Activation Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Office Showing Buy Option After Factory Reset

Partner Editor Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to reactivate a pre-installed version of Microsoft Office that is prompting for a new license purchase after a system factory reset.

How to Fix Microsoft Office Showing a Buy Option After a Factory Reset

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user performed a factory reset on a computer that came with Microsoft Office pre-installed.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Office prompts the user to purchase a license instead of automatically activating the pre-installed version.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active internet connection and gather any purchase documentation, emails, or Microsoft account details associated with your computer before attempting to reactivate Office.

Solution 1Recommended

Reactivate Office Using Your Linked Microsoft Account

Since most modern pre-installed Office licenses are linked to a digital Microsoft account, logging in with the correct credentials often restores access.

When you first set up your computer, the included Microsoft Office license is typically tied to the Microsoft account used during the initial Windows configuration. Signing into this exact account allows Microsoft's servers to verify your digital entitlement.

Open an Office application

Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word or Excel, from your Start menu.

Navigate to the sign-in prompt

Click on 'Sign in' when the activation window appears, or go to 'File' and select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.

Enter your credentials

Input the email address and password of the Microsoft account that you originally used to set up the computer.

Complete activation

Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your identity. Once verified, Office will automatically retrieve your license and activate.

Reactivate Office Using Your Linked Microsoft Account

Account Check: If you are unsure which account is linked, check your email inboxes for past confirmation emails or welcome messages from Microsoft.

Solution 2

Activate Using the Original Product Key

If your computer came with a physical card or an email containing a 25-character product key, you can use it to activate Office manually.

Solution 3

Contact Your Computer Manufacturer for License Recovery

If Office was integrated by the manufacturer and neither your account nor a product key works, the manufacturer can help restore the digital entitlement.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative Without Licensing Hassles

If you cannot recover your original Microsoft Office license, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a completely free, lightweight alternative that provides a familiar user interface and prevents the headache of complicated activation processes after system resets.

No complicated activation or lost licenses after performing a factory reset.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on almost any desktop or laptop.Familiar, easy-to-use interface that requires no learning curve to master.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my pre-installed Office disappear after a factory reset?

A factory reset wipes all third-party applications and user data from your primary drive, returning the system to its out-of-box state. While the operating system is restored, standalone software like Microsoft Office must be downloaded, reinstalled, and reactivated.

How do I find out which Microsoft account is linked to my Office purchase?

Check your email history for messages from Microsoft regarding Office activation or billing. You can also log into account.microsoft.com with your suspected email addresses and check the 'Services & subscriptions' tab to see if the Office license is actively listed.

Will I have to pay again if I lost my Office product key?

Not necessarily. If your license was a digital entitlement tied to your Microsoft account or your device's motherboard by the manufacturer, signing in with the correct account or contacting the computer manufacturer can restore it without you having to buy a new copy.

Installation & Activation