Northwestern's agreement with Microsoft offers Microsoft Office software, core client access licenses, and operating system upgrades for University-owned computers.
Personally-owned computers are not covered under the terms of the agreement. Northwestern faculty and staff may purchase a home use version of Office for Windows and Mac utilizing the Home Use Program.
Product Activation and Key Information
Microsoft Volume Licensing for products such as Windows 10/11 must use a product activation called Volume Activation (VA).
To activate products with VA, Northwestern IT has established a Key Management Service (KMS) host that computers will need to access via the NU network periodically to activate. Activation should occur in the background and users should not have to manually process activation requests to the KMS host. Learn more about product activation and key information.
Office for Windows and Mac
Northwestern University's agreement with Microsoft now provides Microsoft 365 ProPlus for download on both PC and Mac to all faculty, staff, and active or incoming students registered for a class in the current or following academic term. Faculty, staff, and students may install the latest copies of the software on up to five different computers and, because the applications come directly from Microsoft online, will always have access to the latest version.
Windows 10 Operating System
Files are provided in ISO format. You will need to use an ISO mounting utility or burn the files to DVD to install.
Please contact your local technical support person with any questions about updating your operating system.
Windows 11 version 21H2 (ARM) Operating System
Files are provided in ISO format. You will need to use an ISO mounting utility or burn the files to DVD to install.
Please contact your local technical support person with any questions about updating your operating system.
Windows Server 2019 Operating System
Files are provided in ISO format. You will need to use an ISO mounting utility or burn the files to DVD to install.
Please contact your local technical support person with any questions about updating your operating system.
Windows Server 2022 Operating System
Files are provided in ISO format. You will need to use an ISO mounting utility or burn the files to DVD to install.
Please contact your local technical support person with any questions about updating your operating system.