- What is the ITS tag on your device? This is a sticker with a number on it that can be found on your computer.
- What exact problem are you having? Please describe the behavior in as much detail as possible, including providing screenshots.
- If you know, please include what version of Microsoft Office are you upgrading from.
- If you are having a problem with a specific file, kindly attach it to your e-mail so we can review. Please be wary of attachment size restrictions."
What are the system requirements for Microsoft 365?
Computer and processor
Windows OS: 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core. 2 GHz or greater recommended for Skype for Business
macOS: Intel processor
Memory
Windows OS: 4 GB RAM; 2 GB RAM (32-bit)
macOS: 4 GB RAM
Hard disk
Windows OS: 4 GB of available disk space
macOS: 10 GB of available disk space; HFS+ hard disk format (also known as macOS Extended) or APFS Updates may require additional storage over time.
Display
Windows OS: 1280 x 768 screen resolution (32-bit requires hardware acceleration for 4K and higher)
macOS: 1280 x 800 screen resolution
Graphics
Windows OS: Graphics hardware acceleration requires DirectX 9 or later, with WDDM 2.0 or higher for Windows 10 (or WDDM 1.3 or higher for Windows 10 Fall Creators Update). Skype for Business requires DirectX 9 or later, 128 MB graphics memory, and 32-bits-per-pixel-capable format.
macOS: No graphics requirements.
Operating system
Windows OS: Windows 10 SAC, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2016. Please note Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise will be supported on Windows Server 2016 through October 2025.
macOS: One of the three most recent versions of macOS. When a new version of macOS is released, the macOS requirement becomes one of the then-current three most recent versions: the new version of macOS and the previous two versions.
For the best experience, use the most current build of any operating system specified above. Product functionality and feature availability may vary on older systems (Search Lifecycle Policy).
Browser
The current version of Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. Get more details.
.NET version
Windows OS: Some features may require .NET 3.5 or 4.6 and higher to also be installed. Microsoft Teams requires 4.6 or higher.
Other
Video calls & meetings:
For a better experience with video calls and online meetings, we recommend using a computer that has a 2.0 GHz processor and 4.0 GB RAM (or higher). The optional Blur my background video effect requires a processor with Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2) support. See Hardware decoder and encoder driver recommendations for a list of unsupported decoders and encoders.
Teams requires a USB 2.0 video camera, a microphone, and an audio-output device in order to utilize its full range of calling and meeting features.
Teams live events:
If you are producing a Teams live events, we recommend using a computer that has a Core i5 Kaby Lake processor, 4.0 GB RAM (or higher) and hardware encoder. See Hardware decoder and encoder driver recommendations for a list of unsupported decoders and encoders.
Is the Microsoft 365 application package available to everyone?
The Microsoft 365 package is available to ITS tagged and managed computers, with the following exceptions and special cases:
- If you already have the most up-to-date version of Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365, Office 365, Office 2019) you do not need to upgrade and may not see the package available.
- Users running Analysis for Excel 32-bit (version 2.4 – 2.8) will not see the application package due to compatibility issues we are currently addressing. More information will be provided to these users once a solution is in place.
- Users running older versions of macOS should ensure they’re on a compatible operating system before upgrading. See our FAQ page for more details.
- Project and Visio users will receive another email from ITS explaining the re-licensing and installation process for these applications.
- Users with macros will receive another email from ITS about macro compatibility and assistance to ensure they will continue functioning under Microsoft 365.
My computer is on campus and I can't get to it to install the O365 package. What do I do?
When you eventually turn on your computer and it checks in with the network, you'll be able to install the Microsoft 365 package. If you turn on your computer before 10/13, you can download the application on a voluntary basis. If you turn on your computer after 10/13, you'll see a pop-up message alerting you that the application is going to download and install automatically.
Is there a big difference between the version of Word/Outlook/Excel I use now and the one I’m getting with Office 365?
It depends on the version you are using. There is not a huge difference between 2016, which most people at WCM use, and Microsoft 365. However, if you use 2013, 2010 or below, you may notice some changes to the user interface and functions, especially the ribbon.
How do I know which version of an Office application I am running?
Open any Office application, such as Word and create a new document.
For example, go to Word and choose About Word.
In the dialog box that opens, you can see the version number as well as the license type. In the example below, the version number is 16.18 and the license is a one-time purchase of Office 2019 for Mac.
How long does the installation take?
Typically the installation takes between 30-90 minutes. However, older devices may experience a significantly longer installation time.
Will I be able to use my computer during the installation process?
