Product Key Issues

How to Claim Office Home and Student 2021 Included with Your Laptop

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to claim a pre-installed or device-included copy of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 on a new laptop, but may encounter missing activation prompts or conflicts with existing linked licenses.

Product: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Setting up a new laptop that comes with a free or included Microsoft Office 2021 license and attempting to link it to a Microsoft account.
Observed behavior: The user seeks the correct procedure to redeem the device-included Office 2021 license, potentially facing issues where the license does not appear in the Microsoft Store or redirects to Word without an activation prompt.

Before you start

Ensure your new laptop is connected to a stable internet connection and that you have your primary Microsoft account login credentials ready before attempting to redeem the software.

Solution 1Recommended

Redeem Office 2021 via Microsoft Store

Use the built-in Microsoft Store on your new laptop to locate and claim the included Office license.

Windows laptops that come with a pre-included Microsoft Office license manage the redemption process through the Microsoft Store. This method securely links the software to your personal Microsoft account.

Open the Microsoft Store

Click the Start button on your Windows taskbar, search for 'Microsoft Store', and open the application.

Navigate to Your Library

Click on the 'Library' icon located in the bottom-left corner of the Microsoft Store window.

Select Device-Included Offers

Look for a tab or section labeled 'Device-Included' or 'Included with device' and click on it.

Verify Your Account and Claim

Ensure you are signed in with the correct Microsoft account. Locate Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 in the list and click the 'Claim' or 'Redeem' button.

Multiple Licenses Supported: One Microsoft account can own multiple Office products. You can safely claim this new license even if you have older Office versions linked to the same account.

Solution 2

Resolve License Conflicts with OSPP.VBS

Clear conflicting Office license data and run a repair if your included Office 2021 does not appear in the Microsoft Store Library.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Document Experience

If you are struggling with complex Microsoft Office license claiming steps or activation errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a completely free, lightweight alternative that lets you create and edit documents immediately.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your laptop.
3. Open and Edit: Launch WPS Office to immediately start creating, opening, and editing your documents without activation hurdles.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No complicated license claiming or activation processes required.Lightweight design ensures smooth performance even on older laptops.Familiar tabbed user interface makes migration seamless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link multiple Office licenses to a single Microsoft account?

Yes, Microsoft allows a single account to own multiple Office products. You just need to ensure you select the correct license when installing or activating Office on your devices.

Why is the Device-Included option missing in my Microsoft Store Library?

The Device-Included option only appears if your laptop manufacturer securely provisioned an Office license to the device's hardware. If it is missing, ensure Windows is fully updated, clear conflicting licenses using OSPP.VBS, and try running the Office repair tool.

What happens if clicking Claim redirects me directly to Word?

If you are redirected to Word without an activation prompt, the license may have automatically applied. Open a blank document, click on 'File', and select 'Account' to verify if the Office Home and Student 2021 license is actively linked to your account.

Installation & Activation