Product Key Issues

How Many Times Can an Office 2013 Professional Plus Key Be Used?

Amos Gikunda Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to determine the installation and activation limits for a Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus product key.

How Many Times Can an Office 2013 Professional Plus Key Be Used?

Product: Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Planning to reinstall or install Office 2013 on multiple devices using the same product key.
Observed behavior: Needs clarification on licensing terms to avoid activation failures or licensing violations.

Before you start

Check whether your Office 2013 Professional Plus license is a retail copy (often restricted to 1 PC) or a Volume License provided by your organization, as this determines your usage limits.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand Retail vs. Volume Licensing Activation Limits

The number of permitted activations depends directly on how the Office 2013 license was originally purchased.

Retail licenses (like those bought directly from a retailer or bundled with a single PC) are typically restricted to one computer at a time. If you uninstall the software or your PC hardware fails, you can transfer the license to a new device, but only one active installation is permitted.

Volume licenses, usually purchased by schools or businesses, allow for multiple installations. The exact number of times the key can be used depends on the organization's specific Volume Licensing agreement with Microsoft.

Identify your license type

Check your purchase receipt, original packaging, or contact your organization's IT department to confirm if you hold a Retail or Volume license.

Adhere to retail limitations

If you have a standard Retail license, ensure Office 2013 is only installed on one computer. If you need it on a new device, you must uninstall it from the old device first.

Resolve activation errors

If you reinstall Office 2013 and receive a 'Maximum activations reached' error, choose the 'Activate by telephone' option in the Activation Wizard to contact Microsoft Support for a manual override.

Understand Retail vs. Volume Licensing Activation Limits

End of Support Notice: Microsoft officially ended support for Office 2013 on April 11, 2023. It no longer receives security updates, making it vulnerable to risks. Upgrading to a supported office suite is highly recommended.

Solution 2

Transfer a Retail License to a New PC

If you have a single-use retail key, you can move it to a new computer by following the correct transfer process without violating the license terms.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Upgrade to WPS Office for Free

Since Microsoft Office 2013 has reached its end of support and managing old product keys can be frustrating, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fully compatible, and free alternative with no complicated activation limits.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Office 2013 files without any formatting loss or activation prompts.

Seamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX).Completely free to download and use without dealing with strict product key activation limits.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly even on older computers that previously ran Office 2013.Familiar user interface ensures a seamless migration with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Office 2013 Professional Plus key on two computers at the same time?

If you have a standard Retail license, no. You are only permitted to have it installed and activated on one computer at a time. Volume licenses, however, may allow multiple simultaneous installations depending on the specific agreement your organization has with Microsoft.

What should I do if my Office 2013 activation fails with a 'limit reached' error?

If you are reinstalling Office on the same PC after a hardware change or transferring it to a new one, select the option to activate by telephone in the Activation Wizard. The automated phone system will help you verify that the software is only installed on one machine and complete the activation.

Is Microsoft Office 2013 still supported by Microsoft?

No, Microsoft officially ended all support for Office 2013 on April 11, 2023. This means the software no longer receives security patches, bug fixes, or technical support, making it increasingly vulnerable to security risks.

Installation & Activation