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How to Reinstall Microsoft Word or Office Home and Student on Windows 11
Question details
The user needs to reinstall a preinstalled OEM copy of Microsoft Office Home and Student on a Windows 11 computer without repurchasing it.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- The user is attempting to restore or reinstall their preinstalled Microsoft Office suite after it was uninstalled, lost, or corrupted.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to find the original digital license and securely reinstall the software so that Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be fully activated.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the exact Microsoft account that was originally used to activate your preinstalled Office Home and Student suite.
Reinstall Office Using Your Linked Microsoft Account
Use this method if you previously activated your preinstalled Office license and linked it to your Microsoft account.
Preinstalled OEM copies of Microsoft Office are typically converted into a digital license linked to your Microsoft account upon first activation. You can use this account to download the installer at no extra cost.
Open your web browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/services. Sign in using the Microsoft account associated with your Office activation.
Scroll through your list of services and subscriptions to verify that the 'Office Home & Student' license is listed on your account.
Go to https://www.office.com, sign in with the same account, and click the 'Install Office' button near the top right of the screen. Follow the prompts to download the setup file.
Run the downloaded installer. Once the installation is complete, open Microsoft Word and sign in again when prompted to fully activate the software.
Recover Office Using Windows System Restore
Use this method if your Office license is missing from your account and you recently uninstalled the software by accident.
Try WPS Office: A Free and Lightweight Alternative
If you cannot recover your preinstalled Microsoft Office license or forgot your account details, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides powerful, user-friendly tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations without requiring expensive subscriptions.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office to immediately open, edit, or create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to repurchase Microsoft Office if my PC came with a preinstalled version?
No, preinstalled OEM versions like Office Home and Student are typically linked to your Microsoft account as a digital license during the initial setup. You can reinstall it for free by signing into your Microsoft account.
What should I do if my Microsoft account does not show my Office license?
If the license isn't listed, ensure you are logging in with the exact email used during the first activation. If it still doesn't appear, check your PC manufacturer's recovery tools or use a Windows 11 System Restore point to recover the software.
Can I reinstall just Microsoft Word instead of the full Office suite?
No, Office Home and Student is packaged as a unified suite. When you run the installer from your Microsoft account, it will automatically install Word, Excel, and PowerPoint together.
How do I fix activation failures after reinstalling Office?
If Office fails to activate after reinstallation, make sure you are connected to the internet and signed in with the correct account. If issues persist, visit https://support.microsoft.com/contactus to seek assistance from Microsoft Support.
