :(

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    wikiHow Staff Editor

    Staff Answer

    Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t officially offer older versions of Office for free. In some cases, you may be able to download earlier versions that you own by logging into your Microsoft account and browsing your past purchases. However, this will only work if you purchased the older copy of Office through your current Microsoft account.

  • Question

    Do you have to pay for any updates or any additions on Office Online, Open Office, LibreOffice, FreeOffice, Google Docs, etc.?

    Community Answer

    No, you don’t pay for anything with those.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

If you want to use Microsoft Office for free, all you have to do is visit office.com to launch the web app versions of Microsoft Office software. When you get to office.com, scroll down a little and click on the icon of the software you want to use. Then, sign in with a Microsoft account, which can be your personal, business, or school account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free, which will allow you to save documents on Microsoft’s OneDrive storage. When you sign in, you can start using Microsoft Office software for free. However, the web version of Microsoft Office is not the full program and will have some limitations that you should keep in mind. For instance, the web apps do not auto-save, so make sure to save your work manually from time to time. To learn more, like how to use the free Microsoft Office mobile apps, read on!

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How To Get Microsoft Word for Free: 4 Legitimate Ways

If you’re wondering whether you can get Microsoft Word for free,  the answer is yes.

Whether it’s a full version of the software, a trial, or a limited edition, you can get Microsoft Word for free and use it normally.

In this article, you can find 4 legitimate ways you can get Microsoft Word for free. 

Can I download Microsoft Word for free?

Yes. you can download and use Microsoft Word for free. But this will only happen if you don’t need the full suite of Microsoft Word or Microsoft 365 tools. On Microsoft 365, you can access a number of its apps online for free — including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Calendar, and Skype.

But there are other ways that we’ve discussed below.

There are 4 ways to use Microsoft Word for free:

  • Free Microsoft Word on Mobile. Download the free Word app for iOS and Android.
  • Use the Microsoft 365 free trial
  • Microsoft 365 Education is free for students and educators
  • Use Word Online in your browser

Let’s discuss them in detail below!

1. Download the free Word app for iOS and Android

Get Microsoft word for free

Did you know that the mobile version of Word is free on both iOS and Android devices? Well, now you do. This is the perfect way of getting quick access to the applications, even though the platform has some limitations.

While you won’t be getting a full-feature Microsoft Word experience, you can use the app to create and edit documents with minimal features. It’s also perfect if you’re working on the go, as you can fit all of your documents in your pocket.

To download the application, search for “Microsoft Word” in the App Store or Google Play store, or click on the link corresponding to your platform:

  • Microsoft Word on the App Store (iOS)
  • Microsoft Word on Google Play (Android)

You’re good to go just installing the app on your smartphone or tablet. If you want an easier experience typing, try connecting a Bluetooth keyboard!

2. Use the Microsoft 365 free trial

Although Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365, if anyone is confused) can become expensive, there’s a free trial readily available for all new customers. You can use this to get quick access to Microsoft Word via this free trial. If you’re satisfied with the application, you can review the available plans and possibly purchase the service!

  1. Open the Microsoft 365 page in any web browser. Here, click on the Personal and family button.
    microsoft 365 hme page
  2. Scroll down and click on the Try free for 1 month link under the Microsoft 364 Family plan. Make sure that your platform is compatible with this suite!
    microsoft 365 plans
  3. Again, click on the Try 1 month free button. You’ll be redirected to a page where you need to log into your Microsoft account. This account will be linked to your free trial.
    microsoft 365 trials
  4. Log in to your account or create a new one. Once you reach the trial page, click on the Next button to proceed.
    microsoft 365
  5. Add your preferred payment method (don’t worry, you won’t be charged for the duration of your trial) and proceed. When you’re done, download Microsoft 364 and begin your free trial!

Now, you have access to Microsoft Word entirely for free for the duration of a month. Additionally, you also get some other Office apps to try out like Excel and PowerPoint.

3. Microsoft 365 Education is free for students

Microsoft 365 Education

If you’re a teacher or student, Microsoft 365 Education may be available to you for free. It includes Office Online (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint), unlimited personal cloud storage, and access via the app on all devices with an internet connection.

It can be accessed anywhere thanks to a Microsoft Teams feature which allows users to work remotely! T

To check if you qualify for this benefit, visit this link here and scroll down. Enter your school email address, get your Office suite, and access Microsoft Word for free!

