VISIO APP how to download as desktop app

Orla Johnson 81

Bought Visio today but cant seem to locate how I download it as a desktop app, web interface only works and I'm not really keen on it. if you can be anyway way of help would appreciate it.

Kind regards
Orla

Emily Hua-MSFT 27,676 Reputation points

2020-07-28T03:31:10.777+00:00

Is there any questions? If yes, please feel free to post back.
Emily Hua-MSFT 27,676 Reputation points

2020-08-05T05:13:36.01+00:00

I am checking the status of this issue. Do you have any update for it?
Brian C 21 Reputation points

2021-10-04T16:02:51.3+00:00

I have Visio Plan 2.

I was able to finally get Visio to install locally by downloading the 16 bit version, letting it give an error saying I had the 64 bit office version installed, and then it gave me a prompt to install the 64 bit version. After this it finally installed.

I tried many times to download and install the 64 bit version, it would not error out, it would act like it installed, but it would not really install.
Collin Willis 11 Reputation points

2022-04-13T16:52:00.37+00:00

So what version is the version that you get as part of the E5 license?
Chris Hollis 1 Reputation point

2022-04-15T06:41:03.27+00:00

You only get the online version. It isn't Visio plan 1 but the features are similar Online only, no desktop app,

To access you have to go to your office.com and it's available under Apps > Visio
Collin Willis 11 Reputation points

2022-04-25T10:41:11.557+00:00

Thanks, I guessed that was the case, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Regards
Collin
John Dunn 1 Reputation point

2022-11-15T20:53:54.867+00:00

Well RATS! I thought I could get the full/desktop version as well. Guess I'm stuck on the browser version for a little bit longer!
Attoti Bharath Krishna 106 Reputation points

2023-01-01T05:06:42.077+00:00

The MS office apps and Visio are such a pain. The website does not seem to want us to download anything!
Attoti Bharath Krishna 106 Reputation points

2023-01-01T05:06:50.173+00:00

The MS office apps and Visio are such a pain. The website does not seem to want us to download anything!
Eric Anderson 5 Reputation points

2023-02-24T20:43:52.8266667+00:00

It is crap that it can't be downloaded, Microsoft is really screwing up everything.
akash 25 Reputation points

2023-04-25T04:09:57.7666667+00:00

This answer needs to be updated. It is a pain to figure out how to install Visio. At this rate, I'd rather move to another easier to install software. When I select plans and pricing on Visio site. I see this: An error (500 Internal Server Error) has occurred in response to this request Embarrassing for MSFT. Pls fix this ASAP.
Anonymous

2023-05-03T02:07:35.08+00:00

why can't we just simply install the app! The web version doesn't have all the features!!
Rob Ainscough 81 Reputation points

2023-06-04T18:40:49.53+00:00

This is silly, it's impossible to install Visio???
Ernest Olmos 0 Reputation points

2023-07-07T16:56:23.33+00:00

I have license code. But how do I download Visio pro 2019 desktop app?
Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-03-28T22:07:08.84+00:00

Basically yu need to have a windows 365 account active. It can be a 1 month trial account. When you have account active you can "install desktop apps". When it has installed to your PC you can then start Visio and when it prompts you choose "I have a product key". Enter the product key you got when you bought Visio 21 and it will work from your PC without have to have an active Office 365. I think this is technically called the Plan2 license.
Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-03-28T22:09:33.7166667+00:00

Basically you need to have a windows 365 account active. It can be a 1 month trial account. When you have account active you can "install desktop apps". When it has installed to your PC you can then start Visio and when it prompts you choose "I have a product key". Enter the product key you got when you bought Visio 21 and it will work from your PC without have to have an active Office 365. I think this is technically called the Plan2 license.
Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-03-28T22:12:16.18+00:00

Basically you need to have a windows 365 account active. It can be a 1 month trial account. When you have account active you can "install desktop apps". When it has installed to your PC you can then start Visio and when it prompts you choose "I have a product key". Enter the product key you got when you bought Visio 21 and it will work from your PC without have to have an active Office 365. I think this is technically called the Plan2 license. It is the full Visio desktop version NOT the free web version :) Enjoy :)
Aaron Halbert 105 Reputation points

