Microsoft 365 Installation Problems

How to Install Microsoft 365 Without the Original Email Address

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to install an active Microsoft 365 Personal subscription on a new computer, but no longer has access to the original computer or the email address used to purchase the software.

Product: Microsoft 365 Personal
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Installing an existing Microsoft 365 subscription on a new device without access to the original email inbox.
Observed behavior: The user is unsure how to authenticate and download the Microsoft 365 installer on the new computer because the original email address is no longer available.

Before you start

Make sure you still remember the password for the original Microsoft account, as you will need it to sign in and download the installer on your new computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign in with the Original Account and Update Your Information

You can still log into your Microsoft account using the original email address as your username, even if the email inbox itself is no longer active. Once signed in, you can install Microsoft 365 and update your contact details.

A Microsoft account acts as your login credential. Losing access to the actual email inbox (like a closed work or school email, or an inactive provider) does not delete the Microsoft account itself, provided you know the password.

Sign in to Microsoft

Go to account.microsoft.com on your new computer. Enter your original email address and your Microsoft account password to log in.

Access your subscriptions

Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' tab in the top menu to view your active Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.

Install Microsoft 365

Click the 'Install' button next to your Microsoft 365 subscription. This will download the setup file. Run the downloaded file to install Office on your new computer.

Update your email address (Optional but recommended)

Go to the 'Your info' section of your Microsoft account dashboard. Click 'Edit account info' to add a new email address as an alias, and set it as your primary alias so you can use it for future logins.

Account Recovery: If you do not remember the password and cannot access the original email to reset it, you will need to use the Microsoft Account Recovery form to regain access to your subscription.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If you are unable to recover your Microsoft account or want to avoid subscription management entirely, WPS Office is a lightweight, fully-featured alternative. It allows you to create and edit documents immediately without forcing complex account setups.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installation file on your new computer and follow the quick setup wizard.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files with full compatibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall Microsoft 365 from my old computer first?

No. With Microsoft 365 Personal, you can install the software on multiple devices and be signed in on up to 5 devices at the same time. You do not need to uninstall it from the broken or unavailable computer.

Can I transfer my Microsoft 365 subscription to a completely new Microsoft account?

Microsoft does not allow direct transfers of active subscriptions between different Microsoft accounts. Instead, you should add a new email address to your existing account as an alias, make it primary, and remove the old one.

What if I forgot the password and don't have the original email?

If you lack both the password and access to the recovery email, you must fill out the Microsoft Account Recovery Form online. Providing details like billing information and past passwords can help verify your identity.

Installation & Activation