4. Use Word Online in your browser

Microsoft Word  Online

Microsoft has a completely free browser version for the classic Office apps, which includes Word. You can use this to get a limited-feature version of the software. To use it, just click here and log in with your Microsoft account.

Conclusion

So, if you’re looking for a free version of MS Word but don’t know where to start, this article is here for you. We’ve compiled all the legitimate options and what they offer so that you can make an informed decision. Whether your goal is saving money or getting features like collaboration tools or project management capabilities, you can get access to Word!

But the best way to get Microsoft Office is to Buy. You can Buy from SoftwareKeep here!

If there’s still one more thing on your mind after reading through this article — check out our Help Center. The SoftwareKeep team has put together a ton of helpful content about Word and other Microsoft Office products! And remember that it doesn’t stop with Word; we also cover Excel and PowerPoint among others.

Once you’re ready to purchase Microsoft Word for yourself, shop with us. Sign up for our newsletter to get promotions, deals, and discounts from us right in your inbox. Subscribe with your email address below!

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Доступ к Интернету нужен для установки и активации всех последних выпусков приложений и служб, входящих в состав всех планов подписки Microsoft 365. Обратите внимание, что действующим подписчикам не требуется переустанавливать программное обеспечение или приобретать другую подписку.

Если вы пользуетесь одним из планов Microsoft 365, доступ к Интернету потребуется для управления учетной записью подписки, например для установки приложений Office на другие ПК или для изменения параметров выставления счетов. Если у вас не установлено классическое приложение OneDrive, подключение к Интернету также требуется Классическое приложение OneDrive.

Рекомендуем также регулярно подключаться к Интернету, чтобы проверять наличие новых версий Microsoft 365 и пользоваться преимуществами автоматического обновления. Если вы ни разу не подключитесь к Интернету в течение 31 дня, ваши приложения перейдут в режим ограниченной функциональности, в котором можно только просматривать и распечатывать свои документы, но нельзя редактировать их или создавать новые. Для повторной активации приложений достаточно снова подключиться к Интернету.

Для работы с приложениями Office, такими как Word, Excel и PowerPoint, доступ к Интернету не требуется, так как они полностью установлены на компьютере.

Forget pesky paywalls, download and use Microsoft Word for free and get access to the familiar experience you know and love anytime, anywhere

The Microsoft Word icon on a laptop screen.

(Image: © Shutterstock / monticello)

When it comes to word processing, Microsoft Word continues to reign supreme over alternatives like Google Docs and Adobe Acrobat. Although these alternatives are getting better and better, making the market more competitive for Microsoft, Word still shines above the rest because it is user-friendly, feature-packed, and allows you to work with documents quickly and effectively.

In our review of Microsoft Word (opens in new tab), we’re clear that this application is completely indispensable because of its features, support, and intuitive interface. As mentioned in that article, Word’s current capabilities extend far beyond text formatting, to encompass features like web page formatting, instant translation, and 3D model insertion.

When it comes to Microsoft, Word (along with the whole Microsoft 365 (opens in new tab) suite) offers everything you could possibly want when it comes to productivity, communication, and collaboration. The Microsoft 365 suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams, provides you with a comprehensive set of tools to help you stay productive, connected, and organized.

With the suite of apps, you can create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, manage contacts and emails, store and share files, and collaborate with colleagues in real time. Microsoft 365 also includes a variety of security features to help keep your data safe and secure. With Microsoft Word and the Microsoft 365 suite, you have everything you need to stay on track.

However, the cost is a major deterrent for most people to take advantage of what it has to offer. Even without the entire Microsoft 365 suite, Word on its own is fantastic, having very little to leave you frustrated.

The most upsetting thing about Word is that it’s been hidden behind a paywall for most of the past 30 years. This has left the door open for Google Docs and other word processors and document editors to offer their subpar services for free, which is an extremely compelling offer considering Word and Docs are somewhat similar on the surface.

As previously mentioned, Microsoft Word has more competition than ever, especially beyond the paywall. Alternative applications, like Google Docs (opens in new tab), are on the scene, forcing Microsoft to offer Word for free just to compete.

While it’s true that you’re more limited in scope and some features aren’t available, on the whole, the free version of Microsoft Word will get the job done sufficiently for most people. You can still create professional documents, edit and format text, and insert images and tables.

Additionally, there’s no longer any requirement to buy a copy or sign up for Microsoft 365 to use Microsoft Word, which is a huge relief if you’re on a budget. However, if you decide you’d like to make the purchase, the best Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 deals (opens in new tab) will ensure you get the lowest price possible, especially if you are trying to avoid a hefty price tag.

