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How to Install Office Home & Student After a Microsoft 365 Trial
Question details
The user wants to install a purchased Microsoft Office Home & Student license on a new computer that came with a preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial, without causing activation conflicts.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows PC
- Scenario
- Setting up a new computer (such as a Dell) with a purchased perpetual Office license instead of using the preinstalled subscription trial.
- Observed behavior
- Potential installation and activation conflicts occur between the preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial and the newly purchased Office Home & Student license.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your purchased Office Home & Student license before making any software changes.
Uninstall the Microsoft 365 Trial and Install Office Home & Student
Removing the preinstalled trial version before installing your purchased license is the most effective way to prevent activation and installation conflicts.
Many new computers come with a pre-installed trial of Microsoft 365. If you try to install a perpetual license like Office Home & Student without removing the trial first, the system may struggle to determine which license to activate.
Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services in your web browser and log in with your Microsoft account to verify that your Office Home & Student purchase is successfully linked.
Click the Start menu on your computer and navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Scroll through the app list to find the preinstalled Microsoft 365 software. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to completely remove it.
Return to your Microsoft account services page (account.microsoft.com/services), locate your Office Home & Student license, and click the Install button. Run the downloaded setup file to complete the installation.
Use WPS Office as a Seamless, Free Alternative
If you want to avoid Microsoft licensing conflicts and subscription pop-ups on your new computer, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative to Microsoft 365 and Office Home & Student.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your new computer.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Office documents without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I absolutely have to uninstall Microsoft 365 before installing Office Home & Student?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Having both versions installed simultaneously often causes activation conflicts, default app errors, and persistent prompts to subscribe to Microsoft 365.
Will uninstalling the Microsoft 365 trial delete my saved documents?
No, uninstalling Microsoft 365 only removes the application software from your device. All your saved documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will remain safe on your hard drive.
How do I know if my Office Home & Student license is active?
You can verify your license status by logging into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/services. Your purchased products and their current activation status will be clearly listed there.
