Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

How to Reinstall Office Home and Student 2021 After Removing Microsoft 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to reinstall Office Home and Student 2021 from the setup page after uninstalling Microsoft 365, as only Microsoft 365 subscription options appear despite having the original product key.

Product: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to reinstall a one-time purchase of Office 2021 after a Microsoft 365 trial or installation has been removed.
Observed behavior: The setup page only shows options for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and the Office 2021 product key cannot be used directly to reinstall the software.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the exact Microsoft account originally used to purchase or redeem your Office Home and Student 2021 license.

Solution 1Recommended

Reinstall Office 2021 via Microsoft Account Services

Use your linked Microsoft account to download and install Office 2021, as the product key alone is insufficient after the initial redemption.

When you first redeem an Office 2021 product key, the license is permanently tied to your Microsoft account. Therefore, you cannot use the product key again for reinstallation. Instead, you must access your account's digital locker to download the installer.

Access Microsoft Services

Open a web browser and navigate to account.microsoft.com/services.

Sign In

Locate Office 2021

Scroll through your list of subscriptions and purchased products on the page to locate 'Office Home & Student 2021'.

Download and Install

Click the 'Install' button next to the Office 2021 product name to download the setup file, then run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Account Verification: If you do not see Office 2021 listed in the Services & Subscriptions page, you might be signed into the wrong Microsoft account. Check any alternate email addresses you may have used during the initial setup.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

Avoid complicated account licensing and subscription prompts by switching to WPS Office. It's a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that doesn't force you into complex reinstall loops.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the application on your device.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office to open your existing Microsoft Office files instantly without any formatting loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).One lightweight application for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.No complex account restrictions or installation blocks.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I just use my Office 2021 product key to reinstall?

A product key is only used once to link the Office license to your Microsoft account. For all future reinstallations, Microsoft requires you to log into that specific account to download the installer rather than reusing the key.

What should I do if my Office 2021 isn't showing in my Microsoft account?

This usually means you are signed into the wrong Microsoft account. Try signing out and logging back in with any other email addresses you might have used when you first purchased or redeemed the software.

Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my Word or Excel files?

No, uninstalling Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 only removes the application software from your computer. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations saved on your hard drive or OneDrive will remain untouched.

Installation & Activation