Download OpenOffice: Free Install Guide for Windows, Mac and Linux

Apache OpenOffice is a free, open-source office suite that has been downloaded hundreds of millions of times since it first appeared more than twenty years ago. This guide explains exactly how to download and install it safely on a Windows PC, a Mac or a Linux computer in New Zealand, which version is current, what the suite actually includes, what your machine needs to run it, and how it compares with the other free and paid options you could choose instead. Everything below is checked against Apache’s own release notes and download pages.

What is Apache OpenOffice?

Apache OpenOffice is a complete desktop office suite that you install on your own computer rather than run in a browser. It gives you a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation tool, a drawing application, a database manager and an equation editor in a single free package. It is developed as an open-source project under the Apache Software Foundation, which means the source code is public and maintained by volunteers rather than a commercial vendor.

Because it is open source, anyone can inspect the code, report bugs or request new features, and advocacy groups such as the open-source community help promote and support this kind of software in New Zealand. OpenOffice saves its files in the open OpenDocument Format (ODF) by default — the same international standard used by LibreOffice — and it can also open and save Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, so you are not locked into one company’s formats.

The project has a long history. It began life as StarOffice, was released as the open-source OpenOffice.org in 2000, and was donated to the Apache Software Foundation in 2011, where it became Apache OpenOffice. In 2010 a group of developers forked the code to create LibreOffice, and today the two suites share the same roots but are maintained by separate communities. Knowing that background helps explain why you will often see both names recommended for the same task.

What is the latest version of OpenOffice?

The current release is Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16, published on 10 November 2025. It is a security release that bundles bug fixes, general improvements and updated spelling dictionaries, and the project advises everyone running 4.1.15 or earlier to upgrade. Always download this version rather than any older 4.1.x build you might find mirrored elsewhere, because the newer release contains the latest security patches.

Version 4.1.16 is available in 41 languages for Windows, macOS and Linux. Development moves slowly compared with commercial suites — these are mostly maintenance and security updates rather than big new features — so if you value a stable, unchanging interface that behaves the same way year after year, that steadiness is part of the appeal.

How do you download OpenOffice safely?

Download OpenOffice only from the official Apache source, never from a random “download” site that wraps the installer in extra toolbars or adware. There are three safe routes, in order of preference.

Download from the official website

The safest option is the official page at openoffice.org/download. Choose your operating system, your language and the version (4.1.16), then start the download. The page auto-detects most systems, but you can override the choices if it guesses wrong — for example if you want a different interface language from the one your browser reports.

Use the Microsoft Store (Windows 10 and 11)

Windows 10 and 11 users can install selected language editions of Apache OpenOffice directly from the Microsoft Store. This route handles the download and installation for you and keeps the app easy to update, which makes it a good choice for less technical users who would rather not run a traditional installer.

Download from a SourceForge mirror

Apache OpenOffice has historically been distributed through SourceForge mirrors as well. If you need a specific build, you can download an installation file via SourceForge here — note that this particular mirror link points to an older 4.1.14 Danish-language Windows build, so for a current English installer most New Zealand readers should start with the official download page above instead.

How do you check the download is genuine?

Verify the file before you run it if security matters to you. The project publishes checksums (short digital fingerprints such as SHA-256 hashes) and digital signatures for every installer. After downloading, you can generate the hash of your file and confirm it matches the published value; if the two differ, the file is corrupt or tampered with and should be deleted. On Windows you can use the built-in certutil command, and macOS and Linux include shasum for the same job. For most home users a download from the official site over a secure connection is safe enough, but the check is worth doing on shared, work or government machines where a tampered installer would be a serious risk.

How do you install OpenOffice?

Installation is straightforward on every platform once the download finishes. Close any other office programs first, then follow the steps for your system.

Windows

Double-click the downloaded .exe file, let it unpack the installation files, then follow the setup wizard — accept the licence, choose a typical install and wait for it to finish. When Windows shows a security prompt asking whether to allow the app to make changes, confirm it, since you are installing software.

macOS

Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the OpenOffice icon into your Applications folder. The official builds are compiled for Intel Macs, so on an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3 or later) you will need Rosetta 2, Apple’s translation layer, which macOS usually offers to install automatically the first time you open the app. The first launch may also ask you to confirm you want to open an app downloaded from the internet.

Linux

Extract the downloaded archive, then install the packages it contains using your distribution’s package manager (the download includes DEB packages for Debian and Ubuntu-based systems and RPM packages for Fedora and similar). Many Linux distributions ship LibreOffice by default, so check whether you really need OpenOffice as well before installing.

Across all three systems the whole process takes only a few minutes on a typical broadband connection. If you are replacing an older copy of OpenOffice, it is usually fine to install the new version straight over the top, but back up any important documents first as a precaution. Once installed, launch the Start Center to pick which of the six applications you want to open, or open an existing file directly and OpenOffice will choose the right program for you.

What is included in OpenOffice?

OpenOffice bundles six integrated applications that share a common look and can exchange data with each other. You install them all together; there is no separate download for each one.

