School access

Question

I am supposed to have access to Microsoft Office through my university, but my operating system is too old. Can I use it online somewhere?

Answer 1

If your device is too old to support the desktop version, you can always go to https://www.office.com and click on Apps to access the web version.

The web version will not work with locally stored files though. You will need to upload them online/to your OneDrive account via school and open files that way.

Answer 2

Yes. If the computer is too old to install the desktop apps, Office can still be used in a web browser.

Use one of these options:

1. Go to the Office web portal
   • Browse to www.office.com.
   • Select Sign in in the upper-right corner.
   • Sign in with the university-provided Microsoft 365 work or school account (for example, ******@university.edu).
   • Click Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or other app icons to use the lightweight web versions directly in the browser.
2. If eligible for Microsoft 365 Education
   • If the university participates in Microsoft 365 Education, sign up or confirm access using the school email address at Get Office 365 for free.
   • After verification, sign in at www.office.com with the same school account to use Office online.

If the operating system is too old for the desktop apps, using Office Online in the browser is the supported alternative.

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References:

• Troubleshoot installing Office
• Get started in your browser
• Get started with Office for the web in Microsoft 365
• What is my user ID and why do I need it for Office 365 for business?
• Use Microsoft 365 on your Windows RT device
• How can students get a free Microsoft 365 subscription? - Microsoft Q&A

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