I have a Windows 10 Pro laptop that has never been online and I intend to keep it that way. I'm looking to install Microsoft Office on it but I'm not sure of the best method since I've been out of the loop for a while. Any advice?
5 Answers
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to run Office without an online component, especially with newer versions relying on cloud and online account activations. LibreOffice might be your safest bet to avoid these issues.
Activating Office can be a real challenge on offline machines, particularly with versions 2021 and newer. They typically require a Microsoft account. The older versions, like 2019, can be activated with a product key. Make sure you're aware of these requirements before you go ahead.
You can absolutely install Office 2024 offline without any internet connection. If your laptop is fully airgapped, I’d recommend getting a modified ISO that already has updates included. Just check out this link: https://basewin.pl/o2024.1.
If you're looking for a hassle-free experience, consider using LibreOffice instead. It works great and is fully offline, plus it's free! It might cover all your needs without the complications of installing traditional Office.
To install Office on your offline laptop, you can use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) on another computer to download the installation files. Once downloaded, transfer them to your offline machine and install from there. You might want to check out this guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/deploy/overview-office-deployment-tool.

Isn't it a bit tricky with retail versions though, especially with all the account requirements?