Activation Problems

Fix Office 2013 Apps Crashing After First Things First Screen

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing crashes with Microsoft Office 2013 applications immediately following the 'First Things First' setup prompt, often accompanied by product key requests, while OneNote continues to function normally.

Product: Microsoft Office 2013
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Launching Microsoft Office 2013 applications and passing the initial setup screen.
Observed behavior: Office 2013 apps crash after displaying the 'First Things First' screen or request a product key, but OneNote remains fully functional without requiring activation.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, ensure you have your original Office 2013 product key or Microsoft account credentials handy, and verify whether your version of OneNote is the pre-installed Windows app or part of the Office suite.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Your OneNote Version and Office Activation Status

Determine if OneNote is functioning because it is the free Windows version rather than the Office 2013 version, and check the activation status of your main Office suite.

In many cases, the OneNote application that continues to work is actually the free 'OneNote for Windows' app that comes pre-installed with Windows 8 or 10, not the version bundled with Office 2013. This explains why it operates without the Office activation key.

Check the OneNote version

Open the working OneNote application and navigate to 'File' > 'Account' (or check the app settings) to see if it is the free pre-installed Windows version or the desktop version included with Office 2013.

Launch Office apps in Safe Mode

Press and hold the 'CTRL' key while clicking on the Word or Excel shortcut to open it in Safe Mode. This can help bypass the crash screen.

Activate the Office Suite

If you successfully bypass the crash in Safe Mode, go to 'File' > 'Account' and enter your valid 25-character Office 2013 product key, or sign in with your linked Microsoft account to complete the 'First Things First' setup.

Solution 2

Repair the Office 2013 Installation

Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Office files that might be causing the application to crash at the 'First Things First' screen.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Activation Crashes

If your Office 2013 apps keep crashing or you no longer have your activation key, try WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that does not require complicated activation steps.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the lightweight installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the suite on your computer.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any format loss or activation crashes.

Free to use without complex product key activations or 'First Things First' setups.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Lightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.All-in-one suite combining Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote work when my other Office 2013 apps crash?

Modern Windows operating systems often include a free, pre-installed app called 'OneNote for Windows'. This version runs entirely independently of your desktop Office 2013 suite and does not require an Office product key to function.

What is the 'First Things First' screen in Office 2013?

The 'First Things First' screen is the initial setup prompt that appears when you launch an Office 2013 application for the first time. It asks you to accept the software license agreement, configure automatic update settings, and occasionally prompts for product activation.

Can I bypass the Office 2013 activation screen?

You can sometimes temporarily close the activation screen, but Office 2013 requires a valid product key or a Microsoft account login for continuous use. Without activation, the software will eventually enter reduced functionality mode where you cannot edit or save documents.

How do I find my lost Office 2013 product key?

Your 25-character product key is typically located on a card inside the original retail packaging, in the purchase confirmation email from Microsoft, or tied digitally to your Microsoft account under the 'Services & subscriptions' section online.

Installation & Activation