Product Key Issues

How to Find an Office Product Key or License in a Microsoft Account

Natalie Taylor Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to locate their Microsoft Office product key or digital license, specifically after performing a system reset where the key is no longer visible.

How to Find an Office Product Key or License in a Microsoft Account

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reinstalling or reactivating Microsoft Office after a computer reset.
Observed behavior: The user is unable to find the previously used product key or see the active Office license in their account to complete the installation.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials (email address and password) for the exact Microsoft account you originally used to purchase or redeem your Microsoft Office subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate the Office License via Microsoft Account Services

Use this method to verify your Office license online if your product key was previously redeemed and linked to your Microsoft account.

Modern versions of Microsoft Office link the 25-character product key directly to your Microsoft account upon redemption. Once linked, you do not need the physical product key to reinstall or activate the software; you can manage your license directly from the web portal.

Visit the Microsoft Account website

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/services.

Sign in to your account

Check Services & subscriptions

Scroll through the dashboard to locate the 'Services & subscriptions' section. Look for your specific Microsoft Office product version in the list.

Install or view license details

If your Office version is listed, you can view your digital license details or simply click the 'Install' button to download and activate the software on your reset computer without needing the original key.

Locate the Office License via Microsoft Account Services

Missing License: If you do not see your Office license under this section, verify that you are signed in with the correct Microsoft account. Work or school accounts might use a different specialized portal.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

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1. Visit the website: Go to the official WPS Office website to access the free installer.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I bought Office from a third-party retailer and never linked it?

If you purchased a physical copy or a digital code from a third-party retailer and haven't redeemed it yet, you need to find the original email receipt or the physical packaging card. You must then redeem this 25-character key at setup.office.com to permanently link it to your Microsoft account.

Can I extract the product key from my computer's registry?

For older versions like Office 2010, third-party key finder tools could sometimes extract the full key from the Windows registry. However, for Office 2013, Office 2016, Office 2019, and Microsoft 365, only the last five digits of the key are stored locally on the PC, meaning you must rely on your Microsoft account to reinstall.

Why is my Office license not showing up in my Microsoft account?

This commonly occurs if you are signed in with a different email address than the one used for the purchase. It can also happen if the product was a pre-installed OEM version that was never actively linked to an account, or if you are using a volume license provided by an employer or school.

Installation & Activation