Microsoft PowerPoint is a program included in the Microsoft Office suite of products that offers the opportunity to create a slide-based content presentation. You can download and install it on your computer at the same time you install Microsoft Office. A "lighter" version of PowerPoint, therefore with limited functionality, is also available for compatible iOS and Android devices.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Download PowerPoint
Step 1. Visit the Microsoft Office suite product website
To do this, use this link. This web page offers the possibility to subscribe to the purchase of different Microsoft Office versions for both Windows and MacOS systems. PowerPoint is obviously included in all the Office packages offered.
Step 2. Choose the option to purchase the version of Office you prefer
You can decide to purchase the version for private users, to be used on a single computer or on multiple systems, by paying an annual or monthly fee.
- Alternatively, you can press the "Try" button to have access to a free 30-day trial period. At the end of the trial period, the monthly subscription fee will be automatically charged to the credit card linked to your Microsoft account.
- Go to the Microsoft Office download page using this link. If you have already purchased Microsoft Office, you will be asked to enter your product key consisting of 25 alphanumeric characters. The "Product key" was provided to you in the confirmation email you received when purchasing Microsoft Office.
Step 3. Log in using your Microsoft account and password
You must be signed in to your Microsoft account to be able to download the PowerPoint installation file.
If you don't have a Microsoft account yet, select the option to create one and follow the relevant instructions
Step 4. Press the "Install" button, then choose the option to save the Microsoft Office installation file on your computer
Step 5. After the download is complete, double-click the installation file
This will launch the installation wizard, which will guide you through the process of setting up Office and PowerPoint on your computer.
Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Microsoft Office on your computer
PowerPoint will be installed on your system automatically, as it is an integral part of the Microsoft Office suite of products.
Step 7. At the end of the installation procedure, go to the "Start" menu
Step 8. Perform a search using the keyword "PowerPoint", then select its icon from the results list that appears
At this point you are ready to create as many presentations as you want.
Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting
Step 1. If you have access to all Microsoft Office products except PowerPoint, repeat the installation procedure
PowerPoint is included by default in all versions of Microsoft Office, but it is not always automatically installed during the Microsoft Office installation process.
Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the Microsoft Office installation, then double-click the "Setup.exe" file. At this point, follow the instructions of the wizard to proceed with the installation of PowerPoint
Step 2. If your Office installation is stuck at 94%, try restarting your computer
This is a known issue that occurs when downloading and installing the product from the web.
Step 3. Try to repair the Microsoft Office installation, if the installation process gets stuck at any progress rate
This way the existing configuration problems between Windows and Microsoft Office should be resolved.
- Access the "Control Panel" and select the "Programs and Features" item.
- Select the PowerPoint icon located inside the "Uninstall or change a program" window.
- Select the "Edit" option, choose the "Restore online" item, then press the "Restore" button.
Step 4. Stop the computer's print spooler from running if the Office installation hangs at 80 to 90 percent progress
This type of problem is often caused by the Windows Print Spooler service.
- Go to the "Start" menu, then type the keyword "services.msc" into the search field.
- Select the "Print Spooler" service with a double click of the mouse, then press the "Stop" button located inside the window that appears.
- At this point, press the "OK" button and try to reinstall Office.
- When the installation is complete, access the "Services" window again to restore normal print spooler operation.
- Select the "Print Spooler" service with a double click of the mouse, press the "Start" button located inside the window that appears and finally press the "OK" button.
Step 5. Update your computer's operating system or some hardware if you experience problems while installing Office on Windows XP or Windows Vista systems
Microsoft Office has long since ceased support for these two operating systems, so the cause of the problem could be a software incompatibility.
Step 6. If nothing happens when you press the "Install" button, try disabling all extensions and plug-ins installed on your browser
In some cases, these programs can adversely interfere with the Office installation process.
Advice
- You can download PowerPoint to any iOS mobile device using the following iTunes link. If you are using an Android device, use this link from the Google Play Store instead. The PowerPoint app allows you to view presentations created in this format directly on a mobile device and completely free of charge. Also, if you've subscribed to one of the Office products, you can use the same app to edit an existing presentation or create a new one.
- If you are not planning to purchase or install the entire suite of Office products, you can consider using free software, such as Apache's OpenOffice or Google Slides. These two products are available to everyone, they are completely free and offer very similar functionality to PowerPoint.
