0.2Installation, License & Versions
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Desktop: Project Standard (solo) and Project Professional (shared resources, server connection); cloud: the Project Plans 1/3/5.
- Plan 1 = web only; Plan 3 = Professional + web; Plan 5 = + portfolio and enterprise resources.
- No native Mac version: on Mac, you go through Project for the web or a Windows virtual machine.
Running mini-case — Meriem chooses the edition suited to her design office
Meriem's engineering & construction company, in Algiers, wants to equip its design office. Meriem must plan several client sites and, eventually, share resources between them. She compares: Project Standard would be enough to plan alone, but Project Professional and Plan 3 bring the resource pool, the Team Planner and the web version for collaborating. Plan 1, limited to the web, would not suit her if she wants the desktop version. Before ordering, she checks whether the company's Microsoft 365 subscription already includes Project, to avoid a double purchase.
Self-contained case for this section: it returns in the lesson, the diagram, the script and the 48h challenge of section 0.2.
1. The editions
Microsoft Project comes in several editions. On the desktop side: Project Standard (solo planning, without enterprise resource management) and Project Professional (more complete: resource pool, connection to Project Online/Server, Team Planner). On the cloud subscription side: Project Plan 1, 3 and 5, which give access to Project for the web and, depending on the plan, to the desktop application.
2. Choosing according to your use
Plan 3 includes Project Professional (desktop) + Project for the web; Plan 5 adds advanced capabilities (portfolio, enterprise resources); Plan 1 is limited to Project for the web. For her sites with shared resources, Meriem therefore targets Professional or Plan 3. The choice depends above all on two questions: solo planning or shared resources, and perpetual license or subscription.
3. Installing and activating
Installing the desktop version is done through your Microsoft 365 account (Office portal), and activation by signing in. There is no native Mac version: on Mac, you go through Project for the web or a Windows virtual machine. Finally, Meriem notes to check the company's existing subscription before any purchase.
🔎 Concrete example — 🔎 Concrete example — Which plan for what
Meriem summarizes the content of each plan before recommending:
Plan 1: Project for the web only.
Plan 3: Project Professional (desktop) + web.
Plan 5: + portfolio and enterprise resources.Key point: only the desktop version allows offline work and the advanced scheduling features.
Lesson: check whether the M365 subscription already includes Project to avoid a double purchase.
Section vocabulary
- Project Standard
- Desktop edition to plan solo; without an enterprise resource pool or server connection.
Simple example: Meriem plans a small site alone with Standard.
What it is not: the version that shares resources between projects.
Reflex: solo → Standard.
- Project Professional
- Complete desktop edition: resource pool, Team Planner, connection to Project Online/Server.
Simple example: Meriem manages the teams shared between her sites there.
What it is not: a version limited to the web, without desktop.
Reflex: shared resources → Professional.
- Project Plan 1/3/5
- Cloud subscriptions: Plan 1 (web only), Plan 3 (Professional desktop + web), Plan 5 (+ portfolio/enterprise).
Simple example: Meriem targets Plan 3 to have both desktop and web.
What it is not: a perpetual license bought once.
Reflex: desktop + web → Plan 3.
- Project for the web
- Online version included in the Plans, accessible in the browser, for collaborative planning.
Simple example: Meriem tracks progress with her team there.
What it is not: the Windows application installed on a workstation.
Reflex: browser → Project for the web.
- Perpetual license vs subscription
- Standard/Professional are bought once (perpetual); the Plans are paid by monthly/annual subscription.
Simple example: Meriem compares the cost of a one-off purchase with an annual subscription.
What it is not: two words for the same payment method.
Reflex: one-off purchase or subscription → check the use.
In practice — In practice — Choose your edition and install Project
- Clarify your need: solo planning (Standard) or shared resources + collaboration (Professional / Plan 3+), like Meriem for her design office.
- Choose between a perpetual license (Standard/Professional bought once) and a subscription (Plan 1/3/5).
- Install the desktop application from the Microsoft 365 portal (office.com) after signing in to your account.
- Activate by signing in to your account; on Mac, plan for Project for the web or a Windows virtual machine.
Step-by-step script — choose your edition like Meriem (5 min)
1) Note whether you plan alone or with shared resources. 2) Note whether your projects are structured (desktop) or lightweight (web only). 3) Choose: Standard/Professional or Plan 1/3/5. 4) Check whether your organization already has an M365 subscription including Project. 5) Install and activate from the Microsoft 365 portal.
Aligning the edition with the real use avoids paying twice or missing a feature.
Copy-paste template — my Project edition sheet
Running thread: Meriem, project manager — engineering & construction (BTP) company, Algiers.
Desktop: Project Standard (solo) · Project Professional (shared resources, server).
Cloud: Plan 1 (web only) · Plan 3 (Professional + web) · Plan 5 (+ portfolio).
Installation: Microsoft 365 account, activation by signing in.
Mac: no native version → web or Windows virtual machine.Solo planning
Meriem estimates a small site alone with Project Standard.
Shared resources
Meriem moves to Professional / Plan 3 to share her teams between sites.
Avoid a double purchase
Meriem checks the company's M365 subscription before ordering a license.
Need on Mac
Meriem points a colleague on macOS to Project for the web or a virtual machine.
✓ Best practices
- Clarify solo (Standard) vs shared resources (Professional/Plan 3+).
- Check whether the organization already has a subscription including Project.
- On Mac: Project for the web or a Windows virtual machine.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Buying twice when M365 already includes Project.
- Waiting for a native Mac version (which does not exist).
- Taking Plan 1 (web only) thinking you have the desktop version.
Key takeaways
- Desktop: Project Standard (solo) and Project Professional (shared resources, server).
- Cloud: Plan 1 (web only), Plan 3 (Professional + web), Plan 5 (+ portfolio).
- Installation via the Microsoft 365 portal, activation by signing in to the account.
- No native Mac version: Project for the web or a Windows virtual machine.
48h challenge — apply it tomorrow
Like Meriem, clarify your need in one sentence (solo planning or shared resources) then note the edition or plan that answers it. Add the chosen payment method (one-off purchase or subscription) and check whether your organization already has a subscription including Project.
- I distinguish the desktop editions (Standard, Professional).
- I place Plans 1/3/5 and what each includes.
- I know how to install and activate Project (desktop or web) according to my license.
Frequently asked questions
Which edition should you choose to get started?
To learn and plan alone, Project Standard (or a plan including the desktop version) is more than enough. Move to Professional / Plan 3-5 to share resources between projects or collaborate. Also check whether your organization already has an M365 subscription including Project.
Can I try Microsoft Project for free?
Microsoft generally offers a free trial of the Project Plans via the Microsoft 365 portal, to test the desktop and/or web version with no commitment. Ask your institution, which may have licenses under a Microsoft agreement.
What does Project Plan 3 include?