Some new PCs include a 30-day trial of Microsoft 365. After 30 days, the apps go into "reduced functionality mode" (you can view but not edit documents). You must subscribe or buy a license to continue.

If you’ve just purchased a new laptop or built a PC and installed Windows 11 Home, you might open the Start menu expecting to see familiar productivity tools like Microsoft Word and Excel. After all, Windows and Office have gone hand-in-hand for decades.

Windows 11 Home does not include Microsoft Excel or Word as part of the operating system.

For most home users, the free web versions or Google Docs will handle 80% of tasks. For anyone who lives in spreadsheets or documents daily, the subscription is well worth the investment. Just don't expect to open the Start menu on a fresh Windows 11 Home PC and find Excel waiting for you—it won't be there.

Before you buy a new Windows 11 Home PC, check the product listing carefully. Some retailers bundle a 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription, but it's never free or permanent. Budget accordingly: expect to spend $0–$150 extra depending on your needs.

Older versions like Office 2010 are no longer supported and may not install or run properly on Windows 11 Home. Security patches have stopped, making them risky.

However, the long answer is more nuanced. While you won't find the full desktop versions of these applications pre-installed, you have several legitimate ways to get them—some free, some paid. This article explains exactly what you get out of the box, your options for adding Office apps, and how to avoid common pitfalls. When you first set up a new Windows 11 Home PC, you will find a set of built-in apps. These are designed for basic tasks but are not Microsoft Word or Excel.