Microsoft 365 Apps: Windows

Microsoft 365 Apps for Education is free for all active GCU students! This copy of Microsoft 365 includes products like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel: essential programs for succeeding in your educational goals. Below is a video and a step-by-step walk-through to help you locate and install the software.

Pre-Install Checklist

Check for previous versions of Microsoft 365 installed on your device. Click here for instructions on how to check if Microsoft 365 is already installed on your device.

Determine the Operating System you will be installing Microsoft 365 on. See below for Microsoft 365 Compatibility.

Be sure to have 15-30 minutes to complete the installation process.

Downloading and Installing Microsoft 365 Apps

To begin, log into your Microsoft 365 Portal. You can log in at https://m365.cloud.microsoft/apps/ with your GCU student email account; the password is the same one used for your Student Portal.

When signing in, make sure to add @my.gcu.edu to the username you use to access your Student Portal.

Once logged in, click Apps in the bottom of the left-hand sidebar.

Then, select Install apps. This brings up a small drop-down menu. Click Microsoft 365 Apps. Then, select Install Office.

NOTE If you have difficulty installing Microsoft 365 through portal.office.com, you can access the software installation page directly at https://portal.office.com/account#installs. Once on the software page click the orange Install Office button to start the installation.

You will then be directed to the Apps & devices page. Under the Office heading, select your preferred language and bit under the Version drop-down menu. To begin installation, click the orange Install Office button. If you don’t see these options, please contact GCU Technical Support so that they can check your Microsoft 365 license.

The installer will begin downloading. In Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox click OfficeSetup.exe located in the top right-hand side of the window. After opening the installer, click Yes to start the installation.

NOTE If you do not see the OfficeSetup.exe file, you will find it in the downloads section of your web browser or the downloads folder on your device.

Microsoft 365 will begin getting things ready to install. During the installation process, you can watch a short video to learn more about Microsoft 365.

NOTE Microsoft Teams is included in the download for Microsoft 365 Apps for Education. While you are able to log into Teams with your GCU email, GCU Tech Support does not provide support for Teams.

In order for the software to fully install, please remain connected to the Internet. Once the installation is finished, you do not have to be online for your programs to work. This step can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over 30 minutes depending on your computer hardware and Internet speed. Don’t be alarmed if it takes a little while; remember, you’re installing 9 programs!

NOTE Skype for Business is included in the download for Microsoft 365 Apps for Education, but GCU does not have the license for this product. Therefore, you will not be able to log into the program using your GCU credentials. If you would like to utilize Skype, we recommend downloading it for free through Skype.com or through your applicable app store.

NOTE Minimizing or clicking away from the installation window may cause the window to disappear from your screen. If you are unable to locate your installation window, it may be located in your Hidden Icons, which can be found in the Taskbar.

When you receive the message, You’re all set! The Microsoft 365 and Office apps are installed on your computer, choose Close.

Activating Microsoft 365 Apps

After installing Microsoft 365, locate and open a Microsoft 365 app, such as Word, on your computer. Click Accept to agree to the Microsoft 365 License Agreement.

You will be prompted to sign in. Enter your student email address, which is your username followed my @my.gcu.edu, along with the same password you have set for the Student Portal. Once entered, click Sign in.

Upon successful login, your copy of Microsoft 365 will be activated and ready to use!

NOTE You may be asked to turn on the Intelligent Services feature when installing Microsoft 365. Intelligent Services are features help you improve your writing in Word and Outlook, analyze your data in Excel, and deliver dynamic presentations in PowerPoint. If you would like to allow this feature, select Turn On.

As a student, you are able to install Microsoft 365 on up to 5 computers. For more information about managing installations, please see the Microsoft 365 Apps FAQ. The full versions of all Microsoft 365 programs are available for you to use as long as you are an active student with scheduled classes at GCU, even when you aren’t connected to the Internet. Once you complete your degree program or are no longer taking classes, you will not have access to the full versions.

Also, if you encounter issues activating your Microsoft 365, please refer to Activating 365 and Switching Accounts for further guidance.

Microsoft 365 Compatibility

Microsoft 365 is not compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8. Microsoft 365 is only compatible with Windows 10 and 11. If you do not have a compatible version of Windows, it is recommended to use the online versions of Microsoft 365 apps that are available on the Student Portal. Instructions on how to use the online Microsoft 365 programs can be found in the Microsoft Online Programs in the GCU Portal article.

If you have an older version of Windows and would like to upgrade, you can click here for instructions from Microsoft.

GCU Technical Support does not assist with uninstalling or switching from any operating system. See Device Compatibility for information on incompatible devices.

Microsoft 365 Troubleshooting

Error Trying to Open the File

You might see the following error for some files downloaded from GCU websites:

Word experienced an error trying to open the file.
Try these suggestions.

Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
Make sure there is sufficient free memory and disk space.
Open the file with the Text Recovery converter.

To fix this issue, navigate to where the file is currently located on your computer. Right-click on the file and select properties.

In the properties dialogue, select the Unblock option and then try to open the file again.

No Credentials Error

If you receive the following error:

No credentials
The system requires that you sign on to a valid account. The error code is: 0xD000000C

Then you are trying to sign into Microsoft 365 Enterprise instead of Microsoft 365. Please uninstall Microsoft 365 and re-install Microsoft 365 using the steps in this article. If you have questions about uninstalling Microsoft 365, please refer to the Computer Troubleshooting article for steps to uninstall programs from your respective computer.

Issues Signing in or Out

If you receive an error when attempting to sign out of your Microsoft 365 applications or are unable to sign in, try following these steps:

Click the Start Menu and select Settings.
Then, select Accounts from the Windows Settings. Select Access work or school from the navigation menu on the left-hand side of the Settings window.
Select the Work or school account labelled with your @my.gcu.edu email address and select Disconnect.
Then, try signing in or out of your Microsoft 365 applications again.

If these steps do not resolve the issue you are experiencing, check out the other troubleshooting steps available for Microsoft 365 sign-in issues in the following article: Activating Microsoft 365 and Switching Accounts.

Error: "Word experienced an error trying to open the file"

NOTE Protected view helps keep your computer safe. Unless you need to download and edit a document for your course, it's recommended to not turn off protected view.

From inside Word, select File from the top left-hand corner of the screen.
Then, select Options from the bottom of the navigation menu.
Select Trust Center at the bottom of the list and click the Trust Center Settings button to open the Trust Center Settings window.
Finally, select Protected View from the settings list. Uncheck Enable Protected View for files originating from the internet and hit Okay.

Uninstalling Microsoft 365

If you need to uninstall Microsoft 365 from your computer, you can do so from the computer’s settings. For instructions on how to uninstall applications, check out the Uninstalling Programs and Applications section of the Computer Troubleshooting article.

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