A family of Microsoft word processing software products for creating web, email, and print documents.
Hello Sindi Boore,
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A.
If your class requires Word 2021 specifically, here is what you need to know.
Step 1: Check Which Version You Have
- Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
- Select File, then choose Account.
- Look under Product Information:
- If it says Office LTSC 2021 or Office Home & Student 2021, you already have Word 2021.
- If it says Microsoft 365, you have the subscription version, which is newer than Word 2021.
Step 2: How to Get Word 2021
If you do not have Word 2021 and your class requires it, you have two main options:
- Option 1: Purchase Office 2021
Word 2021 is included in Office Home & Student 2021 or Office Professional 2021. These are one-time purchase products, not subscriptions. You can buy them from the official Microsoft Store or from authorized retailers.
After purchase, you will receive a product key and a link to download the installer. Install the software by signing in with your Microsoft account and entering the product key at https://setup.office.com.
- Option 2: Check for Education Discounts
Many schools provide Microsoft 365 Education or Office 2021 licenses for free or at a discount. You can check your eligibility by visiting the Microsoft Education page https://www.microsoft.com/education and entering your school email address. If eligible, follow the instructions to download and install the software.
Notes:
- Microsoft 365 always includes the latest version of Word, which is newer than Word 2021. If your instructor only cares about features, Microsoft 365 is usually acceptable. If your instructor insists on Word 2021 specifically, you will need to purchase the standalone Office 2021 license.
I hope this helps clarify things.
Best regards,
Thomas
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