All students and employees of Cornell University have access to the web-based Microsoft 365, which can be used from any computer and does not require downloading or installing any software. When possible, we recommend that customers use Microsoft 365 Online Apps in preference to desktop-based software.

You may be able to use Microsoft 365 on a personally-owned computer, depending on your University affiliation status and the Microsoft 365 license currently assigned to you. Please see our Microsoft 365 ProPlus for Faculty and Staff article for more information, including an explanation of which of the two types of license you've been assigned.

Please note that Weill Cornell Medical College has its own arrangement with Microsoft, and is not covered by the Campus Agreement. Weill Cornell staff and faculty should check with Weill Information Technology & Services or their local Weill IT providers for more information.

Microsoft 365 on Cornell-owned Devices for Faculty and Staff

If you require the advanced features of desktop-based Microsoft 365 software on your Cornell-owned computer, please work with your department's local IT support provider. They should be able to deliver Microsoft 365 under either Named-User or Per Device licensing, as appropriate to your University affiliation status and your University business needs.

Please check with your local department's IT support provider before attempting to install Microsoft software onto your Cornell-provided computer. Your department may have different recommendations.

Microsoft 365 Desktop Options

Microsoft 365 Desktop software installation requires eligibility for an A3 Named-User license, no matter the edition, type, or deployment method. Under the current campus agreement with Microsoft, Cornell’s install or deployment options for 365 Desktop software include:

1. Microsoft 365 Install (per User or per Device)
   1. Available through Endpoint Management Tools for managed devices
2. Microsoft 365 Volume License Install 

Two Microsoft 365 Install (Deployment) Methods: per User or per Device

• Per User Install – 365 per user is installed on the device.  It is not activated and does not function until a user with 365 A3 license eligibility signs in.
• Per Device Install – 365 per device is installed on the device.  It is activated and functions without sign-in regardless of the user having an 365 license.  HOWEVER, the user must be eligible for an 365 A3 License.

TSPs can deploy per User Install or per Device Install of 365 through Endpoint Management Tools to managed devices. The TSP should evaluate which version to install for each device.

Microsoft 365 Volume License Editions

Microsoft 365 Desktop software installation requires eligibility for an A3 Named-User license, no matter the edition or type.

The volume licensed Microsoft 365 Professional Plus Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) is designed for use cases where the key requirements are that (1) the computer is not assigned to a specific individual and (2) the functionality and features don’t change over time. Examples include medical systems (such as those used for MRI and CAT scans), industrial process controllers, and air traffic control devices. These devices share characteristics of embedded systems: they are typically designed for a specific purpose and are developed, tested, and certified before use. They are treated as a whole system and are, therefore, commonly “upgraded” by building and validating a new system, turning off the old device, and replacing it with the new, certified device.

Available versions of the Volume-Licensed editions of Microsoft 365 are:

• Microsoft 365 LTSC Professional Plus 2024
• Microsoft 365 LTSC Standard for Mac 2024
• Microsoft 365 LTSC Professional Plus 2021
• Microsoft 365 LTSC Standard for Mac 2021
• Microsoft 365 Professional Plus 2019
• Microsoft 365 2019 for Mac Standard  

Download the Volume License Edition of Microsoft 365 for Institution-Owned Computers

Whenever possible, we recommend delivering 365 ProPlus to Cornell-owned computers, either under Named-User licensing or Per-Device licensing. Microsoft no longer provides a universal MSI installer for the Volume-Licensed editions of Microsoft 365. Instead, we'll need to work with your department to configure a custom click-to-run installer via the Microsoft 365 Deployment Tool. Please fill out the CU Software Licensing Request form for more information about delivering an appropriate volume-licensed LTSC edition of Microsoft 365.

Please see Microsoft's Deploy Microsoft 365 LTSC 2021 article for more information about deploying the Volume-Licensed edition of Microsoft 365 LTSC 2021.

Product Activation

Our Microsoft 365 Professional Plus installers are configured to use the KMS automated activation system. Microsoft 365 should activate automatically as soon as your machine connects to the Internet via an on-campus local area network or the Cornell VPN. All Cornell local area networks provided by CIT, and most networks provided by local IT providers are configured for KMS. If you are on a local area network that isn't configured for KMS, you can activate via KMS manually. 

If you need to activate Microsoft 365 Professional Plus on a computer that cannot connect to our KMS server, such as for a computer that will not be connected to the Internet, please fill out the CU Software Licensing Request form to request an MAK product key. Please include the reason why KMS isn’t appropriate for your situation.

Other Microsoft 365 Licensing Programs

Cornell staff and faculty have access to other licensing options other than the Campus Agreement site license. Please see Microsoft 365 Licensing for Faculty and Staff for a listing of other licensing options.