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How to Fix Office Trial Expired Message on a New Windows 11 PC
Question details
The user is encountering a trial expired notification when trying to open Microsoft Word on a newly purchased Windows 11 computer and wants to know how to resolve it.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Opening a pre-installed Microsoft Word application on a newly purchased PC.
- Observed behavior
- A "Your trial has expired" message appears on the screen, preventing the user from editing or creating documents in Word.
Check your PC's purchase receipt or original documentation to verify whether a full Microsoft Office license was explicitly advertised as included with your computer.
Activate Office with an Existing Product Key
Use this solution if you have already purchased a Microsoft Office license or have a product key included with your PC.
Windows 11 and Microsoft Office are separate products. Many new PCs come with a pre-installed 30-day trial of Microsoft 365. If you own a valid product key, you must link it to your Microsoft account to activate the software.
Find the 25-character product key from your physical receipt, email confirmation, or the Office card included in your computer's packaging.
Open a web browser and navigate to https://setup.office.com.
Sign in with your Microsoft account, enter your 25-character product key, and follow the on-screen instructions to redeem your license.
Open Microsoft Word on your PC, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and the trial expired message will disappear.
Contact the Manufacturer Regarding Missing Licenses
Use this approach if you are certain your new PC was supposed to come with a lifetime Office license but you cannot find a product key.
Uninstall the Expired Trial Version
If you do not plan to purchase Microsoft Office, you can remove the expired trial to stop the annoying pop-up messages.
Switch to WPS Office for a Free, Feature-Rich Experience
If your new Windows 11 PC only came with a temporary Microsoft Office trial, there's no need to pay for an expensive annual subscription. WPS Office provides a lightweight, powerful, and completely free alternative that lets you view, edit, and create professional documents without annoying expiration messages.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick installation wizard.
- 3. Set as default: When prompted, set WPS Office as your default application to automatically open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 come with a free version of Microsoft Office?
No, Windows 11 and Microsoft Office are separate products. While a new Windows 11 PC often comes with a pre-installed 30-day trial of Microsoft 365, a paid license or subscription is required to continue editing documents after the trial ends.
Where can I find my Microsoft Office product key if I purchased one?
If you purchased a physical copy from a retailer, the 25-character product key is usually printed on a card inside the box. If you purchased it digitally, check your email receipt or look at the purchase history within your Microsoft account.
Can I still view my documents if my Office trial expires?
Yes, once your Microsoft Office trial expires, the applications enter a 'read-only' mode. You can still open and view your existing documents or print them, but you will not be able to make edits or create new files until you activate a license or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office.
How do I stop Office from asking for activation every time I start my PC?
To stop the activation prompts completely, you must either activate the software using a valid product key, sign in with a Microsoft account that holds an active subscription, or uninstall the expired trial software from your Windows 11 'Installed apps' settings.
