How to Install Visio 2024 and Project 2024 on Windows (Step-by-Step)
Visio 2024 and Project 2024 aren’t part of the Microsoft 365 or Office suites. Microsoft sells them as stand-alone apps, so they install on their own. The good news is that Microsoft uses the same process for both: redeem your product key, sign in, download, install, and open the app.
This guide covers Visio Standard 2024, Visio Professional 2024, Project Standard 2024, and Project Professional 2024. It also explains how to install them on a PC that already runs Microsoft 365, and what to do if something goes wrong.
One rule before you start: follow the instructions in your order email and on your product page first. They’re specific to the product key you receive. The steps below are Microsoft’s standard process.
Microsoft documents the same Project steps on its Install Project support page, which applies to Project Standard 2024 and Project Professional 2024.
Before you start: a quick checklist
A Windows PC. Visio and Project are Windows desktop apps. Microsoft lists Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2019 as supported operating systems for Visio 2024 and Project 2024. They don’t install on a Mac.- Enough computer. Microsoft lists a 1.6 GHz or faster 2-core processor, 4 GB of RAM (2 GB for 32-bit), 4 GB of free disk space, a 1280 x 768 screen, and a DirectX 10 graphics card for hardware acceleration.
- Administrator rights on the PC, so you can install programs.
- A Microsoft account. You use it to redeem your key and to reinstall later. If you use Outlook.com, OneDrive, or Xbox, you probably have one already.
- An internet connection for the download and activation.
- Your 25-character product key, which looks like XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Check what else is installed
Visio and Project install next to Office on the same PC, but Microsoft sets a few rules:
- All Office, Visio, and Project products on one PC must be the same bit version, either all 32-bit or all 64-bit.
- If the PC runs Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft says it needs Version 2408 or later to work alongside Project 2024 or Visio 2024. To check, open Word and go to File > Account, and look under About Word.
- All products must use the same update channel.
Install Visio 2024 or Project 2024
Step 1: Redeem your product key
Microsoft says you redeem your key once. This links Visio or Project to your Microsoft account.
Go to microsoft365.com/setup (office.com/setup also works).
Sign in with your Microsoft account, or create one.
Enter your product key without hyphens when asked, and follow the prompts.
After that, Microsoft says you no longer need the key. The app stays linked to your account, and you can download it again from account.microsoft.com.
Seeing “This product key has already been used”? Microsoft explains that this means the key has already been redeemed to a Microsoft account. Go to Step 2 and sign in with that account. If you’re not sure which account it was, contact our support team.
Step 2: Download the installer
Go to microsoft365.com and select Sign in.
Sign in with the same Microsoft account you used in Step 1. If you’re signed in with a work or school account, sign out first, or use a private (InPrivate or Incognito) browser window.
Select the install option on the home page. (Microsoft’s pages call it Install Office or Install and more.)
Go to Services & subscriptions (labeled Subscriptions on some pages). This page lists the Microsoft products you own.
Find Visio or Project and select Install.
Need a different language or the 64-bit version? Select Other options, choose the language and bit version you want, then select Install. Remember that it must match the bit version of any Office already on the PC.
Step 3: Run the installer
Open the downloaded file (OfficeSetup.exe). Depending on your browser, select Open, Run, Setup, or Save File and then open it.
When Windows asks Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?, select Yes.
Keep the PC on and connected while it installs.
When you see “You’re all set!”, select Close.
Step 4: Open the app and activate
Select Start and search for Visio or Project.
Open the app.
If a license agreement appears, accept it.
Under Microsoft’s standard Office activation process, the app is now ready to use. If there’s a problem, Microsoft’s Activation Wizard opens to walk you through it.
Installing Visio 2024 or Project 2024 with Microsoft 365
Already use Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365)? Microsoft lists Microsoft 365 Apps with Visio 2024 or Project 2024 as a supported combination on one PC, as long as you follow the rules:
Update Microsoft 365 Apps to Version 2408 or later before installing.
Match the bit version. If Microsoft 365 is 64-bit, install the 64-bit Visio or Project (use Other options in Step 2).
Use the same update channel. For volume-licensed Visio or Project, Microsoft says they must be set to the same update channel as Microsoft 365 Apps.
