Product Key Issues

How to Recover Office Home and Student 2016 After a Windows Reset

Maira Mehtab Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover a preinstalled version of Office Home and Student 2016 after resetting Windows, but lacks the original Microsoft account credentials, access to the recovery phone number, and only has the physical laptop sticker.

How to Recover Office Home and Student 2016 After a Windows Reset

Product: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016
Device & OS: Windows (HP laptop)
Scenario: Reinstalling or resetting Windows on a laptop where Office 2016 was previously preinstalled by the manufacturer.
Observed behavior: Office 2016 disappeared after the Windows reinstall, and the software cannot be reactivated without the forgotten Microsoft account credentials.

Before you start

Gather any details you might remember about your Microsoft account, such as alternative email addresses or old passwords, because preinstalled Office licenses are permanently linked to the account used during the initial device setup.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Microsoft Store and Recover Microsoft Account

Since preinstalled Office licenses are tied to your Microsoft account, checking the Microsoft Store's device-included software and recovering your account is the most direct path to getting your software back.

A physical Office sticker on the computer only indicates that the device shipped with a license; it does not contain the product key itself. To activate Office 2016, you must regain access to the linked Microsoft account.

Check Microsoft Store Digital Attach

Open the Microsoft Store app on your HP laptop. Click on 'Library' in the bottom left corner, then navigate to 'Included with devices' to see if your Office license can be claimed or downloaded directly from the hardware profile.

Access the Microsoft Account Recovery Page

If the Store requires a login, go to the Microsoft Account Recovery page (account.live.com/acsr) in your web browser. Enter any known previous email addresses, Skype IDs, or phone numbers associated with you.

Submit the Account Recovery Form

Fill out as much information as possible, including previous passwords, Outlook email contacts, or Xbox account details, to prove ownership. Once Microsoft verifies your identity and restores account access, log in to download and activate Office 2016.

Check Microsoft Store and Recover Microsoft Account

Account Recovery Limitations: If you cannot provide sufficient evidence to recover the account through the automated form, Microsoft support will not manually grant access, meaning the Office license tied to that account is permanently lost.

Solution 2

Contact HP Support for Preinstalled Software Recovery

If Office came preinstalled on your HP laptop, HP support might offer a way to restore the original factory software image.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Lost Your Office 2016 License? Try WPS Office for Free

If you are unable to recover your Microsoft account and don't want to purchase a brand-new Office license, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. You can instantly create, edit, and save Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without worrying about complex licensing, forgotten accounts, or activation keys.

1. Download the Free Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick installation prompts. No complicated license keys are required.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents to resume your work seamlessly.

Completely free to use for essential word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.Highly compatible with all major Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Familiar tabbed user interface makes it easy to switch without learning new software.Lightweight design ensures fast installation and smooth operation on any Windows laptop.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reinstall Office 2016 with just the sticker on my laptop?

No. Starting from Office 2016, product keys are strictly linked to a digital Microsoft account. The sticker on your PC only serves to indicate that the device originally came with an Office license; you still need the correct Microsoft account credentials to reinstall and activate it.

What if Microsoft rejects my account recovery request?

If you cannot provide enough evidence (like old passwords or email contacts) to recover your account through the recovery form, Microsoft will not grant access. In this case, your Office 2016 license cannot be retrieved, and you will need to purchase a new license or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office.

Will a Windows system restore bring back my Office installation?

If you performed a full Windows reinstall or a factory reset that wiped your apps and settings, Office is permanently removed from the hard drive. A simple System Restore to a recent restore point might bring it back, but a full Windows reinstall overwrites the previous software and requires a fresh download from your Microsoft account.

Is Office Home and Student 2016 still supported by Microsoft?

Mainstream support for Office 2016 ended in October 2020. Getting official customer service assistance for activation or recovery issues is increasingly difficult, as Microsoft strongly encourages users to migrate to Microsoft 365.

Installation & Activation