If you’re currently shopping for the best MacBook and Macs (opens in new tab) and feel like that’s going to be enough of a financial outlay for now, or you already have a laptop and just can’t justify any extra expenses at the moment, the straightforward step-by-step instructions below will help you download and use Microsoft Word for free.

Best Microsoft 365 and Office deals

Screenshot of Microsoft Word Online

(Image credit: TechRadar)

How to use Microsoft Word for free on Windows 10, Mac, Chrome OS, and Linux

The easiest way to download and use Microsoft Word for free is right in your web browser. Whether you’re on Windows 10 (opens in new tab), Mac, Chrome OS, or Linux, using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or any other major browser, you can access a free-to-use version of Microsoft Word.

All you need is a Microsoft account and a data connection to access the free version of Word. Open t (opens in new tab)he official Microsoft Office website in your browser (opens in new tab) of choice to gain access to Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and other Microsoft products.

Using Microsoft Word online is a lot like Google Docs in that you have automatic cloud backups of your work with OneDrive. You also have the ability to collaborate with other people in real time. This isn’t the full version of Microsoft Word, but it has the same interface, is just as safe, and has all the basic suite of features that the majority of people will need access to.

Office Mobile

(Image credit: Microsoft Office Mobile)

How to use Microsoft Word for free on iOS and Android

More advanced features are available to users with a Microsoft 365 subscription, but if all you’re looking for is basic access to Microsoft Word on your smartphone or tablet, this will do the job very well. You can download and use Microsoft Word for free from either the Apple App Store (opens in new tab) or Google Play Store (opens in new tab).

Using Microsoft Word on a smartphone or a tablet might not be your first choice because of how small and difficult phones can be to deal with and type on, but it is free. Previously, Microsoft had a standalone Word app for both iOS and Android, but it has now merged Word with Excel and Powerpoint on mobile in a single Microsoft Office application.

This allows for better access to any Excel spreadsheets or Powerpoint presentations that you might need while using Word, as all three are integrated into this one application.

To use it, you only need to log in with a Microsoft account for free access to basic features, as well as online collaboration, backup to OneDrive, and the ability to create PDF files from your documents.

Summary

Not only is there no requirement to pay to use Microsoft Word anymore, but there’s also no requirement to even install it if you’re using it on a PC. The development of the browser-based application for Windows 10, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS users makes it easy and convenient to work solo or in collaboration.

The mobile application also provides free on-the-go access to basic editing features from your pocket, and all of this only requires a Microsoft account to keep everything in sync.

Microsoft Word is great because it is an easy-to-use word-processing program that allows users to create and edit documents quickly and effectively. It has a wide range of features, such as a spell-checker, grammar checker, table creation, and text formatting. Additionally, Word is compatible with a variety of other Microsoft Office programs, making it a great tool for collaboration, allowing you to stay on target with all of your projects and tasks.

We’ve listed the best Microsoft Office alternatives.

Ray is a Staff Writer for TechRadar, having previously contributed numerous pieces to other technology websites such as Makeuseof and Thesweetbits. He has been writing about a multitude of topics within the tech industry for years, and now lends his experience to variable content on TechRadar. In his free time, you’ll likely find Ray riding trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on his mountain bike.

Most Popular

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

MS Word has become an indispensable tool for anybody, be it students, working professionals, and many more. From simple document writing to creating full-fledged reports, brochures, and letterheads, MS Word is something that any person should have. Today, let us see how we can get Microsoft Word for free in a perfectly legal way!

You can use MS Word for free in either online or offline mode. Let us explore the online route first!

Get Microsoft Word Online

To use MS Word for free online, we need to go to www.office.com. Here, you would be able to see the option of Sign In.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Now sign in with your Microsoft ID.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

In case you do not have a Microsoft ID yet, just create one by clicking on the Create one.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

While signing in, you will be prompted to choose the profile you want to sign in with. Just choose your desired account and sign in.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Once you have created and signed in, you will be greeted by the Home page that shows all the recent documents that you have opened, be it MS Word, Excel, or Powerpoint.

get ms word for free

On the vertical ribbon located on the left side of the page, You will find the first option as Home, which is the default first page upon logging in.

Just click on the MS Word icon in the ribbon.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

You will be able to see a very familiar sight, as the home screen of MS Word online is quite similar to what you would find on your PC.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Here you can open up any previously saved work or you can start a new document. You can even start with a template depending on the type of document that you want to create. You can freely type out your document and edit it, and once you close the document, the changes will be saved automatically.

