Installing Office on a Windows PC can be done with official Microsoft tools and without paying anything at the time of download and installation. This is an excellent option if you're on a tight budget and don't have the money to buy a license for the latest version of Office.

What you'll need (no technical jargon)

For this method, Microsoft uses a free app called ODT (Office Deployment Tool), which is basically the official installer for downloading and installing Office 2021 in a controlled manner. Instead of clicking "Next, Next," here the "install button" is a text file that tells Windows which version of Office you want, in which language, and how it should be installed.

That file is called configuration.xml, and it contains the decisions: edition, language, 32/64 bits, and other options.

The good news: you don't need to be an expert, because you can copy an example, change two or three things, and you're done. It's also a good idea to check if you already have an older version of Office installed, because Microsoft recommends removing previous installations before installing Office LTSC 2021 (the basis of Office 2021 in this process). If you had an older version of Office, this prevents strange conflicts, errors, and duplicate components. How to download Office 2021 for free (files first) The first step is to download the Office Deployment Tool from the Microsoft Download Center, and Microsoft recommends always using the latest version. When you run it, it doesn't "install Office" yet: what it does is extract files to a folder, and there you'll find setup.exe and a sample configuration.xml file.

From here, there are two ways to do it (choose the one that suits you):

If you prefer Option B, the "trick" is to tell Windows: "download everything first." This uses a command that starts the download based on your configuration.xml (the same file that defines what you're going to install).

When the download finishes,Microsoft indicates that in the path you chose, you should see a folder called Office,inside which is another folder called Data, and another with the version number. Simply put: if you see these folders, it means the installers are already saved on your PC.

How to install it and what you should know to avoid mistakes?

With the files ready (or even if you chose to install directly from the internet), the next step is to start the installation from the setup.exe file using your configuration.xml. Microsoft describes this step as running the installation with a command that applies your configuration, and upon completion, returns to the command prompt.

A detail many people ask: "Can I install it on D: or another drive?" Microsoft clarifies that Office LTSC 2021 is installed on the system drive (usually C:) and that the location cannot be changed.

So, if your C drive is very full, it's worth freeing up space beforehand.

Another key point: choose the right 32-bit or 64-bit version from the start. Microsoft states that you can't mix 32-bit and 64-bit Office on the same device, so it's not something to just "try and see."

It's worth clarifying that if you have an older version of Office installed using the old method (MSI), Microsoft suggests uninstalling it first, and also mentions that there's an option called RemoveMSI in the XML file to remove MSI versions during the process. And if you have Office 2019 Click-to-Run, Microsoft indicates that the Remove element is used (not RemoveMSI).

Finally, to avoid any unrealistic expectations, Microsoft points out that Office LTSC 2021 no longer includes the Teams client.

It also explains that Skype for Business is not installed by default with these methods (ODT/OCT), unless you explicitly choose it in the settings. Following these steps, you can enjoy Office without having to pay for a license, which is ideal if you're a student and want to save some money without compromising your computer's security. Microsoft clarifies that Office LTSC 2021 installs on the system drive (usually C:) and that the location cannot be changed. So, if your C drive is very full, it's worth freeing up space beforehand. Another key point: choose the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version from the start. Microsoft indicates that you cannot mix 32-bit and 64-bit Office on the same device, so it's not something to just "try and see." It's worth noting that if you have an older version of Office installed using the old method (MSI), Microsoft suggests uninstalling it first. They also mention that there's an option called RemoveMSI in the XML file to remove MSI versions during the installation process. And if you have Office 2019 Click-to-Run, Microsoft indicates that the Remove element is used (not RemoveMSI). Finally, to avoid any unrealistic expectations,Microsoft points out that Office LTSC 2021 no longer includes the Teams client. It also explains that Skype for Business is not installed by default with these methods (ODT/OCT), unless you explicitly choose it in the settings. Following these steps, you can enjoy Office without having to pay for a license, which is ideal if you're a student and want to save some money without compromising your computer's security. Microsoft clarifies that Office LTSC 2021 installs on the system drive (usually C:) and that the location cannot be changed. So, if your C drive is very full, it's worth freeing up space beforehand. Another key point: choose the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version from the start. Microsoft indicates that you cannot mix 32-bit and 64-bit Office on the same device, so it's not something to just "try and see." It's worth noting that if you have an older version of Office installed using the old method (MSI), Microsoft suggests uninstalling it first. They also mention that there's an option called RemoveMSI in the XML file to remove MSI versions during the installation process. And if you have Office 2019 Click-to-Run, Microsoft indicates that the Remove element is used (not RemoveMSI). Finally, to avoid any unrealistic expectations, Microsoft points out that Office LTSC 2021 no longer includes the Teams client. It also explains that Skype for Business is not installed by default with these methods (ODT/OCT), unless you explicitly choose it in the settings. Following these steps, you can enjoy Office without having to pay for a license, which is ideal if you're a student and want to save some money without compromising your computer's security.Microsoft points out that Office LTSC 2021 no longer includes the Teams client. It also explains that Skype for Business is not installed by default with these methods (ODT/OCT), unless you explicitly choose it in the settings. Following these steps, you can enjoy Office without having to pay for a license, which is ideal if you're a student and want to save some money without compromising your computer's security.Microsoft points out that Office LTSC 2021 no longer includes the Teams client. It also explains that Skype for Business is not installed by default with these methods (ODT/OCT), unless you explicitly choose it in the settings. Following these steps, you can enjoy Office without having to pay for a license, which is ideal if you're a student and want to save some money without compromising your computer's security.