Software
The Lync Meeting Add-In for Microsoft Office 2013 lets you schedule and join calls straight from Word, Excel, or PowerPoint—but finding the official download can be tricky.
If you’ve ever wasted time bouncing between Outlook and Lync, you know how much smoother collaboration could be. This add-in turns your Office apps into a one-stop hub, but Microsoft’s legacy support pages aren’t always easy to navigate.
Below, I’ll walk you through the direct download link, system requirements, and step-by-step setup so you can get it working in just a few minutes.
Where to download the official Lync Meeting add-in for Microsoft Office 2013
The Lync Meeting Add-In for Microsoft Office 2013 was a critical tool for integrating Skype for Business (Lync) meetings directly into your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint workflows.
Since Microsoft retired Lync in 2017, finding the official download can be tricky—but I’ve tracked down the legacy sources and verified working links for you. This add-in isn’t available through modern Microsoft channels, so you’ll need to use archive repositories or direct download paths.
Microsoft originally distributed the Lync Meeting Add-In as part of the Skype for Business (Lync) 2013 client suite. If you’re running Office 2013 Professional Plus or Office 365 ProPlus, the add-in should auto-install with the Lync client.
However, if you’re using a standalone Office 2013 installation or need a fresh download, you’ll need to dig deeper. Below, I’ll walk you through the official and verified methods to obtain it.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: This add-in is legacy software and may not work on modern systems (Windows 10/11 or Office 2016/2019/365). Use it only if you’re maintaining a Windows 7/8.1 environment with Office 2013 and Lync 2013.
Step 1: Verify System Requirements
Ensure your system meets these minimum specs:
- OS: Windows 7/8.1 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Office: Microsoft Office 2013 (any edition)
- Lync Client: Skype for Business (Lync) 2013 (must be installed first)
Step 2: Download Skype for Business (Lync) 2013
The add-in is bundled with the Lync 2013 client. Download it from Microsoft’s archive portal:
- Visit: Microsoft Lync 2013 Download
- Select the 32-bit or 64-bit version matching your OS.
- Run the installer and complete the setup.
Step 3: Locate the Add-In via Office 2013
After installing Lync 2013, the add-in should auto-appear in your Office apps. If not, manually add it:
- Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2013.
- Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
- At the bottom, select COM Add-Ins and click Go.
- Check Microsoft Lync Meeting Add-in and click OK.
Step 4: Alternative Download via Microsoft Update Catalog
If the add-in is missing, download it directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
- Visit: Microsoft Update Catalog
- Search for "Lync Meeting Add-in for Microsoft Office".
- Download the x86 or x64 version matching your system.
- Run the installer and restart Office apps.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Broken Links or Missing Add-Ins
If links fail or the add-in doesn’t appear:
- Repair Lync 2013: Use Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features to repair the Skype for Business (Lync) 2013 installation.
- Manual Registry Fix: Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync and ensure the AddIn key exists.
- Contact Microsoft Support: For legacy software, use Microsoft’s support portal and reference KB 2688531.
The Lync Meeting Add-In was designed to seamlessly integrate meeting scheduling and document sharing into your Office 2013 workflows. Once installed, you’ll see a Lync tab in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, allowing you to start meetings with a single click.
However, if you’re using modern Windows versions, consider migrating to Microsoft Teams, which offers similar functionality with better compatibility.
For Office 2013 users stuck in legacy environments, the add-in remains a game-changer for collaboration. Just ensure you’re running the correct OS and Office versions—mixing Windows 10/11 or Office 2016+ with this add-in will likely cause errors.
If you encounter issues, the Microsoft Update Catalog or Lync 2013 repair tool are your best friends.
Pro tip: If you’re archiving old systems, document your setup process. Legacy software like this often requires specific dependencies, and reinstalling years later can be a nightmare without notes. Store the Lync 2013 installer and add-in files in
How to install and enable the Lync add-in in Office 2013 applications
Once you’ve downloaded the Lync Meeting Add-In for Microsoft Office 2013, the installation process is straightforward—but it requires attention to detail to avoid common pitfalls. This add-in integrates seamlessly with Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enabling one-click meeting scheduling and document sharing.
Let’s walk through the step-by-step process, including troubleshooting tips for 32-bit vs. 64-bit compatibility and permission errors.
Start by locating the downloaded MSI installer (e.g., LyncMeetingAddin.msi) in your Downloads folder. Right-click the file and select Run as administrator—this step is critical for avoiding access denied errors during installation.
If prompted by your system’s User Account Control (UAC), confirm the action to proceed. The installer will guide you through the process, but manual verification of each Office application is required afterward.
After installation, open each Office application (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to enable the add-in. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Add-ins, then select COM Add-ins from the dropdown. Check the box for Lync Meeting Add-in and click Go.
A dialog will appear—browse to your Office installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\) and select the LyncAddin.dll file. Click OK to load it.
For Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the process is similar: navigate to File > Options > Add-ins, ensure COM Add-ins is selected, and add the same LyncAddin.dll file. Restart each application to finalize integration.
Once enabled, you’ll see a new tab labeled Lync Meeting in the ribbon, offering options to schedule, join, or share meetings directly from your documents.
If the add-in fails to appear, check for missing dependencies. Ensure Microsoft Lync 2013 or Skype for Business is installed on your system—the add-in relies on these clients for functionality. Reboot your PC and retry the steps.
For persistent issues, run the installer again or repair your Office installation via Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Always back up critical documents before making system changes.
Verify integration by creating a test meeting in Outlook. Compose a new email, click the Lync Meeting tab, and select Schedule a Meeting. If the add-in works correctly, you’ll see the meeting details populate automatically, and attendees will receive a join link.
Test sharing a document in Word or Excel by clicking Share > Lync Meeting**—this confirms full functionality across all applications.