Best way to buy MS Office?

Will Graham

Please explain it to me like I'm five. I'm thinking of finally getting MS office again, and I'm about to buy a new laptop. So I'm wondering if I can get MS on both my old and new laptop? Can I get this on both of them? I'm currently using Libre Office and I occasionally use a not so good pirate version of MS that someone put on my PC for the last few years. I'm just wondering if there might be a complication to having used the pirate version, or will everything transfer over fine? The pirate MS outlook app worked fine for a while but recently it's messed up my emails… some send some don't, etc.

Also, what's the best way to buy MS Office? I'd prefer to pay a one off fee and have it forever. I don't understand how people pay a monthly fee… it's clearly more in the long run.

Thanks

ItHurtsWhenIP

I remember the one-off licenses were pretty expensive (€200-€300) and that was for a single install.

Yes, the subscription model is a pain, but you have a constantly up-to-date version of the app.

The cheapest I know of is you can get the legit copy for €69 per year as an individual though the Microsoft Store. You'll need to be signed in with a Microsoft account. You can then install Office on up to 4, I think, other devices (5 in total). You just need to be signed into the same MS account on those devices.

Will Graham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122720210#Comment_122720210

I remember when I was in college they put MS on my laptop. But when I needed a new hard drive I was told that I wouldn't be able to get it transferred over. Will UI have the same issue if, at some point in the future I need to change a hard drive?

What if I just want Word and Outlook, and nothing else? I suppose that doesn't make it cheaper?

ItHurtsWhenIP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122720219#Comment_122720219

It's the whole package I'm afraid. I've not seen an option for the individual apps anywhere.

The Microsoft Store is an app on Windows 10 and 11, so just do a search for "Store" and it'll show up … This is the Win 10 version:

It's a poorer experience than the App or Play stores, but if you search for Office 365, you should be able to get the license and commence the install from the Store. You will need to be signed in with a Microsoft Account though, as that is what the license gets assigned to, so create one beforehand if you don't already have one. You can set it up on a Gmail account or other email account if you want … it doesn't have to be an Outlook or Live account.

On your other devices, then go the the Store, be signed in with your Microsoft account and when you look for Office 365, it should just be an "install" option, rather than "buy".

Sconsey

I think that if you have a Microsoft account you can use the web versions of the core Office apps for free. That might be good enough depending on how you want to use Office.

Will Graham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122720302#Comment_122720302

Does that mean you're dependent on having WiFi?

Sconsey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122720823#Comment_122720823

Yes you would need internet access at all times, you use it in the browser.

Will Graham

Silly question, but you can still have a windows operating system without having MS office? I checked and I have windows 10 home, version 22H2. It says it was installed on 11/‎10/‎2021 which was the day I got a new hard drive. And I have an email address associated with my account.

This option didn't seem to show up on the app store. It says Office Home is €149! So a lot cheaper than €200-300.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/store/cart?country=IE&culture=en-ie&rtc=1

Another stupid question, what is the advantage of having the most up to date version of the app? As in if still had the version from 10 years ago, would it still work away find even if it's not supported?

ItHurtsWhenIP

You can see there, I searched for "office 365" and "Microsoft 365 Personal" showed up for €69.

Office Home was new to me. That's the standalone install alright.

The idea behind staying updated, is really about getting the newer features and capabilities when they come out. If you're not interested in those then get yourself the standalone version. Microsoft are good for maintaining compatibility back through much older versions, so it is unlikely that other people won't be able to open up any files you produce.

Will Graham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721966#Comment_122721966

I see… but can you not search for the €149 option home option I came across?

Sid 1984

I've used these for a while with no issues at all.

You do need a MS account, download Office 2019 or 2021 for a stand alone, no need for 365

https://www.productkeys.ie/productcategory/software/microsoft-office/

(I can't post links for some reason)

extra-ordinary_

Search for how to install Office LTSC

ItHurtsWhenIP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723788#Comment_122723788

Some of the prices on that site make me suspect it may not be legit.

ItHurtsWhenIP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723769#Comment_122723769

When I searched on Microsoft Store, it doesn't show up.

For some reason I can't access the Microsoft site you linked to right now, but I presume you can purchase the key for Office Home from it and download the package.

Sid 1984

Well over a dozen installs of Windows & Office with no issues activating via official Microsoft channel

allybhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723883#Comment_122723883

100% legit. Have purchased off them multiple times, grand if you just want a standalone office install and not fussed about latest updates such as the new version of outlook etc (which is crap). Have also purchased win10 and win11 keys from them, worked perfect every time

millb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122721966#Comment_122721966

69€ per year ;-)

mondeoman72

I understand and agree with everything here. I get free 365 as part of an organisation but hate it. I like to cut and paste, not this CTRL V CTRL C lark. Any way around it?

Guffy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122728606#Comment_122728606

CTRL X

Will Graham

Okay so I bought MS home for €149 and this is what's happening when I go to open it:

Then this appears, bizarrely with the option of "enter a product key instead" even though that's just what I did

And then I get this?

I know the email registered with MS but I apparently have a password. I never remember entering one. How can I find this out?

extra-ordinary_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122850528#Comment_122850528

Select the forgotten password link and you will either authenticate by previously nominated phone number or email address.