• Writer is the word processor, used for anything from a short letter to a full book, with styles, tables, mail merge and PDF export. It saves to ODT by default and can read and write Word files; you can also convert ODT documents to PDF straight from the program.
• Calc is the spreadsheet, with formulas, charts, pivot tables and data analysis tools. Its native format is the OpenDocument Spreadsheet (ODS) file, and it opens Excel workbooks too.
• Impress is the presentation tool for building slideshows with animations and transitions. It uses the ODP presentation format and can export to PowerPoint or PDF.
• Draw is a vector graphics and diagramming application for flowcharts, floor plans and simple illustrations.
• Base is a database manager for creating and editing tables, forms, queries and reports. It needs a Java runtime for some functions.
• Math is an editor for writing mathematical and scientific formulas, which you can drop into the other applications.

What are the system requirements?

OpenOffice is light by modern standards and runs comfortably on older hardware, which is one reason schools and community organisations keep using it. The official minimum requirements are modest.

A Java Runtime Environment (Oracle Java 8 or OpenJDK 8 or newer is recommended) is required for some features, most notably parts of the Base database application and certain wizards. You can use the rest of the suite without Java installed.

Is OpenOffice really free?

Yes — OpenOffice is completely free, with no licence fees, trials or subscriptions. It is released under the Apache License 2.0, a permissive open-source licence, so you can use it for private, educational, commercial or public-sector work at no cost. You can install it on as many computers as you like and share copies freely. There is no account to create and no personal data sent to a vendor, which is a meaningful privacy advantage over cloud suites. The trade-off is that support comes from community forums and documentation rather than a paid help desk.

“Free” here means both free of charge and free as in freedom: the Apache 2.0 licence also lets developers study the code and build their own versions. For everyday users the practical upshot is simple — you download it once and it keeps working, with no renewal reminders, feature paywalls or usage limits. That makes it genuinely useful for anyone who only needs the software occasionally, such as writing the odd letter, keeping a household budget or printing a one-off presentation, and who would resent paying a monthly fee for the privilege.

How does OpenOffice compare with the alternatives?

OpenOffice is one of several ways to get office software without paying a Microsoft subscription, and it is not always the best fit. The biggest decision for most New Zealand users is OpenOffice versus LibreOffice, a close relative that split from the same codebase in 2010 and now receives far more frequent updates. Our in-depth comparison of LibreOffice and OpenOffice covers that choice in detail, and if you want the full field, see our roundup of the top OpenOffice alternatives. The table below summarises the main options.

A key practical point: OpenOffice can open modern Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, but it cannot save in the newer .docx, .xlsx and .pptx formats — only the older .doc, .xls and .ppt. If you regularly exchange editable documents with Microsoft Office users, LibreOffice or a cloud suite such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 will handle those formats more cleanly.

What are the most common mistakes when downloading OpenOffice?

Most problems come from the download source and from mismatched expectations rather than from the software itself. Watch for these.

• Downloading from an unofficial site. “Free download” portals often bundle the installer with adware or ask you to run a “download manager”. Stick to openoffice.org, the Microsoft Store, or an official mirror.
• Grabbing an outdated build. Mirror links can point to old versions such as 4.1.14. Confirm you are installing 4.1.16, the current security release.
• Choosing the wrong language or platform. Auto-detection sometimes offers the wrong edition — check the language and operating system before you click download.
• Expecting .docx save support. OpenOffice saves Microsoft formats only in the older .doc/.xls/.ppt variants, which can surprise people who need to return editable .docx files to colleagues.
• Installing on an Apple Silicon Mac without Rosetta 2. The Mac build is Intel-only, so let macOS install Rosetta 2 when prompted.
• Skipping verification. For sensitive environments, check the published checksum rather than assuming any downloaded file is intact.

Who is OpenOffice best for?

OpenOffice suits anyone who wants a genuinely free, offline, no-subscription office suite and values a stable, familiar interface over the latest features. It is a strong fit for older or low-spec computers, for users who prefer their files stored locally rather than in the cloud, and for schools, clubs and community groups working to a tight budget. It is less suited to people who must exchange editable .docx files constantly, who want real-time collaboration, or who expect frequent feature updates — those users are usually better served by LibreOffice or a cloud suite. If OpenOffice meets your needs, it remains a dependable, cost-free choice that has served millions of people for two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Apache OpenOffice safe to download?

Yes, as long as you download it from the official openoffice.org website, the Microsoft Store or an official Apache mirror. The project publishes checksums and digital signatures so you can verify that the installer has not been altered. Avoid third-party “free download” portals, which sometimes bundle unwanted extra software.

What is the latest version of OpenOffice?

The latest release is Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16, published on 10 November 2025. It is a security and maintenance release available in 41 languages for Windows, macOS and Linux. Anyone running an earlier version is advised to update to it.

Does OpenOffice work on Windows 11 and Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. OpenOffice runs on Windows 11, and Windows 10 and 11 users can also install it from the Microsoft Store. On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and later) the Intel-built app runs through Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer, which macOS offers to install automatically the first time you open it.

Can OpenOffice open and save Microsoft Word and Excel files?

OpenOffice can open modern Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, but it can only save them in the older .doc, .xls and .ppt formats, not the newer .docx, .xlsx and .pptx. Its own default format is the open OpenDocument Format. If you need to return editable .docx files, consider LibreOffice or a cloud office suite instead.

What is the difference between OpenOffice and LibreOffice?

Both grew from the same original OpenOffice.org codebase, but LibreOffice split off in 2010 and is now updated far more often, with more features and native support for saving in the newer Microsoft formats. OpenOffice updates less frequently and keeps a more stable, unchanging interface. Both are free and open source.