On the top left of the screen, you will be able to see that your document is saved to OneDrive.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

If you click on that bar, you will be able to change your file name.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Now you might be wondering that these files are being saved on OneDrive, but what if you wanted them on your device. Well, that is easy to accomplish as well! Just open the file you want to save and :

  • Go to File.
  • Click on Save as.
  • Click on Download a Copy.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Following this process, your browser will download a copy of the file onto your device. You can visit the particular folder where your downloads are stored and access your file from there.

So this was the entire process of using MS Word online for free. Now let’s explore the offline version!

Get Microsoft Word Offline

The alternate way of using MS Word for free is as follows:

  • Go to the search bar on your taskbar.
  • Type Office
  • You will see the Office app, which is the free version of MS Office. Click on it.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

This will bring up a similar look as to the home page we saw in the online version, instead, this is actually on your device. In case you are unable to go online, this is a good version to use.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

The app will open up with the Home screen, showing recent documents that you have opened. On the left vertical ribbon, click on the MS Word icon, and the Home page of MS Word will open. Here you can open up a previous document you have already worked on, start a blank new document or choose different templates, depending on your work. Your work will be saved to OneDrive, or you can save a copy by going to File > Save a Copy.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Another interesting approach to using MS Word for free is available if you are a student, teacher, or administrator for a school. You can follow the steps below:

  • Go to www.microsoft.com/education.
  • Click on the Products drop-down menu.
  • Click on Office 365.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

Scroll down and enter your school email ID.
Click on GET STARTED.

One thing to note is that the school ID must end in “.edu” to access MS Office for free.

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

So now that we have explored how to access MS Word for free, you can now easily use it to level up your dissertations, projects, papers, or any other document that you need to work on.

Hope you find this article useful and informative for you!

Click here to download 101 Free Word Templates that you can use and customize!

How to Get Microsoft Word for FREE with Windows 10 | MyExcelOnline

You can learn more about how to use Excel by viewing our FREE Excel webinar training on FormulasPivot Tables, and Macros & VBA!

Microsoft Office remains the gold standard of office applications, but a Microsoft Office license can cost a fortune. One year after its release, Microsoft Office 2021 Home & Business still retails for just under $250 for a single PC license.

If that makes your wallet weep, check out these methods to use Microsoft Office for free.

1. Use Microsoft Office Online

Microsoft itself offers a substantial collection of free Microsoft Office utilities. Office on the web (this is its official name, but many still refer to it as Office Online) is essentially a browser-based version of the latest Microsoft Office suite.

It currently includes:

  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • OneNote
  • Sway
  • Mail
  • People
  • Calendar
  • OneDrive

There is a catch, however. The online versions of Microsoft Office apps only provide a limited Microsoft Office experience.

Word Online, for example, does not include text boxes, WordArt, equations, charts, and more. You can still write a term paper, but you won’t be able to compile a company report. Similarly, you’ll be able to open and view your Excel spreadsheet, but your custom macros won’t load.

office on the web options

While Office Online lacks some functionality, it is a versatile free alternative to a fully paid Microsoft Office license. The free Office versions will happily open your files, allow editing, and importantly, keep your document formatting in place at all times.

If you only need a full-fledged text editor, here’s how to get Microsoft Word for free. But don’t miss out on the other ways to get Microsoft Office for free!

2. Microsoft Office Mobile Apps

Microsoft Office is available for free on Android and iOS. The Office mobile app includes reduced but functional versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. How functional you find the Office mobile app comes down to the size of the screen you’re using.

For instance, editing a Word document on my OnePlus Nord is reasonable, but attempting to navigate an Excel spreadsheet is fiddly and frustrating. Conversely, editing a Word or Excel document on a larger, tablet-sized screen is actually quite enjoyable.

I’m still not convinced you’ll be running your company accounts from the Office mobile app, but it’ll certainly do in a pinch. Plus, it is another way you can use Microsoft Office for free. At least, a part of Microsoft Office.

Microsoft has changed its Office mobile app strategy a few times, switching between standalone and unified Office apps.

Android and iOS users can currently use a unified Office app that includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The Office app also includes Office Lens (the document scanning tool), a PDF conversion tool, instant file sharing between nearby devices, and image and data extraction from files and spreadsheets.

That said, the standalone versions of the apps are still available on Google Play and the App Store, meaning you can pick and choose the apps you want. The standalone Office apps also include OneDrive, Outlook, OneNote, and SharePoint, among others.

