How To Download and Install Microsoft Visio

Microsoft Visio is a powerful and feature-rich app for creating diagrams and flowcharts fit for all types of occasions. You can easily achieve professional results with MS Visio, as it offers many different tools and templates and an intuitive interface that even beginners can navigate through.

Downloading and installing the software is quite easy and does not differ from downloading and installing any other MS Office program. Here are the steps you have to follow to successfully download, install and start using Visio.

Which version of Visio do you have?

First, you need to find the MS Visio version that best suits your needs. You can choose from Visio Standard 2016, Visio Professional 2016, and Visio Pro for Office 365. The Standard version only includes the basics, so if you need more tools, templates, and shapes, the Professional version is the right choice for you. Buy Microsoft Visio 2016 for more updated features that still feature the basics you know and love. Depending on your Windows version, you may have to go through different steps for downloading and installing MS Visio. Only some versions of Visio include the desktop app.

You can install and use the desktop app if you have Visio Plan 2 or a non-subscription version such as Visio Professional or Visio Standard 2021, 2019, 2016, or 2013.
If you have Visio Plan 1 the only way for you to access Visio is via the web app version. Select the Visio for the web tab below for information about how to access Visio this way.

Before we proceed, let’s point out some Pros and a few Cons of MS Visio.

Pros

Has a wide variety of diagramming shapes.
It's the market leader in diagramming software
The choice of every professional
Offers Cloud benefits
Easily downloadable and can be used as long as it is compatible with your device

Cons

Might come expensive
Doesn’t run on Mobile Devices

There are also a few different ways to download the app and below you can find the step-by-step download and installation processes for each of them.

Depending on your Microsoft Visio version, select the correct way to access and install Visio.

Install Office 2013 - 2021

Install Visio (Visio Plan 2 or Visio Professional)

The steps below describe how to install the desktop app included with Visio Plan 2, and non-subscription versions of Visio Professional or Visio Standard 2021, 2019, 2016, or 2013.

If you are using Windows 7 or 10, find the Software Center in the Start menu and locate the MS Visio app.

If you don’t see it, simply search for it in the search box. Then, after you’ve found the right MS Visio version for your needs, all you need to do is click “install” and follow the steps. The app will be installed on your computer and you can start using it right away.

Remember: To install Visio a license needs to be associated with your Microsoft account or work or school account. Which account you use depends on which version of Visio you have.

Another way to get the MS Visio app is to simply go to

a web browser, then

Navigate to https://www.office.com. find the Visio app there and purchase it.
Associate Visio with your account. If prompted to sign in: Click Sign In with an existing or new Microsoft Account and enter your product key.

Once Visio is associated with your Microsoft account, you no longer need the product key. It will always be linked to your account and you can re-download the app or manage your license from SoftwareKeep.com.
Click the Install Office apps drop-down button. Then, after you’ve found the right MS Visio version for your needs, all you need to do is click “install” if you have found it in the Software Center.
Click Other install options.
Select View Apps & Devices.
Under My installs next to the Visio label click Install Visio.
The installer will begin to download. Follow the prompts to run the downloaded file and install Visio.

If you have purchased it from the MS Office website, you will be sent an email with a link you have to click on. The link will open a custom Microsoft Office page where you have to register or sign in if you already have a Microsoft account. After logging in, you have to go to the My Office Account page and simply select the product that you want to install, in this case - MS Visio. Then, just click install to begin installing Visio on your computer. A pop-up window will appear in your browser and depending on the browser you use you have to click on Setup (for Chrome), Save File (for Firefox), or Run (for Internet Explorer). You may be asked where to save the app, so just pick a location folder or create a new one. Once it’s done installing, you can simply open the program and start using it! Be sure to check out some additional MS Visio Tips & Tricks once you’ve run through the initial setup and gotten familiar with some of the basic features.

How to Install Visio

Depending on your browser, select Run (in Edge or Internet Explorer), Setup (in Chrome), or Save File (in Firefox).
If you see the User Account Control prompt that says, Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? select Yes.
The installation begins.
Your install is finished when you see the phrase, "You're all set! Visio is installed now" and an animation plays to show you where to find the Visio app on your computer.

Now, all you have to do is follow the instructions in the window to find Visio. For instance, depending on your version of Windows, select Start and then scroll to find Visio from your list of apps.

If you have purchased a product key card

You have to go to https://setup.office.com and sign up or sign in if you already have a Microsoft account. After that, type in your product key. Click on “I want to burn a disk” and download the file on the next page. Once it’s downloaded, open the folder it’s saved in and burn it to a disc. If you don’t have a CD or a DVD disc, you can download a software solution for burning virtual CDs and DVDs. Right-click on the file you’ve downloaded and choose the option “Burn disc image”. After you’ve burned the file to a disc, in the folder that was created on the disc you need to find the file called “setup”, right-click on it, and click on “Run as administrator”. A new window will open and you will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions before proceeding. After that, simply follow the steps for the installation. You may be asked to reboot your computer to finalize the installation when everything is done. After you restart your computer, you can start using your newly installed MS Visio app!

If you have subscribed to Office 365

you get to experience a free trial of the MS Visio app before committing to buying it. Just go to https://products.office.com/en-us/Visio. If you want to get the full version of the software, you need to go to the following page:

https://portal.office.com/OLS/MySoftware.aspx?

SoftwareManageLayout=Panel_Visio_ClientDownload.

You will be asked to choose your language and then all you have to do is click on the “install” button. A pop-up window will appear in your browser and you have to click “Run” and then click “yes” in order to allow for the installation to run. The installation will happen in the background and you will get a notification in the bottom right corner of your desktop. When the installation is done, your new MS Visio app will be ready for you to explore!

Add all this to Microsoft’s consistent and trustworthy reputation as a global software leader, you can easily choose Visio 2016 Professional edition as it is a perfect value for your money tool which lets you create advanced diagrams, individually or with teams.

Read: Beginners Guide To Using MS Visio [6 Step by Step]

FAQ about Downloading and installing Visio

If your issue isn't listed here, please visit our help center to find more other information about installing Visio.

I don't have a product key for my one-time purchase of Visio

If you got Visio Professional or Standard through one of the following ways, you may not have a product key or associated account. See these steps instead to install your version of Visio.

Third-party seller: You bought Visio from a third party like SoftwareKeep and you're having problems with the product key.
Microsoft HUP: You bought Visio for personal use through your company HUP benefit and have a product key, see Install Office through HUP (These steps apply to all stand-alone Office products purchased through HUP.)
Volume license versions: IT departments often use different methods to install volume license editions of Visio in their organizations. Talk to your IT department for help.