Microsoft’s Office 365 enables you to install the latest full desktop version of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive for Business and Outlook, for devices like PCs, Macs and even Mobiles. -- so you can use all the features offline as well as online. You can download and install up to 5 PCs or Macs, and up to 5 tablets and phones per user. However you are required to be connected to the internet at least once every 30 days as a requirement for Microsoft's subscription-verification purposes.
System Requirements
Operating System |
Windows 10 |
Windows 11 | |
Computer and processor |
Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later version |
1 GHZ or faster x86 or 64-bit processor |
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Memory . |
1 GB RAM (32-bit) |
2 GB RAM (64-bit) recommended for graphics features, Outlook Instant Search, and certain advanced functionality | |
Disk space |
At least 3 Gigabytes available |
Monitor resolution |
1024 x 768 (Minimum Resolution) |
Browsers |
Windows Internet Explorer 9 or higher |
Mozilla Firefox 12 or higher | |
Apple Safari 5 or higher | |
Google Chrome 18 or higher |
Windows Installation
Method 1 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): Install Via Internet. Device is not connected to SMU network.
- Video Guide
- Step-by-Step Guide
- This installation method requires Internet access and will download and install the latest version available.
- Log in to your SMU account at https://live.smu.edu.sg.
- Click the Install Office icon at the right-hand side of the screen and select Office 365 apps.
- You will then see a yellow bar on at the lower portion of your browser. Click Run.
- From this point on wards, please do not turn off your computer and maintain your Internet connection until the installation finishes.
- While you may see Office pop-up welcome message (as shown below) as installation progresses, it does not mean that the application is ready for use.
- You will see a progress indicator as shown below.
**Note : If you've accidentally closed, or if you don't see the progress indicator above, click on the Office 365 icon located at the bottom right of the task bar. - The progress indicator and the task bar icon will close automatically once installation finishes. You may now start using Office 365.
Macintosh Installation
- Video Guide
- Step-by-Step Guide
Mobile Device Installation
- iOS
- Android
- Please follow the instructions below to install Office 365 for iOS device. iOS installation would require you to install each (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) of the applications individually.
- Open App Store.
- Use Microsoft Word as your keyword in searching for the application.
Note : Use "Microsoft Word", "Microsoft Excel", "Microsoft PowerPoint" and "Microsoft Outlook" as keyword in searching for the other Office 365 applications. - Tap Get / Install and wait for the application to finish installation.
- Tap Open when installation completes.
- You will be required to sign in on your initial use. Tap on Sign In.
- At the sign in prompt enter your SMU email and click Next.
- Choose Work account.
- You will be prompted for your password once more. Type in your SMU password and tap on Sign in.
- Swipe right and finish the introduction.
- You have now installed and activated your mobile Microsoft Office App. Tap on Create and Edit Documents to start using.
- You may do the same for the other Microsoft Office Applications that you wanted to install. The other available applications are PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
Note : For more information on Office 365 apps for iPhone click here.
- Please follow the instructions below to install Office 365 for your Android device. Android users has several options, you can install Microsoft office mobile (with Word, Excel and PowerPoint in one app) or install each (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) of the application individually.
- Open Play Store.
- Use Microsoft Office Mobile as your keyword in searching for the application.
- On the search results, tap on Microsoft Office Mobile.
- Tap on Install.
- Tap on Accept, to allow Office Mobile an access.
- Wait for the installation to finish.
- Tap Open when installation completes.
- You will be required to sign in on your initial use. Tap on Sign In.
- At the sign in prompt enter your SMU email and click Next.
- Choose Work account.
- You will be prompted for your password once more. Type in your SMU password and tap on Sign in.
- You have now installed and activated your mobile Microsoft Office App. Tap on next arrow to start using.
- Once logged in you will be prompted to install the other needed applications.
- You have now installed and activated your mobile Microsoft Office App.
- Alternatively, you can also install the following applications individually.
Note : Use "Microsoft Word", "Microsoft Excel", "Microsoft PowerPoint" and "Microsoft Outlook" as keyword in searching for the other Office 365 if you want to install the applications individually. For more information on Office 365 apps for Android click here.
Office Online
Office Online is a web version of the traditional Microsoft Office that we all know. Office Online can edit, open and create new documents, spreadsheets and presentations directly from your browser and save on OneDrive for Business.
- Offers the four core features of Microsoft Office namely, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Lightweight and no installation needed.
- Can be access from any browser even from mobile devices.

Alternatively you can also access Office Online from Microsoft's website, just follow the instructions below:
- On your browser, please go to http://www.office.com.
- Click any of the office Online Icons.
- You will be prompted to Sign in. Just choose sign in with school account.
- You will then see an Microsoft office interface that is similar to the desktop based Office.
