Product Key Issues

How to Recover an Office or Outlook 2013 Product Key

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover the original product key for Office or Outlook 2013 to repair or reinstall the software after experiencing frequent crashes.

Product: Microsoft Office 2013 / Outlook 2013
Device & OS: Windows 7
Scenario: Attempting to repair a crashing Outlook 2013 application by locating the original product key for reinstallation.
Observed behavior: Outlook 2013 crashes during mail operations. The product key is missing from the Microsoft account order history, and even if recovered, activation may be revoked because the product has reached its end of life.

Before you start

Keep in mind that Office 2013 has officially reached its end of support, meaning Microsoft no longer provides security updates, bug fixes, or activation assistance. Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready before attempting any account-based recovery.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate the Product Key via Microsoft Account or Purchase Email

Attempt to find the 25-character product key tied to your original purchase to reinstall or repair Office.

If you purchased Office 2013 digitally, your product key should be linked to your Microsoft account or stored in your email history.

Log into your Microsoft Account

Go to the Microsoft account website and sign in using the email address associated with your original Office 2013 purchase.

Check Order History

Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' or 'Payment & billing' section, then select 'Order history' to look for your Office 2013 purchase details.

Search your email

If the key is not in your account dashboard, search your email inbox for keywords like 'Microsoft Office 2013 product key' or 'digital receipt' to find the original confirmation email.

Solution 2

Address Activation and Support Limitations

Understand the limitations of reinstalling and activating an unsupported version of Office.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Upgrade to WPS Office for a Seamless and Supported Experience

Since Office 2013 is no longer supported and activation keys can be revoked or lost, migrating to WPS Office provides a reliable, secure, and modern alternative without a hefty price tag. It offers robust tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations that work perfectly on Windows.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for Windows.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once installed, open WPS Office.
3. Open Your Existing Files: Simply drag and drop your old Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files into WPS Office to continue working with full format compatibility.

Completely free and lightweight, ensuring smooth performance even on older systems like Windows 7.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.No need to worry about outdated product keys, revoked activations, or discontinued support servers.A familiar user interface makes transitioning from Office 2013 quick and effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Office 2013 product key missing from my account?

Microsoft sometimes removes older, unsupported products from the primary view of the account dashboard. It is also possible that the purchase was originally linked to a different Microsoft account.

Can I still use Office 2013 without a product key?

No, Office 2013 requires a valid product key for activation. Without it, the software will enter a reduced functionality mode where you can only view documents but cannot edit or create new ones.

Why was my Office 2013 activation revoked after a repair?

Because Office 2013 has reached its end of support, Microsoft's activation servers may no longer validate old licenses, especially if the software is reinstalled, repaired, or moved to a new device.

Will Microsoft Support help me find my Office 2013 key?

No. Since Office 2013 has officially reached the end of its lifecycle, Microsoft Customer Support no longer provides assistance for activation issues or product key recovery for this version.

Installation & Activation