Unlike the standard Click-to-Run installation that pulls files from the cloud, the offline installer allows you to deploy proofing tools (dictionaries, hyphenation patterns, grammar rules) to multiple machines without an internet connection. This guide covers everything you need to know: what it is, why you need it, how to download the legitimate offline installer, step-by-step installation, and advanced deployment via command line.
The Office folder filled with the newly downloaded CAB and DAT files. Step 5: Install the Proofing Tools Offline
Microsoft releases proofing tools as standalone .MSI packages. Search the Microsoft Update Catalog for Office 2021 Proofing Tools . Use the following syntax:
A command-line utility used to download and install Office files.
The command prompt will advance to a blank, blinking cursor line. No progress bar will appear. The ODT is silently downloading the language files into a newly created subfolder named Office . Depending on your connection speed and the number of languages selected, this process can take 5 to 20 minutes. The command prompt will return to a standard input line when the download completes. Step 4: Run the Offline Installer on Target Machines
This is important because as a Microsoft Q&A thread explains: “If older Office software was present on the computer when you installed your subscription version, you will usually get 32-bit Office (even on 64-bit Windows).” In other words, just because your computer runs a 64-bit version of Windows does NOT mean you have 64-bit Office. Always verify before downloading.
This is the easiest method for individual users.
Change the OfficeClientEdition and Language ID attributes according to your specific requirements.