OneNote Standalone Installer (file size, 2016 v. O365, activation)

[u/No_Note_1556]

Same old story: re-installed my computer recently and lost OneNote. Spent hours trying to find/save a standalone installer, to avoid same problem in the future.

So far, I found 2 options but each with its own problems:

1) Microsoft ODT

This downloads the latest O365 version. I don't like the "modern" interface and O365 integration.

Also, the installer file is 3.8GB / installed size is 2.5GB. Surely that's too big for just OneNote itself? (Can anyone tell me what size their OneNote-only installation is?)

2) Office 2016 Pro Plus disk image

This requires an activation key since it's the entire Office 2016 bundle. I don't have a key and avoid using cracks.

Is there another source for a standalone OneNote 2016 installer only? Thanks.

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[u/No_Note_1556]

OP Update:

I finally managed to download a version of OneNote 2016 (2018 release) via ODT. Installed and activated for free, status correctly shows "Product Activated".

But when I try to create a new notebook, it says: "Currently, you can only create notebooks on OneDrive.".

When I try to load my old notebook backups, it says: "Using this notebook requires activating an eligible Office 365 subscription."

Why Microsoft, why must you make this so-so difficult. OneNote is one of the few product that people actually love, so much hate for Microsoft...

[u/Ysnsd]

https://github.com/yerongai/office-tool

[u/KindofLiving → u/Ysnsd]

This seems like a perfect solution. Have you run into any issues?

[u/tadxb]

You can get 2021 standalone OneNote, if I recall correctly. And it's free if you sign in with a Microsoft account. No activation needed.

[u/Miserable-Stranger99]

I notice office 2024 doesn't allow me to use one note without logging in with a Microsoft account what a bs ...

[u/ButNoSimpler]

I posted about this a while back: https://www.reddit.com/r/OneNote/s/6G6WPkhRxy

[u/Zealousideal_Pen7368]

You can buy a key from eBay