You’ll keep using your Microsoft 365 subscription for Word, Excel, and Outlook, and sign in to Visio or Project with the account you redeemed its key with.
Volume license (LTSC) versions
Microsoft also sells Visio LTSC 2024 and Project 2024 through volume licensing. Microsoft says IT departments install these differently, using the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) with a configuration file rather than the Microsoft account steps above.
If your order email tells you to use the Office Deployment Tool:
The process is the same one shown in our Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 install guide.- In the configuration file, use the Product ID Microsoft lists for your app: VisioPro2024Volume, VisioStd2024Volume, ProjectPro2024Volume, or ProjectStd2024Volume.
- Microsoft’s sample configuration uses Channel=”PerpetualVL2024″ and puts your product key in the PIDKEY field.
If you’re not sure which method applies to your key, check your order email or contact our support team before you start.
Fixing common install problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Error about 32-bit and 64-bit | Office, Visio, or Project with a different bit version is already installed. | Reinstall Visio or Project with Other options set to the same bit version as Office. |
| Visio or Project isn’t listed under Services & subscriptions | You’re signed in with a different account, or the key wasn’t redeemed. | Sign in with the account you redeemed the key with, or redeem it at microsoft365.com/setup. |
| “This product key has already been used” | The key was already redeemed to a Microsoft account. | Sign in with that account and install from Services & subscriptions. |
| Install fails on a PC with Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365 Apps is older than Version 2408, or the update channels don’t match. | Update Microsoft 365 Apps, then try again. |
| You have Visio Plan 1 and no desktop app | Microsoft says Visio Plan 1 is web only. | Use Visio for the web, or choose a version that includes the desktop app. |
| The app opens but won’t activate | Signed in with a different account, or a problem during activation. | Sign in with the account you redeemed the key with and follow the Activation Wizard. |
If none of this fixes it, don’t spend hours on it. Contact our support team with a screenshot of the error and your order number, and we’ll take it from there.
Reinstalling later
You don’t need your product key again. Sign in at microsoft365.com with the same Microsoft account, go to Services & subscriptions, and select Install next to Visio or Project. Then repeat Steps 3 and 4. Your product page lists the device details for your key.
Haven’t picked an edition yet?
- Visio: compare Visio Standard 2024 and Visio Professional 2024, or read our guide to Visio 2024 Standard vs Professional.
- Project: compare Project Standard 2024 and Project Professional 2024, or read our guide to Project 2024 Standard vs Professional.
Browse all Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project licenses.
Installing Office too? See How to Install Office 2024 on Windows.
If you’re deciding between a Visio subscription and the one-time Visio Professional 2024, our Visio Plan 2 vs Visio Professional 2024 guide compares the two.
Frequently asked questions
Under Microsoft’s standard process, go to microsoft365.com/setup (or office.com/setup), sign in with a Microsoft account, and enter the 25-character key without hyphens. You only do this once. Check your order email and product page first, since they list the activation details for the product key you receive.
The Visio desktop app isn’t included in the Microsoft 365 suite. Microsoft sells Visio as a stand-alone app. Visio Standard 2024 and Visio Professional 2024 are one-time purchases that include the desktop app.
Yes. Microsoft supports it if Microsoft 365 Apps is Version 2408 or later, all products use the same bit version (32-bit or 64-bit), and they use the same update channel.
Match whatever Office is already on the PC. Microsoft says all Office, Visio, and Project products on one computer must use the same bit version. To choose, select Other options before you select Install.
For the standard one-time-purchase versions, yes. Redeeming the key links the app to your Microsoft account, and you sign in with that account to download and reinstall. Volume license versions install with the Office Deployment Tool instead.
No. Visio and Project are Windows desktop apps. Microsoft lists Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2019 as supported operating systems.
Sign in at microsoft365.com with the Microsoft account you redeemed the key with, go to Services & subscriptions, and select Install next to Visio or Project. You don’t need to enter the key again.
Need help installing Visio or Project?
If anything goes wrong, contact our support team and we’ll fix it with you. Email support@solveditservices.com with your order number and a screenshot of the error, or call (447) 223-5297. Our delivery page explains how your product key reaches you, and our FAQ answers common order questions. Setting up Visio or Project on several PCs? Request a quote.