Office Installation Errors

How to Install Office Included With a Computer After Trial Expires

Elise Williams Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to locate and activate a pre-included version of Microsoft Office on a new computer after the initial trial or redemption window has passed.

How to Install Office Included With a Computer After the Trial Expires

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to claim a pre-installed Microsoft Office license or subscription after missing the initial trial redemption window.
Observed behavior: The prompt to install or activate the included Office software is no longer visible, and the user is unsure how to access the license.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed in with the original Microsoft account used during the initial setup of your computer and check that your device has a stable internet connection.

Solution 1Recommended

Claim Your Included Office License via Microsoft Store or Account

Use the Microsoft Store or your Microsoft account dashboard to find and claim the digital license tied to your device.

Many modern computers include a digital license attached to the device's hardware rather than a physical product key. This license can often still be claimed from the Microsoft Store even if the desktop notification has expired.

Open the Microsoft Store

Click the Start menu, type 'Microsoft Store', and press Enter to open the application.

Navigate to Your Library

Click on the 'Library' icon located in the bottom-left corner of the Microsoft Store window. Look for a tab or section labeled 'Included with device' to see available Office offers.

Check Your Microsoft Account

If the license isn't in the Store, open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com/services. Sign in with your Microsoft account to see if an Office license or Microsoft 365 subscription is linked to your profile.

Install Office

Once you locate the license in either location, click the 'Install' or 'Claim' button and follow the on-screen prompts to download and set up Office on your computer.

Claim Your Included Office License via Microsoft Store or Account

Activation Process: Once claimed, the license becomes permanently tied to your Microsoft account, allowing you to reinstall it from the Services and Subscriptions page in the future.

Solution 2

Contact Your Computer Manufacturer for Licensing Details

If you cannot locate the digital license, the manufacturer can confirm your purchase details and provide specific redemption instructions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office: A Free, Lightweight, and Highly Compatible Alternative

If you cannot recover your included Microsoft Office license or the redemption offer has permanently expired, WPS Office provides a completely free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative to get your work done.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple setup wizard to complete the installation.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with perfect formatting preservation.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files.Includes Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and built-in PDF editing tools in a single workspace.Completely free to use without mandatory subscriptions or complex licensing terms.Lightweight design ensures fast installation and smooth performance on any new computer.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when a computer comes with Office included?

It means the computer manufacturer bundled a software license with your hardware purchase. This could be a digital license tied to the device, a one-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription, or a physical redemption code card inside the box.

Can I still claim my Office license if the desktop prompt disappeared?

Yes. Even if the initial setup notification is gone, you can usually claim your bundled license by opening the Microsoft Store app and navigating to the 'Library' or 'Included with device' section.

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

The license may not have been claimed yet, or you might be signed into a different Microsoft account than the one used during the initial Windows setup. Always verify you are using the primary account associated with the device.

Does an included Office license ever expire?

If it is a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription, the subscription itself will expire a year after activation. If it is a perpetual license (like Office Home & Student), the software does not expire, but the manufacturer may impose a time limit (often 180 days) on how long you have to claim the offer after activating Windows.

Installation & Activation