Product Key Issues

How to Redeem an Old Microsoft Office Product Key on a New Computer

John Wilson Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to redeem and activate an old Microsoft Office product key on a new computer.

How to Redeem an Old Microsoft Office Product Key on a New Computer

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Installing or moving an older version of Microsoft Office onto a new PC using a 25-character product key.
Observed behavior: The user needs to know the correct process to link the product key to a Microsoft account and download the software, especially if the previous activation history is unknown.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection, your 25-character product key ready, and access to the Microsoft account you intend to link with this Office license.

Solution 1Recommended

Redeem and Install via Office Setup

Use Microsoft's official setup page to link your old product key to your account and download the software onto your new computer.

If you have a retail copy of Microsoft Office, you can transfer it to a new computer by redeeming the key online. Keep in mind that a product key can only be linked to one Microsoft account.

Visit the setup page

Open your web browser and navigate to Office.com/setup or Microsoft365.com/setup.

Sign in to your Microsoft account

Enter the product key

Type your 25-character product key into the provided fields. Do not include hyphens, as the system will format it automatically. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the redemption process.

Download the Office installer

Once the key is successfully redeemed, navigate to Office.com and sign in with the same Microsoft account. Click on the 'Install Office' button to download the setup file to your new computer.

Activate the Office applications

Run the downloaded installer. Once the installation is complete, open any Office app (such as Word or Excel) and sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the software.

Already Redeemed Keys: If you receive an error stating the key has already been used, it means it was previously linked to a Microsoft account. You must sign in to Office.com using the original Microsoft account used during the first activation to download and install Office.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office When Product Keys Fail

If you lost your old Microsoft Office product key, or if the license is an OEM version that cannot be transferred to your new computer, try WPS Office. It provides a comprehensive, free suite of productivity tools that bypasses the hassle of lost activation keys and license transfers.

Completely free to download and use with no complex activation keys required.Seamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight software footprint that installs quickly and runs smoothly on both old and new computers.Familiar, intuitive user interface for an effortless transition from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get an error saying my product key has already been used?

If you receive this error, the product key is already permanently linked to a Microsoft account. You do not need the key anymore; instead, log in to your Microsoft account dashboard under 'Services & subscriptions' using the email originally used to redeem the key, and you can download Office from there.

Do I need to type the hyphens when entering my product key?

No, you do not need to type the hyphens. The Microsoft setup webpage will automatically format the 25-character key correctly as you type the letters and numbers.

Can I transfer an OEM Office license to a new computer?

Typically, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses are permanently tied to the original hardware (motherboard) they were installed on and cannot be legally transferred to a new computer. Only retail copies of Microsoft Office can be moved to a different device.

How do I find out which Microsoft account is associated with my old product key?

For privacy and security reasons, Microsoft does not provide a tool to look up a Microsoft account using just a product key. You will need to try signing in with any personal email addresses you might have used at the time of your original purchase.

Installation & Activation