Issue/Question
- What version of Office should I install?
Environment
- Oregon State University
- Microsoft 365
- Office, Office 365
Resolution
For single-user computers, whether university-owned or personal devices, Office 365 is our preferred version to install.
Benefits of Office 365:
- No upgrades needed, ever: IT will never have to push out a new version of Office 365. Customers will always have the latest features and updates, as well as security updates and bug fixes.
- Install on multiple devices: customers can self-install on all of their devices, including university-owned and personal devices, sign in on up to 5 devices at a time, and remove devices they no longer use.
- Easy to install: Simply visit office365.com and sign in as username@oregonstate.edu. Installation is quick and easy.
- Publisher and Access included for PC users.
Reasons to install Office 2021 instead:
- Shared computers: lab computer, classroom computer, checkout computer, department loaner, student worker shared computer.
- Field or instrument computers: computers that will be off the network for a while or are never on the network. Office 365 requires an Internet connection every 30 days to renew its license. Office 2021 requires a VPN connection to OSU every 180 days to check in with the license server (this is the same time frame for Windows license activation).
- Student employee computer: Student employees may have trouble setting up Outlook with Office 365 because they have to sign in to Office 365 as username@oregonstate.edu, but sign in to the computer and Outlook as se-username@oregonstate.edu.
Should I upgrade to Office 2021?
- The best option is to install Office 365 (see above).
- If your computer is on Office 2016 or Office 2019, you should upgrade to at least Office 2021; Office 365 is preferred.
- There are no features in Office 2021 that are newer than Office 365. Office 365 will always have the latest features.
Assistance
For assistance, contact the Service Desk.