Product Key Issues

How to Activate Office 2021 Instead of Microsoft 365 on an HP Computer

Elise Williams Sep 28, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user needs to activate a preinstalled Office 2021 license on a new HP computer, but the system is defaulting to Microsoft 365 subscription prompts.

How to Activate Office 2021 Instead of Microsoft 365 on an HP Computer

Product: Microsoft Office 2021 / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Setting up a newly purchased HP all-in-one computer advertised as including Office 2021 without a physical product key.
Observed behavior: When opening Microsoft Word, the application displays Microsoft 365 terms and prompts for a subscription instead of activating the included Office 2021 license.

Before you start

Verify your HP computer's packaging, receipt, or sales documentation to confirm that a lifetime Office 2021 license was explicitly included with your purchase, as modern PCs use digital licenses linked to the hardware rather than physical product keys.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Claim the Digital License

Remove the preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial version to allow the system to recognize and bind the digital Office 2021 license tied to your HP computer's motherboard.

New computers often come with a preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial that overrides the digital Office 2021 license. You must clear the trial version and its associated keys before the system can properly detect your permanent license.

Uninstall Microsoft 365

Open Windows Settings, navigate to Apps > Installed apps, search for 'Microsoft 365', click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall.

Clear existing product keys

Run the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool or the Office licensing script (ospp.vbs) via Command Prompt to wipe any leftover Microsoft 365 trial keys from the registry.

Claim the device-attached license

Open the Microsoft Store app, click on 'Library' in the bottom left corner, and select 'Device included'. Locate Microsoft Office 2021 and click 'Claim' to link it to your Microsoft account.

Download and install Office 2021

Go to account.microsoft.com/services, sign in with the Microsoft account you used to claim the license, locate Office 2021 in your list of products, and click 'Install'.

Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Claim the Digital License

Digital Product Keys: Do not worry about not having a 25-character physical key. The license is digitally injected into your HP computer's hardware at the factory.

Solution 2

Use the Office Activation Troubleshooter

Use Windows built-in activation tools to force the Office application to check for a device-attached license.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office: A Free, Lightweight Alternative

If your HP computer did not actually include an Office 2021 license and you want to avoid expensive Microsoft 365 subscriptions, WPS Office provides a fully compatible, feature-rich productivity suite for free.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen installation prompts.
3. Start working instantly: Open WPS Office and instantly view, edit, or create documents without worrying about product keys.

100% format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint filesNo subscription fees, hidden charges, or complicated activation scriptsLightweight installation that runs fast and smoothly on all HP computersFamiliar tabbed user interface requiring zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn't my HP computer come with a 25-character Office product key?

Modern HP computers use a Digital Product Key (DPK) that is injected directly into the motherboard during manufacturing. This prevents theft and loss, allowing the software to activate automatically when you sign in with a Microsoft account.

Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my personal files?

No. Uninstalling Microsoft 365 only removes the application files from your computer. All your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and other personal files will remain safely stored on your hard drive.

What should I do if my HP receipt says Office 2021 is included but I cannot claim it?

If the Microsoft Store does not show an included license, contact HP Customer Support with your device's serial number and proof of purchase. The digital license may not have been provisioned correctly during the manufacturing process.

Installation & Activation