What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based productivity suite. With your free subscription, you can download Microsoft Office on your own device.
Who is eligible?
- Currently enrolled VIU students
- Active VIU employees
These instructions are intended for personal devices only. These instructions will not work on VIU computers as they already include Office.
Microsoft 365 apps are provided as a courtesy to students and employees. The IT Service Desk does not provide support for the installation of Office on personal devices.
How do I download Office for free?
I'm a currently enrolled student
VIU students have access to the Microsoft 365 for Students portal for a free copy of Microsoft 365. Once you have a VIU email address, you can visit the Microsoft 365 Student portal to set up your student account and claim your copy of Office.
Step 1: Set up Your "Stumail" Virtual Email Address
In order to proceed, you will need to first create a "Stumail" virtual email address. This is an @stumail.viu.ca address that will automatically forwarded all messages to the email address you have on file in your student record.
Follow this link for instructions on setting up your Stumail virtual email address
Step 2: Sign up for Microsoft 365 Student
Please ensure your Stumail virtual email address is working before attempting to sign up for Microsoft 365 Student. Your VIU email will be used to send you a confirmation code during the sign up process and you cannot complete the application without that code.
- Go to the Microsoft 365 Education website linked here
- Enter your Stumail virtual email address (xxxxx@stumail.viu.ca) in the box and click on Get started.
- Click on the "I'm a student" option
- You will see a confirmation screen and receive an email to the email address we have on file in your student record with further instructions. If you have not yet received a code you can click the resend signup code link to send a new one. Please bear in mind that if there is a slight delay from Microsoft sending you your code you may end up getting two verification code emails. You will always want to use the newest code.
Step 3: Download and Install Office
Tip: Before installing Office you may want to make sure you do not have any other versions of Office installed. Even trial versions of Office that come pre-loaded on some new laptops can cause licensing problems when you install Microsoft 365.
- Log in to the Microsoft 365 Portal with your @stumail.viu.ca account you created.
- Select Install Office > Microsoft 365 apps > Run , and then select Yes.
- This will download the Office 365 installer to the default location you have configured within your browser. Follow the instructions shown on the screen or find the install file starting with Setup.X86.en-us_O365ProPlusRetail in your downloads folder and run it.
- Make sure to stay online during the install process as the installer automatically downloads and updates the files needed for your new copy of Office 365 and then activates it online. This will take several minutes.
Step 4: Log in to Activate Office
- Once Office is installed, open Word.
- When prompted, log in using your @stumail.viu.ca account and password.
Note:
Students who use the Microsoft 365 Portal to download Microsoft 365 apps to their personal device(s) should note:
- All students should register using their @stumail.viu.ca email address. If a student is in a programs (ABT for example) that temporarily provides an email in the format <student_number>@viu.ca, they should NOT use this email address to download Microsoft Office to a personal device. The student should use their @stumail.viu.ca address. Ignoring this warning could result in Microsoft Office stopping to function on your personal device.
- The use of "other" Microsoft 365 "features and applications" that appear in the Microsoft 365 portal should NOT be used at this time as these services are not fully configured. These applications may disappear from the portal at any time and any data loaded into them would be lost.
- Students should be aware if they elect to store files in Microsoft OneDrive, that data is currently stored in the United States. A notice will be posted when this changes.
I'm an active VIU employee
Tip: Before installing Office you may want to make sure you do not have any other versions of Office installed. Even trial versions of Office that come pre-loaded on some new laptops can cause licensing problems when you install Microsoft 365 apps
Step 1: Login to the Microsoft 365 Portal
- Log in to the Microsoft 365 Portal with your VIU email address and VIU computer account password.
Step 2: Download and Install Office
- Select Install Office > Microsoft 365 apps > Run , and then select Yes.
- This will download the Office 365 installer to the default location you have configured within your browser. Follow the instructions shown on the screen or find the install file starting with Setup.X86.en-us_O365ProPlusRetail in your downloads folder and run it.
- Make sure to stay online during the install process as the installer automatically downloads and updates the files needed for your new copy of Office 365 and then activates it online. This will take several minutes.
Step 3: Log in to Activate Office
- Once Office is installed, open Word.
- When prompted, log in using your VIU email address and VIU computer account password.
Note:
- Microsoft 365 apps cannot be installed on VIU issued computers. Software installation is managed through other means. Please contact ithelp@viu.ca to request additional software.
- Employees should be aware that if they elect to store files on Microsoft OneDrive, that data is now stored in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements?
Minimum requirements as of April 2021
- Windows 8.1 or macOS 10.13.6 High Sierra
- Chomebooks are NOT supported (but the web versions of the Office apps can be used at office.com)
- 1.6GHz Dual Core Processor
- 4GB RAM
Microsoft 365 and Office Resources
Where can I find help installing Microsoft 365?