Installing Office 2021 from a Windows 11 Local Account

Topic

New Reply

I have a new Windows 11 Home PC (22H2 Build 22621.2861) setup with a Local Account only, and I don’t want that to change. I would like to install Office 2021 Home and Student. I have a Microsoft Account that I can use to purchase the software license.

Purchasing the software from Microsoft requires me to login to my Microsoft Account to associate the license with my Microsoft Account. This is a web login, and I use Chrome as my browser. Using my Microsoft Account, I expect to be able to download and install Office 2021 Home and Student (via the web from https://setup.office.com). Finally, I will need to activate the license by launching one of the Office applications to login to Office with my Microsoft Account (this is an Office login).

I’m looking for clarification on a couple of points. Will the purchase and activation of Office 2021 Home and Student change my Local Account in any way, convert my local account to a Microsoft Account, or add a new Microsoft Account to my Windows 11 PC? My understanding here is that this should not be the case?

I assume that I should logout of my Microsoft Account via the web (Chrome) once the installation and activation of the software has completed, but what about the Office applications themselves? Can I leave myself logged into Office with my Microsoft credentials? Is there any risk or disadvantage to this? Since it will be necessary to update Office, can I update Office if I’m not logged into Office with my Microsoft credentials?

Thanks for the help!

Reply | Quote

Replies

Log in to the PC with your Local ID. You do not have to create a Microsoft Account on your PC or log in to the PC with an MS ID.

One thing I would caution you about is One Drive. If you don’t want your files automatically stored on One Drive, you should educate yourself on how to keep your files on your PC. People have been surprised that their files are no longer stored/available on their PC.

Updates to C2R versions of Office are not handled through Windows Update, but update independently.

3 users thanked author for this post.

windbg, Franki, SteveIT

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the tip on OneDrive PKCano.  One of the first things I did was disable OneDrive in Startup Apps on the new PC (I do not have a OneDrive cloud icon in my taskbar).

I have done some research re OneDrive and Office, but will continue.  So far for Office, it looks like I’ll want to customize the Save experience in each of the Apps once they’re installed, tweaking a number of settings (Backstage, etc.), including the following:

• AutoSave OneDrive (disable)
• Show additional places for saving, even if sign-in required (disable)
• Save to Computer by default (enable)

In addition, I should turn off all Connected Experiences under Options, General, Privacy Settings.

I have no desire to use OneDrive, and create regular drive images with Macrium Reflect.

1 user thanked author for this post.

windbg

Reply | Quote

[opti1]

@ SteveIT – In case you aren’t aware and in case it might affect your decision to purchase Office 2021 there are signs Office 2024 may appear later this year.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 3 months ago by opti1.

2 users thanked author for this post.

windbg, SteveIT

Reply | Quote

Thanks Opti1.  I did notice that Office 2024 currently has an expected Q2 2024 release date.  I’ll keep it in mind, but might be just as happy with an older stable product than a brand new release from Microsoft.  I only need basic Office functionality, and the latest features will do little for me.

1 user thanked author for this post.

windbg

Reply | Quote

PKCano wrote:

One thing I would caution you about is One Drive. If you don’t want your files automatically stored on One Drive, you should educate yourself on how to keep your files on your PC. People have been surprised that their files are no longer stored/available on their PC.

PKCano – Does this apply to Office 2021, or to Windows 11, or both? And does it apply to Windows 10 as well?

Thanks.

Reply | Quote

It doesn’t have to do with Win10/11. It has everything to do with MS Office.

1 user thanked author for this post.

opti1

Reply | Quote