Download: Microsoft Office for Android | iOS

However, if you do want the standalone Microsoft Office apps to keep using Office for free that way, here are the links for Android devices:

  • Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • OneDrive
  • Outlook
  • OneNote
  • SharePoint

Furthermore, you can find the Microsoft Corporation App Store page here, including links to the various free Microsoft Office apps for iPhone and iPad.

3. Sign Up for the Microsoft 365 Trial

microsoft office 365 trial

Office 2019 introduced numerous changes across the suite. There was seemingly less to shout about when Microsoft Office 2021 came around. Still, if you haven’t already signed up to Office 2019 or Office 2021 elsewhere, you can give it a try before emptying your pockets. As such, you can take a free one-month Microsoft 365 trial.

The trial will grant you access to the full Microsoft Office 2021 suite. Also, you get 1TB OneDrive cloud storage and 60 minutes of Skype credits per month. Of course, there is a «catch.» You must provide a valid credit, debit, or PayPal account during the sign-up process. Microsoft will automatically charge your account once your trial expires.

Previously, there was a second free trial you could pick up for Office 365 ProPlus. However, since that service changed its name to Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, the free trial is unfortunately no longer available.

4. Buy Hardware With Microsoft Office Bundled

Microsoft Office rarely comes bundled with a new desktop or laptop. Unless it is a specific introductory deal, you’ll be purchasing Microsoft Office as an add-on. And if you’re building your own PC, well, you’re straight out of luck.

That said, these types of deals aren’t impossible—you just have to strike while the iron is hot. Unfortunately, that means you need a circumstantial trifecta: new hardware with a bundle deal, the money to take advantage of said deal, and the need to actually upgrade your hardware.

Here are three examples of laptops that include a free Microsoft Office license:

Acer Aspire One 14

The Acer Aspire One 14″ comes from Acer’s Cloudbook series, most of which feature a free one-year subscription to Microsoft 365. The Aspire One 14″ includes an Intel Celeron N3050 processor, 2GB RAM, and 32GB storage.

HP Stream 14

The HP Stream 14 is a smart, slimline laptop that features an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and includes a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription.

Asus L210

The Asus L210 is an ultra-thin 11.6″ laptop. It comes equipped with an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365.

5. Ask Your Employer or School

microsoft office free options education

Everything we’ve covered so far allows you to grab Microsoft Office for free but also comes with limitations: availability, functionality, and hardware. However, this penultimate option offers some of you a very good chance of acquiring a full version of Microsoft Office 2021 or Microsoft Office 365 completely free.

First, you’ll have to check in with your employer, or if you’re a student, your school. Many companies and schools can offer either a free or extremely low-cost Microsoft Office license for one reason: the people working or studying there need it. Businesses will have to pay, but bulk licenses may mean your employer can provide a free or cheap option.

Furthermore, Microsoft has long supported schools with free Office 365 Education packages. It might be that you have to ask directly.

6. Pester a Friend to Join Their Microsoft Family Account

Okay, so this option is perhaps the least feasible of all methods to grab a free Microsoft Office license. But, hear me out. Heaps of people share Netflix passwords, Amazon Prime passwords, Grammarly passwords, and so on. If your friend or family member has a free spot on their Microsoft Office Family account, maybe they’d let you slot your name in. Just make sure to ask nicely.

What About a Microsoft Office Lifetime License?

If a free Microsoft Office license doesn’t grab you, why not consider a Microsoft Office Lifetime License? Well, for one good reason: they don’t exist.

You might see websites advertising a Microsoft Office Lifetime License (you’ll even find this deal on some reputable tech sites!), but the reality is, once you click through the first page, you’ll end up on a product key site where you’ll likely purchase a Microsoft Office Volume key. Now, we haven’t gone out and done this ourselves, so cannot verify the claims, and furthermore, Office 2021 was only launched a year previous at the time of writing.

But one thing we do know is that product key sites are never clear where their miraculously cheap and incredible «Lifetime License» comes from, and we’ve seen more than a few volume keys revoked before. Buyers, be warned.

You Have Many Ways to Grab Microsoft Office for Free

Grabbing a full version of Microsoft Office for free isn’t possible for everyone. But you’ve got some excellent options, nonetheless. The free Office 365 trials grants you 30 days of Microsoft Office, and the mobile versions of Office allow you free use for as long as you want.

While the Office mobile apps are limited, they’re very functional, especially on larger screens.

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