Software
You can easily download the Lync Meeting Add-In for Microsoft Office 2013 to join calls straight from Outlook, Word, or PowerPoint without needing an upgrade.
If you're still using Office 2013 but need to integrate Lync Meetings, this legacy add-in is your solution—just be aware it’s no longer officially supported. Below, I’ll walk you through the direct download link, system requirements, and what to do if installation fails.
How to download and install the Lync Meeting add-in for Office 2013
The Lync Meeting Add-In for Office 2013 lets you join meetings directly from Outlook, Word, or PowerPoint—but Microsoft no longer hosts it directly. I’ll guide you through the official download process, system requirements, and troubleshooting steps to ensure compatibility with your 32-bit or 64-bit setup.
Since this is a legacy tool, we’ll also cover alternative methods if the add-in fails to install.
Before diving in, confirm your Office 2013 version (32-bit or 64-bit) and Windows OS (7/8.1/10). The add-in works best with Office 2013 SP1 or later and Lync 2013 installed on your machine.
If you’re missing these, we’ll address that too. Let’s get started with the official download link and installation steps.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Microsoft has deprecated Lync in favor of Microsoft Teams, so this add-in may not receive updates. If you’re on a supported Windows 10/11 system, consider upgrading to Teams for Office instead. For now, here’s how to install the legacy add-in.
Visit Microsoft’s archive download page (or use this direct link: Lync 2013 Meeting Add-in for Office 2013). Choose the 32-bit or 64-bit version matching your Office 2013 installation.
Download and install Lync 2013 from Microsoft’s archive (Lync 2013 Desktop Client). This is required for the add-in to function.
Double-click the downloaded AddInSetup.exe file. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. Ensure you’re running the installer as Administrator to avoid permission errors.
Open Word or Outlook and go to File > Account. If you see a prompt to install updates, apply Office 2013 SP1 or later from Microsoft’s update catalog.
In Outlook, go to File > Options > Add-ins. Under Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go. Check the box for Lync Meeting Add-in and restart Outlook.
Open a new email in Outlook and click the Lync Meeting button in the ribbon. If the add-in works, you’ll see a meeting invite with a Join Lync Meeting link.
If the add-in fails to load, check your Office 2013 compatibility mode. Right-click the AddInSetup.exe file, select Properties > Compatibility, and enable Run this program in Windows 7 mode if using Windows 10/11. This often resolves DLL or registry conflicts.
For 64-bit Office 2013 users, ensure your Lync 2013 installation is also 64-bit. Mixing architectures can cause the add-in to fail silently. If you’re unsure, check your Office installation path—32-bit installs go to C:\Program Files (x86), while 64-bit installs use C:\Program Files.
Once installed, the add-in will appear in the Outlook ribbon under the Home tab, allowing you to start or join Lync meetings with a single click.
If you encounter activation errors, revisit Step 5 and ensure the add-in is checked in both COM Add-ins and Disabled Items (also in File > Options > Add-ins).
Remember, this add-in is legacy software with limited support. If you’re on a modern Windows 10/11 system, consider migrating to Microsoft Teams for better security and features. For now, this guide ensures your Office 2013 stays functional with Lync Meetings.
Common issues and fixes when adding Lync to Office 2013
If you’ve installed the Lync Meeting Add-In for Office 2013 but still face issues, you’re not alone. Many users encounter problems like missing add-ins in Outlook or activation failures due to outdated Windows 7/8.1 systems or unpatched Office 2013 SP1+. Let’s troubleshoot these common roadblocks step by step.
The Lync Add-In relies on specific Office 2013 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later, and some features may fail if your system lacks critical updates. Before diving into fixes, verify your Office version and Windows updates—this alone resolves 60% of compatibility issues.
Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features to check your Office 2013 build number.
⚠️ callout-warning
One frequent issue is the add-in not appearing in Outlook or Word. This often happens if the add-in is disabled or blocked by trusted location settings. Navigate to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Add-ins.
Under Manage, select COM Add-ins and enable Microsoft Lync Meeting Add-in.
If the add-in installs but crashes during use, your Lync client may be outdated. Download the latest Lync 2013 client from Microsoft’s archive (if still available) or use Skype for Business as a temporary workaround. Ensure your Lync client version matches your Office 2013 build—mismatches cause instability.
For Windows 8.1 users, another common issue is UAC (User Account Control) blocking the add-in. Temporarily disable UAC by typing UAC in the Search bar, selecting Change User Account Control settings, and sliding the bar to Never notify.
Reboot and retry the add-in installation. Remember to re-enable UAC afterward for security.
Finally, if you’re still stuck, try a clean reinstall. Uninstall the Lync Add-In via Control Panel, then manually delete leftover files in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\. Reboot, then reinstall the add-in from the official Microsoft source. This often fixes corrupted installation files that cause silent failures.