Yes, with the exception of Office applications. Those will have to be closed out before you begin the installation of Microsoft 365. During the installation, you computer's performance may be a bit slower than usual. We recommend installing the update at the end of your work day.
Will I receive the Office 365 applications update on my phone?
If you have auto-updates enabled for your iPhone or Android, you will receive the latest versions of the Microsoft 365 applications per your settings.
Can I download the Microsoft 365 package on my computer at home?
Yes, if you are using a non-tagged computer at home, you have the option of downloading the new application package directly from Microsoft.
Please keep in mind that you can install Microsoft 365 Apps on up to five different computers with a single Office 365 license (i.e. your WCM CWID is tied to your O365 license). For example, you can have Microsoft 365 Apps installed on a computer in the office, on a laptop to use when traveling, and on a home computer. You can also install it on up to 5 tablets and 5 phones. If you reach your 5 computer limit and try to install Microsoft 365 on another computer, the system will de-allocate the oldest device on your list. You can also go to your O365 account settings and manage the allocated devices, and remove older ones if needed.
More info: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/about-microsoft-365-apps
Do I have to do anything to get ready for the installation?
Before you install you should close any open Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Excel, Word etc. Otherwise, the installation won't work.
I use an Office application that isn’t listed on the Applications page as being included in the package. Can I still use it?
There are some Office applications, like Publisher and SharePoint Workspace, that have been discontinued by Microsoft. They will not be re-installed as part of the O365 application update.
I have Project and/or Visio installed on my computer. How do I get the new Microsoft 365 versions of these apps?
Project and Visio are not included in the base Microsoft 365 application package; you will need to request a new license and install the newest versions separately.
How do I download and install Microsoft 365 Project?
1. Install the Microsoft Office 365 package that is available to you in the WCM app store. When you install this app package it will automatically uninstall any older versions of Project and other Office applications you have on your computer. You can find the Microsoft Office 365 package in the WCM App Store.
2. Download and install Project via the WCM App Store.
3. Request a license for Microsoft 365 Project using the Microsoft Project Request Form. If you had an earlier version of Project already installed on your computer, you still need to request a license to use the 365 version. While you can download the application without a license, you won’t be able to use it until the license is provisioned.
How do I download and install Microsoft 365 Visio?
1. Install the Microsoft Office 365 package that is available to you in the WCM App Store. When you install this app package it will automatically uninstall any older versions of Visio and other Office applications you have on your computer. You can find the Microsoft Office 365 package in the WCM App Store.
2. Download and install Visio via the WCM App store.
3. Request a license for Microsoft 365 Visio using the Microsoft Visio Request Form. If you had an earlier version of Visio already installed on your computer, you still need to request a license to use the 365 version. While you can download the application without a license, you won’t be able to use it until the license is provisioned.
4. You must close all Office applications (Ex: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and including those on the task tray, like OneNote or Skype for Business) before starting the Visio installation.
I have a version of Project or Visio that I got from On-the-Hub. Can I install it on my work computer?
No, software you buy on On-the-Hub is strictly limited to home use. If you need a Visio or Project license for your work needs, please request a license by visiting myHelpdesk.weill.cornell.edu and clicking Request something.
I use customized macros in one or more of my Office apps, like Excel or Access. Will they still work on the 365 version?
If you use customized macros in one of your Office applications (e.g. Excel, Access), they may not function properly when you install the new Microsoft 365 application package.
What do you need to do?
You may need to rewrite your macros to ensure they are compatible with the Microsoft 365 versions of Office applications. If you’d like assistance, please email us at OfficeUpgradeFeedback@med.cornell.edu. We may ask you to provide a copy of the document with the macros so that we can help you rewrite them.
To ensure this assistance can be provided before the upgrade deadline, we ask you submit your macros no later than September 18th.
What if I have old macros that I don’t want to migrate?
If your macros are not essential to your documents, you can upgrade to the new version of Microsoft 365 at your convenience.
I installed the Microsoft 365 package and now I see two versions of OneNote. Where did my OneNote notebooks go?
After you install the Microsoft 365 package, you may see two versions of OneNote on your computer. The application named "OneNote for Windows 10" (or just OneNote or OneNote Light) is an online-only application and the notebooks will likely be empty. The app named OneNote 2016 opens locally and online, and this one will have your data in it.
I got an error message that says "something went wrong" when I opened Outlook after I installed the 365 package. What do I do?
Selecting the “Managed Device” option during the upgrade may cause an error message to appear that says “Something went wrong” when you attempt to launch an application post-install. Just click Done and proceed.
