Product Key Issues

How to Reactivate Office 2013 Without the Original Product Key

Amos Gikunda Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore their Microsoft Office 2013 activation after a repair or complete reinstallation but no longer has access to the original physical product key.

How to Reactivate Office 2013 Without the Original Product Key

Product: Microsoft Office 2013
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reinstalling or repairing Microsoft Office 2013 and needing to activate the software without entering the original 25-character product key.
Observed behavior: The installation prompts for a product key, but the user cannot complete the setup because the physical key or purchase email is unavailable.

Before you start

Ensure you have the email address and password for the Microsoft account that was originally used to purchase or register your copy of Office 2013.

Solution 1Recommended

Reactivate Using Your Linked Microsoft Account

Since Office 2013 licenses are bound to a digital account, you can reinstall and activate it directly from the Microsoft Services and Subscriptions page without the physical key.

When you first install and activate Office 2013, the product key is permanently linked to your Microsoft account. Therefore, any subsequent reinstallations only require you to sign in with that specific account.

Access Microsoft Services

Open a web browser and navigate to account.microsoft.com/services.

Sign in to Your Account

Locate Your Subscription

Scroll to the 'Services & subscriptions' section and find your Microsoft Office 2013 license.

Download and Install

Click the 'Install' button next to your Office 2013 product to download the setup file, then run the installer.

Activate Office

Once the installation is complete, launch any Office application (such as Word). If prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account to automatically restore activation.

Reactivate Using Your Linked Microsoft Account

End of Support Notice: Microsoft Office 2013 has reached the end of its support lifecycle. You will no longer receive security updates, so it is highly recommended to upgrade to a newer version or use a secure alternative.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Office for the Web

If you cannot recover the original Microsoft account or the product key is entirely lost, you can use the free online versions of Office applications.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office as a Free and Lightweight Alternative

If your Office 2013 product key is permanently lost and you want to avoid expensive upgrades, WPS Office is an excellent, free alternative. It provides a familiar interface, completely eliminates activation headaches, and allows you to continue working on your documents locally.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the straightforward on-screen setup instructions.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without needing to format or convert them.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Free to download and use for all basic editing tasksLightweight installation that runs smoothly even on older devicesNo complex product key activation required

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a generic product key found online to activate Office 2013?

No. Using generic product keys found online is not recommended. These keys are often invalid, region-specific, or enterprise volume keys that will eventually fail activation and could compromise your software security.

Will reinstalling Office 2013 delete my Outlook folders and rules?

For modern Exchange-based email accounts, your settings, folders, and rules are stored on the server and will synchronize automatically after you sign in. If you are using POP3 or IMAP, it is best to back up your Outlook Data File (.pst) before proceeding.

What does it mean that Office 2013 is no longer supported?

It means Microsoft no longer provides technical support, bug fixes, or security updates for Office 2013. Continuing to use it may expose your computer to security vulnerabilities, which is why upgrading or switching to an updated alternative is recommended.

Installation & Activation