FAQs for Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise


OVERVIEW

Target audience: Students, faculty, and staff.

Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise is the full suite of Microsoft applications, both installed and online versions. It is available to all McGill registered students, faculty, and staff. For details, please see the Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise service description.

If the service description or the following FAQs do not answer your questions, please contact the IT Service Desk.

FAQs about installing and accessing Microsoft 365 apps

FAQs about features of Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise


FAQs about installing and accessing Microsoft 365 apps

How can I get Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise software?

Registered McGill students, faculty, and staff can download the software suite from the Microsoft 365 portal. Use your McGill Username to sign in; you will be redirected to McGill's authentication page to enter your McGill password.

Once in the Microsoft 365 portal, click the Install Apps drop down in the top-right section of the page, then select Microsoft 365 apps and follow the instructions in the pop-up window.

See the following links to obtain the mobile versions from the Microsoft site:

What are the system requirements?

Operating systemSystem requirements
WindowsRequirements for Microsoft 365 apps
Mac
  • A Mac computer with an Intel or M1 (Apple Chip) processor
  • Office 365 supports the three most recent versions of Mac OS X
  • 4 GB of RAM recommended
  • 10 GB available hard disk space
  • HFS+ hard disk format (also known as macOS Extended) or APFS
  • 1280 x 800 or higher resolution monitor
  • The current or immediately previous version of Internet Explorer; the current version of Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox
  • Installation requires a connection to the Internet, a local area network (if installing over a network), or a DVD Drive
iOS

The two most recent versions of iOS support Office for iPad® and iPhone®

Android tablet or phoneOffice for Android can be installed on tablets and phones that are running any of the supported versions of Android and have an ARM-based or Intel x86 processor. Support is limited to only the last four major versions of Android. 
Windows tablet or phone Microsoft Mobile applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook Mail, and Outlook Calendar) require Windows 10.

Find more details on the System requirement for Microsoft 365 on the Microsoft Support site.

How many devices can I install it on?

You can install Microsoft 365 on up to five computers (PC or Mac) or five tablets (iPad or Windows). Office mobile applications are also accessible on iPhone and Android phones and are automatically included with all Windows phones.

What if I use up my five allotted installs?

In the Microsoft 365 portal, you can deactivate existing Office installations (e.g., on computers you re-imaged or are no longer using). See Managing activated installations for more information on licensing.

To manage your installations:

    1. Click on the user’s account management icon (top right circle with initials or photo) in the Microsoft Office 365 portal.
    2. Click Display account.
    3. Click the Peripheral button to view which peripherals are using a license and disable one or more pieces of equipment to reclaim licenses to be used elsewhere.

Can I install Microsoft 365 apps on my McGill workstation?

You should check with your departmental IT administrator before installing Microsoft 365 apps or any other apps on a McGill-owned computer. If you need to upgrade the Office applications on your work computer, please contact your departmental IT administrator or administrative assistant.

Can I install Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise on my family's computer or share it with a friend?

No. You can only install Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise on your personal computers, tablets, and phones. Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise is provided using a subscription model that checks with McGill's active directory to ensure you are authorized to use it. If you install it on someone else's computer, you will violate the Policy on the Responsible Use of McGill IT Resources because you would be sharing your personal credentials (McGill Username and Password) with other individuals.

Do I need to be connected to the Internet to use Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise?

No. You can use Microsoft 365 applications offline; however, you need to be connected to the Internet the first time you run one of the Microsoft 365 apps to complete the "Activation" process. After that, you only have to connect to the Internet at least once every 30 days to check the subscription status. If your computer is offline for more than 30 days, Microsoft 365 enters Reduced Functionality mode until the next time you connect to the Internet.

What is Reduced Functionality mode?

In Reduced Functionality mode, you can open, view and print your existing Office files, but you can’t use most of the other features of Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise. You will not be able to install new instances of Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, and you will not be able to create, save, or edit files.

What happens when I leave McGill? Will I still be able to use the Microsoft 365 applications?

