1. Wait for Some Time

After a major Windows or Microsoft Office update, it may take some time for the Office apps to become compatible with the latest software. You should wait for some time before taking any drastic action. If the issue persists after 20-25 minutes, check the following troubleshooting tricks to fix the problem.

2. Check the Internet Connection

Did you shut down your computer during an active Office update process? When you launch any Microsoft Office application the next time, it will try to complete the update process and show the ‘Gettings things to ready’ pop-up. You need an active internet connection, otherwise, you will get stuck at the same pop-up.

  1. Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Select Network & internet from the sidebar and ensure Connected status. You should also confirm a 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency for a robust internet connection. You may also opt for an Ethernet connection for a high-speed internet connection during the Office update process.

3. Completely Close Office Services and Try Again

Due to a network glitch on your computer, Microsoft Office may get stuck on the ‘getting things ready’ screen. You need to completely close such services and try again.

  1. Right-click on the Windows key and open Task Manager.
  2. Select the Office app and services from the list and click End task at the top. Open your preferred app on Windows and try to get past the ‘Getting things ready’ pop-up.

4. Run Office in Compatibility Mode

You can run the Microsoft Office installer in compatibility mode and try again.

  1. Right-click on the Office setup file and select Properties from the context menu.
  2. Move to the Compatibility tab.
  3. Enable the checkmark beside Run this program in compatibility mode and select Windows 8.
  4. Make sure to run the program as administrator and click OK.

5. Repair Microsoft Office

Windows comes with a built-in repair tool to fix issues with Microsoft Office. Here’s how you can repair Office on Windows 11.

  1. Head to Windows 11 Settings (press the Windows + I keys).
  2. Select Apps from the sidebar and Installed Apps.
  3. Scroll to Microsoft 365. Click the more menu (three-dot icon) beside it and click Modify.
  4. Click the radio button beside Quick Repair and run the tool.

6. Online Repair Microsoft Office

If you are still facing Office stuck on the ‘Getting things ready’ issue, run the Online repair tool. It fixes all Office issues but takes a little longer and requires an internet connection throughout.

  1. Head to Microsoft Office in the Installed Apps menu (refer to the steps above).
  2. Click the kebab menu and select Modify.
  3. Select Online Repair and click Repair.

7. Delete Office Registry Keys

You should be careful while making any changes from the Windows 11 Registry Editor. A single misstep can make permanent damage to your computer.

  1. Press the Windows key and search for Registry Editor. Hit Enter to open the app.
  2. Head to the following path. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office
  3. Right-click on it and select Delete.
  4. Move to the following path. Right-click on it and select Delete. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppVISV
  5. Check the following path now. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun
  6. Right-click and select Delete.

8. Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

You need to run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to figure out problems with Microsoft Office and Outlook.

  1. Download Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant from the link.
  2. Go through the usual software installation and run the tool on your computer.
  3. Run the software and follow the on-screen instructions to fix Office problems.

9. Reinstall Microsoft Office

When none of the tricks work, you need to reinstall Microsoft Office from scratch.

  1. Head to the Installed Apps menu in Windows Settings (check the steps above).
  2. Select the more menu and click Uninstall. Confirm your decision.
  3. Download the Microsoft Office installation file from the web.

Don’t Waste Your Productivity Hours

If you still face issues with Office apps on Windows, you have no option but to use Microsoft Office web apps. But they may not offer the feature-rich experience that you are used to with native apps.