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Office Stuck on "Getting Ready" Screen? Proven Fixes to Get You Working Again

Updated: • 0 • 7 min read

Encountering the “We’re getting things ready” message during Microsoft Office installation can be a frustrating roadblock. Instead of swiftly accessing your essential applications, you might find yourself staring at an orange box that seems to linger indefinitely. This issue, where the installation process gets stuck on the “Getting Ready” screen, prevents users from completing the setup and accessing Office applications. If you’re experiencing this delay, rest assured that there are effective solutions to get your Office suite up and running smoothly. This article will guide you through proven methods to resolve this installation hurdle and get you back to work.

Understanding Why Office Gets Stuck

The “Microsoft Office 365 getting things ready” problem often arises due to incomplete or corrupted remnants of previous Office installations on your system. When older Office files are not properly removed before a new installation, conflicts can occur, leading to the installation process stalling. Another contributing factor can be corrupted or damaged Office 365 installation files themselves. In some instances, these critical files might even be missing, further disrupting the installation sequence. These underlying issues prevent the smooth progression of the installation, leaving you stuck at the “Getting Ready” screen.

Resolving the “Getting Ready” Screen Issue

When your Office installation becomes unresponsive at the “We’re getting things ready” screen, it’s crucial to address the problem systematically. While the message itself isn’t inherently alarming, its persistence can halt the entire installation process. Fortunately, several methods can effectively resolve this issue and ensure a successful Office installation. Let’s explore these solutions in detail.

1. Utilize Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) is a powerful diagnostic tool designed to identify and resolve a wide range of issues related to Microsoft products, including Office, Microsoft 365, and Outlook. This tool streamlines the troubleshooting process by automatically running diagnostic tests to pinpoint the root cause of the problem. Once the issue is identified, SaRA intelligently recommends and implements the most appropriate solution, often automating the fix entirely.

To use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant:

  1. Download and run the tool: You can download SaRA from the official Microsoft website. Once downloaded, execute the program to begin the troubleshooting process.
  2. Select Office as the problematic app: When prompted with the question “Which app are you having problems with?”, carefully select the “Office” option from the list provided. After selecting “Office”, click the “Next” button to proceed.
  3. Specify the problem: From the subsequent list of problems, choose the option that best describes your situation, such as “Office installation is stuck” or “Office won’t install.” Click “Next” to continue.
  4. Follow on-screen instructions: SaRA will then guide you through a series of steps, which might include running diagnostics, attempting repairs, or providing further instructions to resolve the “Getting Ready” screen issue. Carefully follow each on-screen prompt to allow SaRA to effectively troubleshoot and fix your Office installation.

By leveraging the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant, you can often automatically resolve the “Getting Ready” screen problem without needing to delve into more complex manual troubleshooting steps.

2. Uninstall and Re-install Office

Uninstall and Re-install Office

A comprehensive uninstall and re-installation of Office can effectively resolve issues caused by corrupted files or incomplete previous installations. This method ensures a clean slate for the new installation, eliminating potential conflicts. Follow these steps for a thorough uninstall and re-install process:

  1. Open Programs and Features: Press the Windows key + R simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. In the Run dialog box, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter. This command opens the Programs and Features window, where you can uninstall applications.
  2. Uninstall Office: In the Programs and Features window, locate your Microsoft Office installation in the list of installed programs. It might be listed as “Microsoft 365” or “Microsoft Office [Year]”. Right-click on the Office entry and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

  3. Remove Office Registry Entries (Caution: Advanced Step): After uninstalling Office through Programs and Features, it’s crucial to remove any residual files and registry entries to ensure a completely clean uninstall. Caution: Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Proceed with caution and only if you are comfortable editing the registry. It’s recommended to back up your registry before making any changes.

    a. Open Registry Editor: Press Windows key + R again to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
    b. Navigate to Office Registry Keys: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry paths using the left-hand pane:

    ```
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
```

and

```
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office
```

    c. Delete Office Folders: For each of the paths above, locate the “Office” folder in the right-hand pane. Right-click on the “Office” folder and select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
    4. Restart Your Computer: After removing the Office registry entries, restart your computer. This ensures that all uninstallation processes are fully completed and that the system is ready for a fresh installation.
    5. Re-install Office: Once your computer has restarted, locate your Microsoft Office installer file (usually named setup.exe or installer.exe). Right-click on the installer file and select “Run as administrator”. Follow the on-screen instructions to re-install Microsoft Office. Running the installer as administrator ensures that the installation process has the necessary permissions to write files and registry entries.

By meticulously uninstalling and re-installing Office, including the removal of residual registry entries, you significantly increase the likelihood of resolving the “Getting Ready” screen issue and achieving a successful Office installation.

3. Run the Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool

Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool

If the “Getting Ready” screen issue specifically arises during Office 365 installation, the Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool can be instrumental in identifying and resolving DNS-related problems. This tool, provided by Microsoft, is designed to diagnose DNS misconfigurations that can hinder Office 365 installation and connectivity.

The Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool operates by querying Office 365 DNS records using the Nslookup.exe utility, utilizing your computer’s default DNS server. It then analyzes the retrieved DNS records to detect any potential misconfigurations that could be disrupting the installation process. Importantly, the tool does not collect any personal data from your system and requires an active internet connection to function correctly.

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To use the Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool:

  1. Download and run the tool: Obtain the Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool from the official Microsoft website. Execute the downloaded file to launch the tool.
  2. Run the diagnostics: The tool will automatically begin diagnosing your DNS settings related to Office 365. Allow the tool to complete its diagnostic process.
  3. Review the results: Once the diagnostics are complete, the tool will display a report detailing any DNS misconfigurations detected. Follow the recommendations provided by the tool to rectify any identified DNS issues. This might involve adjusting your DNS server settings or contacting your internet service provider for assistance.

By addressing potential DNS misconfigurations using the Office 365 DNS Diagnostic Tool, you can resolve installation problems stemming from DNS-related issues and facilitate a smooth Office 365 installation.

Additional Insights into Office Installation

Why Does Office 365 Take Forever to Install?

The time required to install Office 365 can vary depending on several factors, with internet connection speed being a primary determinant. A slower internet connection will naturally extend the download and installation time. If you experience an unusually long installation duration, it’s advisable to check your internet speed. If your internet speed is significantly slower than expected, troubleshooting your internet connection or contacting your internet service provider might be necessary to improve installation speed. Other factors, such as computer performance and server load at the time of installation, can also play a role, though internet speed generally has the most significant impact.

Can I Download Microsoft Office for Free?

While a fully featured desktop version of Microsoft Office typically requires a purchase or subscription, there is a free, web-based version available. Office for the web allows you to use simplified versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office applications directly within your web browser. This web-based version is accessible to anyone with a Microsoft account and an internet connection.

However, it’s important to note that Office for the web is a streamlined version with fewer features compared to the full desktop applications. Additionally, it requires an active internet connection to function and does not offer offline access. Office for the web provides a convenient way to create, view, and share Office documents online from virtually any device with internet access.

By understanding the limitations and capabilities of Office for the web, you can determine if it meets your needs or if a full desktop version of Microsoft Office is necessary for your workflow.

If you’ve encountered the “Getting Ready” screen issue with Microsoft Office, hopefully, these solutions will help you get past this hurdle and successfully install Office. Do you have any other tips or experiences dealing with Office installation problems? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

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