For students: There is a six-month grace period after you graduate or leave the University; once that time is up, the software will enter a state of reduced functionality.

For faculty and staff members: When you leave the University, you are given a one-month grace period, after which your Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise license expires, and the software enters a state of reduced functionality (read-only mode). However, an exception is made for non-retiring teaching faculty, who will be given a 12-month grace period to cover the time between academic appointments.

You will be notified by email approximately one month before the license expires.

I'm currently between jobs at McGill, and my status has changed in Banner. Will I lose access to the Microsoft 365 applications?

Due to the licensing agreement with Microsoft, only active, salaried McGill faculty and staff and retired Professors Emeriti are eligible to use Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise. Therefore, you will lose your access temporarily if you lose that eligibility status in Banner. You will regain access to the software when you are appointed to another position within McGill.

I'm a registered McGill student but I can't download the software. What's going on?

If you just recently registered, you may have to wait up to 24 hours before you can download the software. If after 24 hours you still cannot download the software, please contact the IT Service Desk.

If I recently purchased Microsoft 365 and will now also be eligible for Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, will I receive any credit or compensation?

No. However, depending on which consumer version of Microsoft 365 you purchased, it may come with additional features that you may find beneficial.


FAQs about features of Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise

What’s included/not included?

The following apps are available on the supported operating systems:

 WordPowerPointOneNoteExcelAccessPublisherOutlookTeamsSkype for BusinessInfoPath
PC

Mac   
iOS and Android tablets*     
iPhone**    
Android phones**    

*Mobile-optimized versions of apps

**Mobile versions of apps. Skype for Business is a separate download.

Note: Additional features of Microsoft 365 may be made available in the future; see Microsoft 365 @ McGill on the IT Services website for details.

Can I use OneDrive with my Microsoft 365 apps?

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud file storage component of Microsoft 365 and is available to students, faculty, and staff members with active McGill credentials (first.last@mail.mcgill.ca). Your Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise applications allow you to save files to OneDrive and access them directly from the cloud or your local drive (if it is synced to McGill's OneDrive in the cloud).

IMPORTANT: New OneDrive storage capacity 

On May 31st, 2024, OneDrive storage capacity for all students was adjusted to 20GB to comply with Microsoft’s new Storage quota for its educational sector clients.

To verify your current storage, follow the instructions in this article: How to check file storage usage in OneDrive.

To reduce your storage, empty the recycle bin, remove shared items and application installers, and move older, unused files and large files such as videos, PowerPoint presentations or picture libraries, off your OneDrive, to another location. 

More details about this initiative can be found in this announcement on the ITS website.

warning

WARNING:

If you also have a OneDrive personal account, we advise using it with a non-McGill email address (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). Your McGill email address should be used to sign into McGill's OneDrive for Business account.

Can I use add-ins, such as Grammarly, with the Microsoft 365 apps?

The Add-in store is not available; however, you may be able to obtain the plug-ins directly from the vendors:

announcement

New! MS Forms now live in PowerPoint!

Microsoft Forms is now available as a supported add-in for PowerPoint, allowing you to embed forms, quizzes, or surveys directly into your slides. This makes it easy to gather real-time feedback and boost engagement in your presentations.

Note: Be sure to log into your McGill University Office 365 account to access this feature (see image below).

O365 log in on PPT

Important: All cloud solutions, including Office Add-ins used at McGill, must comply with McGill's Cloud Directive and be vetted and approved through the Cloud service acquisition process. At this time, add-ins in Office are not yet available. All cloud solutions used at McGill must comply with McGill's Cloud Directive and be vetted and approved through the Cloud service acquisition process.

How do I set up Outlook to access my McGill Email?

Follow these instructions to set up Outlook on:

Find more at Index of setup instructions for McGill email.

Why did McGill choose Microsoft 365 instead of another software package?

Because McGill University has a campus-wide licensing agreement with Microsoft for all faculty and staff, we can offer the Student Advantage program at no additional cost.

 

references

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES: