How to Install Just Word and Excel Without the Full Office Suite

Many people only need Word and Excel for their work. They don’t use PowerPoint or Access. Installing the entire Microsoft Office suite can feel like a waste of disk space and money. The good news is you have options for getting just the applications you need.

This guide shows you how to install only Microsoft Word and Excel on your computer.

The Official Method: Custom Install with Microsoft 365

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can choose which applications to install. The installer lets you pick only Word and Excel.

Here is how to do a custom installation:

1. Go to Microsoft’s official website and sign in to your account.
2. Go to your account dashboard and select “Install Office.”
3. Run the downloaded installer. A new window will open.
4. Look for “Installation Options” or a similar link. This is usually not the default setting.
5. Click on the dropdown menu for each application you don’t want. For PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, select “Not Available.”
6. Only leave “Word” and “Excel” set to “Run from My Computer.”
7. Click “Install Now.” The installer will only download and set up Word and Excel on your PC.

This is the cleanest method if you already pay for Microsoft 365. You get genuine, full-featured desktop apps without the extra software.

Using the Free Web-Only Versions

If you don’t need advanced features, you can use Word and Excel directly in your web browser. This doesn’t require any installation.

• Go to the Office.com website.
• Sign in with your free Microsoft account.
• You will see icons for Word and Excel. Click on them to start a new document.

These web versions are capable for basic to intermediate tasks. They automatically save your work to OneDrive. This method gives you access to a capable online document editor and a full-featured excel online tool without using any space on your hard drive.

What If You Don’t Have a Microsoft 365 Subscription?

The custom install only works for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you bought a one-time copy of Office 2021 or 2019, you cannot choose individual apps. The standard installer will always include the entire suite.

In this case, you have two choices:

1. Install the Full Suite: You can install all the programs and simply ignore the ones you don’t need. This is the simplest solution if disk space isn’t a major concern.
2. Use a Different Office Suite: Many free office suites allow you to install just a word processor and spreadsheet program. These are often highly compatible with Microsoft’s file formats.

Comparison of Methods for Getting Word and Excel

Important Considerations:

A Warning About Unofficial “Lite” Installers

You might find websites offering modified or “lite” versions of Microsoft Office that only include Word and Excel. You should avoid these.

These are often illegal, cracked versions of the software. They can contain malware, viruses, or spyware. They are also unstable and may corrupt your documents. It is much safer to use official methods or legitimate free alternatives.

Managing Your Current Installation

If you already have the full Office suite installed, you can remove the programs you don’t use.

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and go to “Programs and Features.”
2. Find “Microsoft Office” in the list of installed programs.
3. Right-click on it and choose “Change.”
4. In the window that opens, select “Add or Remove Features” and click Continue.
5. You can then expand the Microsoft Office tree and set applications like PowerPoint to “Not Available.” This will uninstall them while keeping Word and Excel Online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I buy just Word and Excel from Microsoft?

No, Microsoft does not sell Word and Excel as standalone products to general consumers. They are only available as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription or a one-time purchase of the Office suite.

Are the free online versions of Word and Excel good enough?

For most users, yes. The free online versions handle basic writing, formatting, calculations, and charts very well. The main limitations are very advanced features, like complex macros in Excel, which require the desktop app.

What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Word and Excel?

There are several excellent free office suites. These packages include a word processor and a spreadsheet program that can open and save Microsoft’s .docx and .xlsx files. They are a great way to get the two applications you need without any cost.

Final Recommendation

Getting only Word and Excel is straightforward if you know your options.

• If you have Microsoft 365, use the custom install feature during setup.
• If you don’t want to pay, use the free web versions at Office.com for your basic editing needs.
• If you need a permanent desktop solution without a subscription, consider a free alternative office suite.

You don’t have to install software you’ll never use. By choosing the right method, you can save disk space and simplify your workflow with just the tools you need.