# Office 365 installation problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 4, 2017, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653 "2017-11-04T08:12:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/1 "2017-11-04T08:12:13Z")
I’m trying to install Office 365 with a product key. It seems to go fine, but then I get this message: Setup.X86.en-US\_…exe Failed - Network Error. All previous Office versions have been completely removed from this computer. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/2 "2017-11-04T09:11:52Z")
Are you trying to install it on a machine that is offline? It sounds like the product installer is trying to connect to a server either to authenticate or to download components, but is failing ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/3 "2017-11-04T23:10:00Z")
No, I was online. But here’s something strange: when I tried to install it today at [Setup Office or Microsoft 365](http://office.com/setup), it says it has already been installed. Where on my computer will I find this program? It’s not under “all apps.” Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/4 "2017-11-06T01:58:11Z")
You could try running the [uninstall tool](https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Uninstall-Office-from-a-PC-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8), rebooting, and then reinstalling. This sometimes helps (but sometimes it’s just a huge pain). ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/5 "2017-11-07T03:45:50Z")
Thanks, Number. I did that once, but I’ll do it again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![edwardcoast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cab0a1/32.png) [@edwardcoast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardcoast)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/6 "2017-11-07T05:00:00Z")
> [@Number](#): > > You could try running the [uninstall tool](https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Uninstall-Office-from-a-PC-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8), rebooting, and then reinstalling. > > This sometimes helps (but sometimes it’s just a huge pain). I would uninstall it, reboot, and install Open Office which is a free replacement for Microsoft Office: [http://www.openoffice.org/](http://www.openoffice.org/) Open Office is open-source and works on Windows, Mac and Linux, and it is always free including free updates. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/7 "2017-11-07T05:17:58Z")
[LibreOffice](https://www.libreoffice.org/) is another alternative; works fine. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/8 "2017-11-07T11:14:35Z")
> [@Newtosite](#): > > No, I was online. > > But here’s something strange: when I tried to install it today > at [Setup Microsoft 365](http://office.com/setup), it says it has already been installed. Sorry to have to ask what is potentially an insulting question… was your key legitimately purchased? ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2017, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-365-installation-problem/800653/9 "2017-11-09T09:34:28Z")
Yes, Mangetout, I paid good money for it! I didn’t want to take any chances on it not working.