Microsoft Project for Desktop download

Sofia Terekhova 0 Reputation points
2026-11-06T09:00:19.2833333+00:00

Hi,

My colleague has a license Planner and Project Plan 3 and activated Desktop Client for Project Online App in Microsoft admin. However, the App does not appear for download following the instructions on this page https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/project/install-project. Could you please help us solve the issue?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For business | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-11-06T09:01:12.01+00:00

    Use this checklist to isolate why Project is missing from the install portal for a user with Planner and Project Plan 3:

    1. Confirm the device is supported The Project desktop client is installed only on Windows PCs. If the user is on Mac or another non-Windows device, the Project install option will not appear.
    2. Verify the license is assigned and active In the Microsoft 365 admin center:
      • Go to Users > Active users.
      • Select the user.
      • Check that Planner and Project Plan 3 is assigned.
      • In Licenses and Apps, make sure the Project Online Desktop Client service is turned On.
      • If it was just enabled, wait a few minutes, then have the user sign out and sign back in.
    3. Check the correct install location For licensed users, the documented install path is: A user must be a local administrator on the device to complete the installation.
    4. If Project is still missing under Apps & devices If Project does not appear there, that usually means the account does not have a usable Project license in the portal. Recheck the assigned license and service state.
    5. If the organization uses centralized deployment Some organizations do not allow direct user installs and deploy Project through the Office Deployment Tool, Intune, Configuration Manager, or similar tools. In that case, the user will not get a download option and IT must deploy it.
    6. If this is a new assignment There can be a delay after initial sign-in or license changes before install options appear. Signing out and back in can help refresh the portal.
    7. If the issue continues Run the Microsoft 365 setup troubleshooter on a Windows 10 or later PC, then restart the computer if prompted.

    Also note: Project Online will be retired on September 30, 2026. The desktop client is included with the Project Online Professional or Premium licensing path and can connect to Project Online until retirement.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Alina Le 5,805 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-06T10:05:35.4833333+00:00

    Hello Sofia Terekhova

    Since the user already has a Planner and Project Plan 3 license assigned and the Project Online Desktop Client service has been enabled, I would like to confirm a few points to better understand the issue.

    1/ Could the user sign in to Microsoft 365 and check whether Project appears under "Apps & devices"?

    https://portal.office.com/account/?ref=Harmony#subscriptions?

    User's image

    2/ Was the Project Online Desktop Client service enabled recently?

    -> If so, please ask the user to sign out of Microsoft 365 and wait up to 24 hours before signing back in, as license changes may take some time to propagate.

    3/ Could you also confirm whether other users in the organization who have the same Planner and Project Plan 3 license can see and download Project from Apps & devices?

    -> This will help determine whether the issue is user-specific or affecting multiple users.

    If Project is still not available, you can sefl double check or share screenshots of:

    • The assigned license (Planner and Project Plan 3)
    • The Licenses and apps section showing "Project Online Desktop Client enabled"
    • The "Apps & devices" page where the install option is expected.

    Looking forward to hearing from you!

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