Software downloads

Benefits
32-bit or 64-bit
Download instructions
Contact support
Troubleshoot
Remove files

Benefits of downloadable software

There are many benefits to downloading your software:

It's convenient and environmentally friendly
You don't have to wait for your software to ship
A backup of your software and your product key are available online for you to access anytime, whether your computer crashes or you want to reinstall your software
Returns are easier because there is nothing for you to send back
Software files are delivered directly to your computer over the Internet using state-of-the-art technology

32-bit or 64-bit

Determine whether you need 32- or 64-bit software:

If you are using Windows XP

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, look for the System type:
32-bit computers will show "x86"

64-bit computers will show "x64"

If you are using Windows 7 or Windows Vista

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
Under the System section, look for the System type: 32-bit Operating System or 64-bit Operating System
To learn more about 32- and 64-bit, see What's the difference between 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows.

Download and install your software

Office

Sign in to your Microsoft Store account using your Windows Live ID and password.
In the right-hand menu, click Downloads, Product Keys, and Subscriptions.
On the Downloads, Product Keys, and Subscriptions page, find the Office product that you purchased. Select the 32-bit download option and click Download.
In the download dialog box, click Run
Note: If you click Save, your downloaded software files are saved to the following default location:

C:\Users\<your name>\Downloads\
When the download has finished, click Install in the installation window.
Follow the instructions in the installation wizard.

Windows

Sign in to your Microsoft Store account using your Windows Live ID and password.
In the right-hand menu, click Downloads, Product Keys, and Subscriptions.
On the Downloads, Product Keys and Subscriptions page, find the Windows product that you purchased. Select the download option (32-bit or 64-bit) and file type EXE
Note: You should only choose the ISO file type if you want to install Windows 7 on a different computer than the one you are currently using.
Click Download file 1. In the download dialog box, click Save. IMPORTANT: You must download all three files to install Windows 7.
When file 1 has finished downloading, click Download file 2. In the download dialog box, click Save.
When file 2 has finished downloading, click Download file 3. In the download dialog box, click Save.
Note: Your downloaded software files are saved to the following default location: C:\Users\Downloads
When file 3 has finished downloading, click Run in the download dialog box.
In the installation window, click Install.
Follow the instructions in the installation wizard.

Other software downloads

You can use the instructions above to download and install other software products using the browser. Select your specific product from the Downloads, Product Keys, and Subscriptions page.

How to contact support

For Microsoft Store purchases and questions, visit Sales and Support. Before contacting Support, check the Troubleshooting section to see if your question has been answered.

Troubleshoot your download or installation

If you experience any issues while downloading or installing your software, you can check to see if your question has been answered below before contacting customer support.

Download Files and Save Location

What is the .box file extension?
The .box file extension is a compressed data format, similar to the commonly used zip file. The .box file contains one or more files that are reduced in file size.
Why is my software downloading so slowly?
There are many factors that could affect your download speed, including hardware issues or a poor Internet connection. If you are experiencing slower than usual downloads, contact your Internet service provider to try to diagnose the issue.
Where are my saved files?
Your downloaded software files are saved to the following default location:
C:\Users\<your name>\Downloads\
How long are my software files available to download?
Your software files will be available until Microsoft ends Mainstream Support for your product, which is typically five years after a product is released. For example, if you purchase Windows Vista or Office 2007, Microsoft Store makes them available for download until April 2012. You can still use these products after that date, but you won't be able to download the files again.

Download Manager

How does the Download Manager work?
The Download Manager is a software application that makes it easy for you to download software from the Microsoft Store. The Download Manager has many benefits:
- Software is downloaded faster than using a browser.
- You can resume your download if your Internet connection fails instead of having to start your download over again.
- You can pause and resume downloads.
- You can launch the installation of your software after it downloads.
What do I do if the download times out?
To resume your software download, you will need to log back in to your Microsoft Store account and select the file that you want to resume downloading. Progress will continue where you left off, you will not need to re-download the entire file.
What should I do if my download does not complete successfully using the Download Manager?
If you cannot use the Download Manager, try to download your software using the browser. If both download options do not work for you, contact Support.

Product Keys

Where do I enter my product key?

You will enter your product key during installation. Be sure to include the dashes (-), for example, XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.

ISO Files

What is an ISO file and why should I choose this file type?

An ISO file is one that contains all the installation files for your program. The ISO file makes backing up your installation files easy. You should only choose the ISO file type if you want to install Windows 7 on a different computer than the one you are currently using.

Remove installation files or uninstall software

Once you have installed your software, you can safely remove the installation files from your computer. Removing the installation files will not uninstall the program from your computer.

Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the software installation files.
The default location is:
Windows XP: My Documents/Downloads

Windows 7 or Windows Vista: Downloads
Delete the installation files.

You can uninstall software that you no longer want on your computer. If you later want to reinstall your software and the product is still covered by Mainstream Support, you can download the installation files again from your Microsoft Store account.