Microsoft-office-2016-installer.pkg -

Because .pkg files run scripts with root privileges, they are a common vector for malware. Always:

Cause: macOS Gatekeeper is blocking the older, unsigned or stale-signed package.

Fix: Do not use the "Move to Trash" button. Instead:

Technically, no. The installer checks the macOS version during the "Installation Check" phase and will fail. Some users have manually extracted the .pkg using pkgutil --expand and removed version checks from Distribution files, but this is unsupported and often leads to app crashes. microsoft-office-2016-installer.pkg

In the ecosystem of macOS software deployment, few file names carry as much weight—and as much potential for confusion—as microsoft-office-2016-installer.pkg. For IT administrators, small business owners, and individual users alike, this seemingly innocuous package file represents a gateway to one of the most widely used productivity suites in history. However, as Apple has transitioned through macOS Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, and beyond, the relevance and safety of this specific installer have become increasingly complex.

This article provides a deep dive into everything you need to know about the microsoft-office-2016-installer.pkg file: its origins, technical specifications, security considerations, common installation errors, and modern alternatives.

If you downloaded the official English version from Microsoft, the SHA-1 hash should resemble:
6c0d6e0e9b1f2c4a8d5e7f3b9a1c4d8e2f5b7a3c (actual varies by build number; the last official build was 16.16.27). You can verify with shasum in Terminal. Because

In short: microsoft-office-2016-installer.pkg is a legacy installer that works only on older macOS versions. Use it with caution, and plan to migrate to a modern office suite for security and compatibility.

Cause: You cannot install Office 2016 alongside Office 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365.

Fix: You must fully uninstall newer Office versions first using the official Microsoft Office 365 (or 2019) removal tool or manually move /Applications/ folders like Microsoft Word.app to the Trash. Then run the 2016 installer. If you downloaded the official English version from

Important: Office 2016 reached end of support on October 13, 2020. Extended support (security updates only) ended for most editions by April 2023.

This means:

If you must keep Office 2016, take these precautions: