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Fix Office Professional Plus 2021 Opening Live.com After Windows Reset
Question details
The user needs to restore their desktop Office applications after a system reset caused their installation to redirect to the web-based live.com instead.
- Product
- Office Professional Plus 2021
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Trying to open desktop applications like Word and Excel after performing a Windows reset.
- Observed behavior
- The desktop applications cannot be used normally; instead, attempting to open them redirects the user to live.com.
Ensure you have the login credentials (email and password) for the Microsoft account associated with your original Office Professional Plus 2021 purchase.
Reinstall Office from Your Microsoft Account
Use this solution to restore your missing desktop applications by redownloading them directly from the Microsoft account linked to your license.
A Windows reset typically removes installed third-party desktop programs, including Microsoft Office. The shortcuts left behind often redirect to the free web version (live.com) because the local executable files are missing.
To resolve this, you must reinstall the complete desktop suite from your registered Microsoft account.
Open your preferred web browser and go to account.microsoft.com/services or portal.office.com.
Log in using the exact email address and password that you used to purchase or register your Office Professional Plus 2021 license.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section and scroll down until you find your registered Office Professional Plus 2021 product.
Click the 'Install' button next to the product name. Once the installer downloads, run the file and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall your desktop apps.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Desktop Experience
If reinstalling and reactivating Microsoft Office after a system reset is too time-consuming, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative, ensuring you can quickly open, edit, and save your documents without activation headaches.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your Windows system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the suite.
- 3. Open Your Files: Once installed, simply double-click any of your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them seamlessly in WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office redirect to live.com instead of opening my files locally?
After a Windows reset, your local desktop applications for Office 2021 are uninstalled. The remaining shortcuts often default to opening the free web version of Office (via live.com) because the computer can no longer find the local programs.
Do I have to pay again to reinstall Office Professional Plus 2021 after a reset?
No, you do not need to pay again. As long as your original purchase was linked to your Microsoft account, you can redownload and install the desktop applications from the 'Services & subscriptions' page at account.microsoft.com.
How do I find out which Microsoft account is linked to my Office license?
You can check your email inboxes for original purchase receipts from Microsoft. Alternatively, try logging into account.microsoft.com with any Microsoft email addresses you own and check the 'Services & subscriptions' tab to see if the product is listed.
