'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Reinstall OEM Microsoft Office After Resetting a Used PC
Question details
The user needs to reinstall a pre-installed (OEM) version of Microsoft Office after performing a factory reset on a previously owned computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Resetting a used computer and attempting to restore the originally included OEM Microsoft Office software.
- Observed behavior
- The OEM Office installation is removed during the reset. The license cannot be activated via a product key because it is permanently linked to the original owner's Microsoft account.
Ensure you have the login credentials for any Microsoft accounts that might have been used to originally activate Office on this device.
Check Microsoft Account Services & Subscriptions
If you or your organization originally registered the OEM license, it will be saved in your Microsoft account's digital subscriptions rather than requiring a physical product key.
Modern OEM Microsoft Office licenses are digital. Instead of relying on a 25-character product key, the license is permanently linked to the first Microsoft account used to activate the software.
Go to the official Microsoft Account website and log in using the email and password associated with the original Office activation.
Click on the 'Services & subscriptions' tab located at the top of the account dashboard.
Scroll through your active products to find your specific version of Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.
Click the 'Install' button next to your Office product to download the setup file and reinstall it on your reset PC.
Contact the PC Manufacturer for Recovery Options
Reach out to the computer manufacturer to see if they offer a specific system recovery process that restores the original pre-installed software.
Purchase a New Office License
If the OEM license was redeemed by the previous owner, it cannot be legally transferred to your personal or work account, meaning a new license is required.
Try WPS Office: A Free, Seamless Alternative to Microsoft Office
If you lost your pre-installed OEM Office after resetting a used PC, avoid the high cost and strict account restrictions of buying a new Microsoft license. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for all your document needs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button suitable for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and immediately open your existing Microsoft Office files with perfect formatting retained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an OEM Office license be transferred to a new owner?
Generally, no. OEM licenses are permanently tied to the original purchaser's Microsoft account. Microsoft does not permit the unlinking or transferring of these digital licenses to a different user's account.
Will a product key finder tool help me recover my OEM Office?
No. Modern OEM Office licenses are digitally linked to a Microsoft account rather than stored locally on the PC's registry. A product key extractor will usually not find a transferable 25-character key.
What if I bought the used PC refurbished from an official retailer?
Refurbished PCs from official Microsoft authorized refurbishers sometimes come with a new digital license. You should check the documentation provided in the packaging or contact the refurbisher's support team for specific activation instructions.
