I need to find a working download link for Microsoft 365 Legacy MacBook

Question

I have a MacBook Pro that I'm trying to install Microsoft 365 on and it tells me it has to have at least MacOS13.

My MacBook is only upgradable to Monterey 12.7.6. I know there is a legacy link or something that will allow you to install this but every thing I have found so far has been incorrect.

Does anyone have a working link for legacy MacBook Microsoft 365?

Answer 1

Hello !

The latest version of Office that works for macOS Monterey is the 16.88.

You can download it here : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac
It's the one from August 13, 2024.

You can get Office with or without Teams. Download the installer, launch it, follow the steps to install Office. Once the installation is done, launch any app and log in with your Microsoft account.
You should be good to go !

Please let me know if you have any other question !

Answer 2

There is no separate public “legacy download link” for Microsoft 365 on older Macs. Instead, install Microsoft 365/Office for Mac normally, and the subscription can activate the most recent Office version that still supports macOS 12.7.6.

For older Macs, the recommended approach is:

1. Use the standard Microsoft 365 install flow for Mac
   • Sign in with the Microsoft account or work/school account that has the Microsoft 365 subscription at https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps.
   • From the Microsoft 365 Apps page, select Install apps to download the Mac installer.
   • On the Mac, open Finder → Downloads and double-click Microsoft Office installer.pkg.
   • Follow the installer steps to complete installation.
2. If the latest build will not install because of OS version
   • The subscription still allows activation of an older Office for Mac build that supports Monterey.
   • Guidance from Microsoft Q&A points to using “Most Recent Office You Can Run – Best Practices” to download, install, and activate the last supported Office 16.88.x build for macOS 12.
   • After installing that build, run Help → Check for Updates once to move to the final 16.88.1 version; AutoUpdate does not need to remain enabled because there are no further updates for that branch.
3. If the download or install fails
   • Confirm the Mac meets the Office for Mac system requirements using the System requirements for Office and macOS requirements for Microsoft 365 for Mac or Office 2019 for Mac new updates pages linked from the troubleshooting article.
   • If the download stops at the same size every time, delete the installer from Downloads, then use Safari to download again.
   • If installation or activation still fails, use the steps in What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac, or contact Microsoft support from that article.

There is no need for a special “legacy” subscription; the existing Microsoft 365 subscription can activate the last Office for Mac version that supports macOS 12.7.6 using the method described in the “Most Recent Office You Can Run – Best Practices” guidance referenced in the Q&A posts.

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References:

• Download, install, or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 on a PC or Mac
• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac
• MS Office on my 2014 MacBook - Microsoft Q&A
• Cannot install Microsoft 365 because my os is too old - Microsoft Q&A
• Office running on OS 12.7.6 - Microsoft Q&A