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How to Reinstall Word and Excel After Office 2016 Was Removed
Question details
The user needs to reinstall Microsoft Word and Excel after the applications were deleted by the Office Online Repair tool, and the license does not appear in the order history.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to restore Office applications after an Online Repair wiped them from a device and the purchase history appears empty.
- Observed behavior
- Word and Excel are completely missing from the device after running an Online Repair on Microsoft Office 2016.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the exact Microsoft account that was originally used to purchase or register your Office 2016 license.
Reinstall Office 2016 from Your Microsoft Account
Check your Microsoft account for the redeemed product key and download the Office installer directly from the services page.
When an Online Repair uninstalls Office 2016, you can usually restore it by downloading the setup file from your Microsoft account, provided the license is linked properly.
Navigate to account.microsoft.com/services in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Look under the 'Services & subscriptions' section to check whether the product key was successfully redeemed to this Microsoft account.
If the license appears, navigate to Office.com, sign in, and click the 'Install Office' button to download the suite installer.
Run the downloaded setup file to reinstall Word, Excel, and the rest of the suite. Once installed, open any Office application and sign in to activate it.
Locate Original Product Key or Contact Microsoft Support
If the license isn't visible in your Microsoft account, you will need the original physical key or support assistance to restore the apps.
Try WPS Office: A Free and Lightweight Alternative to Office 2016
If you cannot recover your Office 2016 license or want to avoid complicated reinstallation issues, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy familiar interfaces for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without worrying about lost product keys.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the quick installation prompts.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word or Excel files directly; they will open seamlessly without formatting loss.
- 3. Edit and Save: Use the familiar tools to edit your documents and save them in standard Microsoft Office formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft Online Repair remove my Office applications?
The Online Repair tool typically works by uninstalling your current corrupted Office suite and attempting to download a fresh copy. If it encounters a network issue, license mismatch, or activation glitch during this process, it may fail to reinstall, leaving your computer without the Office apps.
Can I transfer my Office 2016 license to a new computer?
Yes, retail versions of Office 2016 can be transferred to a different device. You must completely uninstall it from the original computer first, then install it on the new device. In some cases, you may need to complete activation via the Microsoft automated phone system to verify the transfer.
What should I do if my Office 2016 purchase is not in my order history?
First, ensure you are logged into the exact Microsoft account used to make the purchase or initially redeem the product key. If you have multiple accounts (such as a work and personal account), check each one's 'Services & subscriptions' page. If it still does not appear, you will need the original 25-character product key or proof of purchase to get help from Microsoft Support.