- Enjoy Using
OneDrive for Business
IMPORTANT!!! OneDrive for Business cloud service is an extended service provided by Microsoft under our SMU campus-wide licence at no extra cost to our students. Until otherwise advised, its use is limited to the period when students are enrolled with SMU.
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OneDrive for Business is a free online storage that comes with your Office 365 account. You can use this as an additional storage from any of the devices that you use. When your files are saved in OneDrive for Business you’ll be able to access your files from any of your devices that has OneDrive for Business installed on it.
OneDrive for Business comes installed together with Office 365 package for both Windows and OSX. OneDrive for Business can accomodate 1 terabyte of storage per user and:
- Up to 10 gigabytes (GB) per file when using OneDrive for Business client!
- And up to 2 gigabytes (GB) per file for browser based access!
For instructions on how to install OneDrive for Business only, kindly follow instructions here; on the page please choose OneDrive for Business (as shown below) and click (plus sign) for 64 bit version and other languages.
If you want to access OneDrive for Business from a browser please click here.
To know more about OneDrive for Business, it’s usage and other information, please follow this getting started guide.
License Management
- License management is a tool to control where and how the Office 365 product is able to run. The information below will enable you not only to activate Office 365 but also to transfer an activated installation from one machine to another. For example,
- If you have a newly purchased machine and wanted to transfer your current Office 365 to this new unit, you will need to deactivate the license from your old machine and then install and activate it on your new machine.
- If you have installed Office 365 on a newly formatted machine, you will need to deactivate the previously installed Office 365 license.
- Activation
- Deactivation
Activation over the Internet is required the very first time a user runs Office 365.
There is no need connect to the Internet all the time to use Office 365, however, you must connect to the Internet at least once every 30 days in order to verify the status of your Office 365 subscription. Office 365 will degrade into reduced functionality mode if this is not done. Office 365 will be back to normal once you connect back to internet.
If you installed Office 365 using "Method 2: Within SMU Network (via WLAN-SMU)" (for Windows OS computer only), you will need to activate Office 365 using your SMU User ID and password.
Please follow the steps below:
- Open any Office 365 application, e.g. Microsoft Word.
- An activation screen will prompt, similar to the screen below will appear. Enter your email address and click next.
- Alternatively, you can click the Activate button at the Product notice to trigger the activation prompt (as shown in the picture below):
- You will then be asked if this is a personal Account or organizational Account. Choose Organization or School.
- Enter your password, then click Sign in.
- Once activated, you will see a notification below, Click OK.
If you wish to deactivate any of your activated licenses, please login to https://live.smu.edu.sg. Navigate to Office 365 settings and look for the computer name of the machine you want to deactivate (see picture below), then click the corresponding deactivate link beside it. Should you want to activate another, please follow the steps for activation outlined above.
Here's a more detailed steps:
- Log in to your webmail at https://live.smu.edu.sg.
- Click the settings icon beside your name at the upper right-hand side of the screen. Select Office 365 Settings.
- At the Office 365 settings, select Software, install and manage software.
- You will then see the information below. Click deactivate if you wish to deactivate any currently installed Office 365. Your devices will be identified based om their computer name.
- Once deactivated, you will see a product notice bar as shown in the picture below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers. Please refer to this FAQ if you have queries or trouble with your installation. Alternatively, you may email us at helpdesk@smu.edu.sg if you require further assistance.
Question |
Answer |
---|---|
Are there any differences in functionality between Office 365 and Office 2013? | No, there is no difference in functionality |
Can I install and activate Office 365 on my own? | Yes, just follow the instructions on this page. |
Can I install and activate Office 365 on top of Office 2010 or Office 2013? |
While this is possible, it would be advisable to uninstall any prior versions of office as only one version can be set as a default application. In addition, it is not possible to run different versions of Outlook simultaneously. |
Do I have to perform the Activation steps each time I install Office 365? | Yes. |
Do I need to be connected to Internet all the time while using Office 365? | No. You do not need to be connected to the Internet to use Office 365. However, you must connect to the Internet at least once every 30 days for your subscription verification by Microsoft. Office 365 will degrade to a reduced functionality mode if you fail to do so. |
How many copies of Office 365 can I install and use at the same time? |
You can install and activate a maximum total of 5 copies of Office 365. |
Can I open files that are created using an older version of Office? | Yes you can. |
Can I continue to use Office 365 even after I leave SMU? |
No. Your Office 365 will be deactivated by SMU when you leave SMU. |
I installed Office 365 for my Android and iOS devices, but why it is not reflecting on Office 365 Settings page ? |
As of the moment there is NO feature to show activations from mobile devices yet. Microsoft is still working on adding this feature. |
Why do I kept getting this error on my Android, after activation?
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This is a known issue of Office 365 to some Android devices. Microsoft is still working on how to fix this. As a workaround, ignore the the message then restart the application. Office 365 should work properly after that. |
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