When I try to install office apps, copilot opens

Dear @Carlee Quigg,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum.

I understand that you're having trouble installing Office apps, and it seems like you're running into some confusion with the recent changes. Starting in January 2025, Microsoft officially rebranded the "Microsoft 365 (Office) app" to the "Microsoft 365 Copilot app".

The app you're opening now isn't a separate AI tool, it’s just the new container Microsoft uses for all Office apps. The icon and name have changed to “Microsoft 365 Copilot” across all platforms. Even if you don't have a paid Copilot subscription, this is now the central hub where you access your Office apps.

• The installer now redirects you to m365.cloud.microsoft, which is the new unified domain for all Office activities.
• Although the app might look like a chat interface (because of its Copilot branding), it’s still your starting place for finding, creating, and sharing your files.

How to Find Your Office Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint):

• Open the Copilot app that keeps appearing on your device.
• Look for the "Apps" icon on the left-hand sidebar or at the bottom of the Copilot interface.
• From there, you’ll be able to find the familiar Word, Excel, and PowerPoint shortcuts.
• If you still prefer the classic desktop versions of Word and Excel (the ones that run without needing a browser), you can find the “Install Apps” button located in the top-right corner of the dashboard in the Copilot app. This will allow you to install the traditional desktop apps if you’d like.

The change was introduced to reflect the integration of Copilot, but I completely understand how this might make it feel like the traditional Office suite has disappeared. It’s a big shift, and the interface may take some getting used to.

For reference: The Microsoft 365 app transition to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app - Microsoft Support

I hope this helps clarify things for you. Since these changes are part of a broader evolution of the Microsoft 365 product, I highly encourage you to share your experience directly with the Microsoft product team. Your feedback can have a real impact on future updates and improvements.

You can visit the Ideas · Community to submit a new idea or vote on existing one. Our product team is in charge of the site, and they constantly check customer reviews and feedback. The higher votes, the more attention the related team will pay, and a lot of the features are developed and improved based on customer feedback. As a moderator, I will also pass along your feedback to the appropriate team for further consideration. While I don't directly influence product design, user feedback is actively reviewed and helps prioritize future development. I appreciate your kindness and understanding as we deal with these evolutionary product changes. Please get in touch if you need anything else. I wish you all the best.

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The “Install Apps” button located in the top-right corner of the dashboard in the Copilot app does not lead to any download and install option of Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook (classic) and Publisher. Travelling and working at very rural places sometimes make it impossible to use Microsoft365 apps online only; there is no alternative option to use an offline version of the apps. Please provide a working download option! Thank you.