Technical Guide

    Office 2021 System Requirements

    Complete hardware and software specifications for Windows and Mac

    Last updated: December 20248 min read

    Before You Install

    Microsoft Office 2021 is a perpetual license version that offers a one-time purchase option. Before installing, ensure your computer meets these requirements for optimal performance. This guide covers both minimum and recommended specifications for Windows and macOS.

    Windows System Requirements

    Requirements for Office 2021 on Windows 10 and 11

    Important

    Office 2021 requires Windows 10 or Windows 11. It is NOT compatible with Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1.

    Minimum Requirements

    • Processor

      1.6 GHz, 2-core processor

    • RAM

      4 GB (64-bit) / 2 GB (32-bit)

    • Storage

      4 GB available disk space

    • Display

      1280 x 768 screen resolution

    • Graphics

      DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 2.0

    • Operating System

      Windows 10 version 1803 or later

    Recommended Requirements

    • Processor

      2.0 GHz or faster, multi-core processor

    • RAM

      8 GB or more

    • Storage

      10 GB available (SSD preferred)

    • Display

      1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution

    • Graphics

      DirectX 12 compatible with 2 GB VRAM

    • Operating System

      Windows 11 (latest version)

    Mac System Requirements

    Requirements for Office 2021 on macOS

    Apple Silicon Support

    Office 2021 runs natively on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) Macs for optimal performance. Intel-based Macs are also fully supported.

    macOS Requirements

    • Operating System

      macOS Mojave (10.14) or later

    • Processor

      Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)

    • RAM

      4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)

    • Storage

      10 GB available disk space (HFS+ or APFS)

    • Display

      1280 x 800 screen resolution

    • Browser

      Safari, Chrome, or Firefox (latest)

    For Best Experience

    • macOS Ventura or Sonoma
    • Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later)
    • 16 GB RAM for large documents
    • SSD storage for faster performance

    Browser Requirements

    For Office Online features and add-ins

    Some Office 2021 features require a modern web browser:

    BrowserVersionSupported
    Microsoft EdgeLatest version
    Google ChromeLatest version
    Mozilla FirefoxLatest version
    SafariLatest version (Mac only)
    Internet ExplorerAny version

    Windows Version Compatibility

    Office 2021 support by Windows version

    Windows VersionSupportedNotes
    Windows 11Full support
    Windows 10 (1803+)Full support
    Windows 10 (older)Update required
    Windows 8.1Not supported
    Windows 8Not supported
    Windows 7Not supported

    32-bit vs 64-bit Office

    Choose the right version for your needs

    Aspect32-bit64-bitBest
    RAM UsageLimited to ~2 GB per appUses full system RAM
    64-bit
    Large FilesMay crash with files >2 GBHandles files up to 4 GB+
    64-bit
    Excel WorkbooksLimited to smaller datasetsBetter for big data
    64-bit
    Add-in CompatibilityLegacy add-ins workSome old add-ins may fail
    32-bit
    Recommended ForLegacy systems, old add-insModern systems, power users
    64-bit

    Microsoft recommends 64-bit Office for most users. Only choose 32-bit if you rely on legacy add-ins.

    Network Requirements

    Internet connectivity needs

    Installation

    Internet required for download and initial setup

    Required

    Activation

    One-time internet connection to activate your license

    Required

    Daily Use

    Internet NOT required after activation

    Not Required

    Updates

    Internet required to download security updates

    Required

    Minimum 1 Mbps broadband recommended for installation

    How to Check Your System

    Verify your computer meets the requirements

    Windows

    1. 1Press Windows + I to open Settings
    2. 2Click on 'System'
    3. 3Select 'About' from the left menu
    4. 4View your processor, RAM, and system type (32/64-bit)
    5. 5Check 'Windows specifications' for your version

    Mac

    1. 1Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
    2. 2Select 'About This Mac'
    3. 3View your macOS version, processor, and memory
    4. 4Click 'More Info' for additional details
    5. 5Check 'Storage' tab for available disk space

    Performance Optimization Tips

    Get the best experience from Office 2021

    Use an SSD

    Solid-state drives significantly improve Office startup and file loading times.

    Keep 20% Disk Free

    Office needs space for temporary files and virtual memory.

    Update Regularly

    Install Windows and Office updates for best performance and security.

    Manage Add-ins

    Disable unused add-ins to speed up Office startup.

    Upgrade RAM

    8 GB or more RAM helps when working with multiple documents.

    Close Background Apps

    Free up system resources by closing unnecessary programs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Related Office 2021 Guides

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