2024-06-25T17:08:25.2+00:00

This is so ridiculous. Microsoft... anyone home? It's been 3 years. HOW DO I INSTALL VISIO DESKTOP??? I have followed all instructions multiple times including these ridiculous workarounds.
Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-06-25T17:56:12.63+00:00

From within Office 365 choose "Install Desktop Application" and then choose "I have a licence" and input the key you've purchased when prompted,
Kayel Hughes-Domingue 0 Reputation points

2024-08-09T01:19:10.79+00:00

I cant even get the web version. This is ridiculous. Im paying for something I cant use.
Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-08-09T06:44:09.0833333+00:00

If you have a licence key you can install to your PC from Office365. You need to login and then find the 'Install application to PC' or something like that. A trial Office365 account will work OK. I know it's frustrating but it does work. Good luck 😊
Muneeb Mushtaq 0 Reputation points

2024-08-19T15:37:38.82+00:00

https://admin.microsoft.com/account#installs
Anthony Yao-Bama 0 Reputation points

2024-10-11T09:45:22.17+00:00

2 links for you :
1 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-visio-or-access-visio-for-the-web-f98f21e3-aa02-4827-9167-ddab5b025710
2 https://admin.microsoft.com/account#
3 Thank me later
FoxBox 0 Reputation points

2024-11-25T19:13:37.85+00:00

If you have a license installed, it should show up here

https://admin.microsoft.com/account#installs
Leandro Marcondes 0 Reputation points

2025-01-06T00:34:54.0466667+00:00
Yes, until now. the only way to download the app.

Have office 64bits installed

Go to your my account portal ( as show on other answers)

Download the 32bit version of the Visio

After run the downloaded file, the system will complain about version compatibility, then there is a button to install the 64bit instead, click on this

the system will start the installation of Visio only.

if you don't select the wrong version first the .exe will just reinstall office without Visio

5 answers

Showndarya Madhavan 351 Reputation points

2020-07-24T10:28:54.753+00:00

Hi @OrlaJohnson-7526

You can download Visio by:

Going to www.office.com and signing in with the account you have Visio in.

Click Install Office -> Other Install Options

Click on Apps and Devices

You will see the option to install Visio.

Hope this helps!
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14 people found this answer helpful.
Svetli Popov 6 Reputation points

2021-08-20T18:08:39.453+00:00

Hello I try to install visio but i dont have the option. I have visio 2

Albert Ngai 0 Reputation points

2023-04-20T15:32:30.94+00:00

No, it only shows option to get Office on your phone for IOS or other platforms. It doesn't show what you showed.

AJG 0 Reputation points

2023-10-01T09:20:59.58+00:00

This is not accurate information, VISIO only has the web base access, and the web base visio does not have the most common use diagrams regardless of what version your get tricked into buying.

Jullien Mark Balili 0 Reputation points

2023-10-11T05:36:29.17+00:00

I did and followed these steps, but the option for Visio installation is not there as seen on your screenshot.

Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-03-28T22:10:52.3566667+00:00

Basically you need to have a windows 365 account active. It can be a 1 month trial account. When you have account active you can "install desktop apps". When it has installed to your PC you can then start Visio and when it prompts you choose "I have a product key". Enter the product key you got when you bought Visio 21 and it will work from your PC without have to have an active Office 365. I think this is technically called the Plan2 license.

Fare Melhem 0 Reputation points

2024-06-10T11:03:55.23+00:00

thank you, very helpful

Fare Melhem 0 Reputation points

2024-06-10T11:04:46.3633333+00:00

it seems if i have a trial version of Visio, i cannot download desktop version and should use the web version, right?

Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-06-10T11:13:58.1466667+00:00

See my comment above on how to install desktop application. Start Office365 (can be 1 month free trial). Choose Install Desktop App and select Visio. When prompted select I have a product key. Enter the product key. You should now have the application installed and can select from the Start menu. 😊

Aaron Halbert 105 Reputation points

2024-06-25T17:07:39.81+00:00

None of these instructions work anymore. I have the "Install Visio" link in my office portal, but it downloads the same installer as the main "Install Office" link. The "Install Visio" link DOES NOT INSTALL VISIO. It installs Microsoft 365. When you launch Microsoft 365 and select Visio, IT REDIRECTS YOU TO THE **** WEB BROWSER!!!!! Literally what is going on? How do I install Visio. Give me an actual answer please.

Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-06-25T17:54:38.7666667+00:00

That is why you have to choose "Install Desktop Application" from within Office 365.

Jane K 0 Reputation points

2024-09-19T22:00:25.4666667+00:00

The option to install Visio is not available per the instructions provided. I agree with all the other posts, it should not be this difficult to get the desktop app and full functionality of a product for which we have a license.

Jane K 0 Reputation points

2024-11-25T20:42:57.37+00:00

These instructions don't work.
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Emily Hua-MSFT 27,676 Reputation points

2020-07-27T02:24:33.993+00:00

Hi @Orla Johnson ,

Which version of Visio do you have?

Please note, Visio Plan 1 does not have desktop application, it is the browser-based version of Visio.

For other versions of Visio, like Visio Plan2, Visio 2019 and ect, you may refer to ShowndaryaMadhavan's reply to download the installation content.
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3 people found this answer helpful.
Ted M 0 Reputation points

2023-04-21T19:24:02.3766667+00:00

I have a type 2 license and when I download Visio it just gives the Officesetup.exe and no Visio is on the install. I only have access to the web version of Visio which does not have the same feature set.

Ted M 0 Reputation points

2023-04-21T19:25:38.6166667+00:00
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Johny Modem 0 Reputation points

2024-03-28T22:11:13.1666667+00:00

Basically you need to have a windows 365 account active. It can be a 1 month trial account. When you have account active you can "install desktop apps". When it has installed to your PC you can then start Visio and when it prompts you choose "I have a product key". Enter the product key you got when you bought Visio 21 and it will work from your PC without have to have an active Office 365. I think this is technically called the Plan2 license.
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CenterSpike 0 Reputation points

2024-05-22T19:09:32.0433333+00:00

I ran into this issue and found the answer -

If you have the Microsoft 365 subscription of Visio (plan 2), then go to https://portal.office.com/account#installs

If applicable you will see Visio, and a button for "Install Visio".

Clicking that downloads "OfficeSetup.exe", which is named exactly as a regular Microsoft Office Download, but it is indeed different, I opened it and Visio is now installing.
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Rob Coops 0 Reputation points

2024-08-14T15:20:24.3166667+00:00

This is inaccurate as you can (no longer not sure if this was different in the past) get the Visio 2 plan as a regular user it is only for businesses. When you are a business you can get the Visio 2 plan but this does not let you install the Visio application as the license is not assigned to a user. When you have gotten the Visio 2 plan you will have to assign the license to a user make sure that user is the one you sign in with when running the OfficeSetup.exe at which point it will actually install Visio.

Another correction the OfficeSetup.exe file is the same in both cases, the only thing that is that when checking your licenses with the Microsoft service it will find that you are now paying for the Visio license and it will install this as well.

Villarreal, Chris 0 Reputation points

2025-01-07T16:12:24.0266667+00:00

The link https://portal.office.com/account#installs is the only way I've been able to install Visio as a desktop app, I do have Visio 2 plan. Nowhere in office.com can I download the desktop app like before by looking into Apps & Devices
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Rob Coops 0 Reputation points

2024-08-14T15:03:22.88+00:00

So I have been struggling with this for a bit, the multiple different options, with only one offering the actual Visio installation and then not being able to select the option that is advertised in this article...

Here is what I found, you do not get the option to buy Visio on a personal account only on a business account, please do not ask me why it is a Microsoft thing.
When you have a business account and you choose to pay for the Visio license that is what you get a Visio license. But that license is not assigned to any of your business users even if there is only a single business user in the organization. So in order to get the option mentioned here you will have to go into the administration portal and assign the license to the user that is supposed to install the Visio application. When that is done, log in as that user and this time you will see the option to install Visio... which by the way downloads the same installer as for the regular Office installation and will check your license with Microsoft just like before this time seeing that you also pay for Visio so it will install this as part of the Office installation.

Please do not ask me why this insanity is required or why Microsoft decided to produce a help document with only half the information required to answer the users questions. It is a very large organization that clearly has better things to do than to help paying users get what they pay for.
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VISIO APP how to download as desktop app

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