How to Deactivate and Reuse Office 2019, 2016, and 2013 Product Keys
Question details
The user wants to know how to unlink Office Home & Business product keys from former employees or old devices to reuse them for new installations.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019, 2016, 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to transfer an existing Microsoft Office license to a new employee or device within an organization.
- Observed behavior
- The product key is permanently tied to the original Microsoft account used during setup, preventing direct reuse or reassignment via the product key alone.
Gather the original Microsoft account credentials used during the first setup and ensure you have the original 25-character product key and proof of purchase handy.
Reinstall Office Using the Linked Microsoft Account
Since product keys are redeemed only once, future installations must be handled via the Microsoft account associated with the initial setup.
Microsoft Office Home & Business product keys are permanently linked to the Microsoft account used during the first installation. You cannot simply enter the key on a new computer. Instead, you must log in with that specific account to reinstall the software on a new device.
Go to the official Microsoft Account website and sign in with the email and password credentials used during the initial Office setup.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section from the top menu of your account dashboard.
Locate your Office product in the list of owned software and click the 'Install' button to download the setup file to the new device.
Request License Reassignment via Microsoft Support
If you do not have access to the original Microsoft account (e.g., it was tied to a former employee's personal email), you must contact support to attempt a manual deactivation.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Complex License Management
Managing strict one-time-use product keys for employee turnover can be frustrating and costly. WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible, and flexible alternative that eliminates complicated account-binding restrictions while supporting all core Microsoft Office file formats.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software without entering complex product keys.
- 3. Open Existing Files: Right-click any of your existing Microsoft Office documents and select 'Open with WPS Office' to continue working with full formatting preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Office 2019 product key on two computers at once?
No, Office Home & Business 2019, 2016, and 2013 are strictly licensed for one device at a time. To install the software on a second computer, you must first completely uninstall it from the original device.
How do I find out which Microsoft account is linked to my product key?
Microsoft does not provide a public lookup tool to find the email associated with a product key due to privacy and security reasons. You will need to log into the 'Services & subscriptions' page of any Microsoft accounts your organization uses to manually check where the product is registered.
What happens if a former employee linked the Office license to their personal account?
If an employee bound the license to a personal email address, you cannot transfer it yourself. You must contact Microsoft Support with your official proof of purchase to request that they manually deactivate the key and reassign the license to your corporate account.
Does uninstalling Office automatically deactivate the product key?
No. Uninstalling the software removes the application from your device, but it does not deactivate the permanent link between the product key and the Microsoft account. You must still log in to that exact same Microsoft account to reinstall the software on a new device.
