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How to Restore Microsoft Project Professional 2019 on a New Computer
Question details
The user needs to reinstall and reactivate Microsoft Project Professional 2019 on a new computer after transferring their hard drive.
- Product
- Microsoft Project Professional 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Moving a hard drive to a different computer and attempting to run previously installed software.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Project Professional 2019 stopped working and requires reactivation or reinstallation due to hardware changes.
Ensure you have access to the Microsoft account linked to your Project Professional 2019 license or have your original 25-character product key ready.
Reinstall and Reactivate Microsoft Project
The most reliable method is to uninstall the broken instance and freshly install Project using your licensed Microsoft account.
When a hard drive is moved to a new computer, the underlying hardware signature changes. Microsoft's activation system detects this as a new device, which is why the application stops working.
Open the Control Panel on your new computer, navigate to 'Programs and Features', select Microsoft Project Professional 2019, and click 'Uninstall'.
Open a web browser, go to www.office.com, and sign in using the Microsoft account associated with your Project 2019 license.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section of your account, locate Project Professional 2019, and click the 'Install' button to download the setup file.
Run the downloaded setup file. Once the installation is complete, open Microsoft Project and follow the Activation Wizard prompts to verify your license on the new hardware.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Project Professional 2019 stop working after I moved my hard drive?
Microsoft software ties its activation signature to the computer's motherboard and key hardware components. Moving the hard drive to a new PC triggers a hardware change detection, which invalidates the current activation and requires reactivation.
Can I transfer my Microsoft Project 2019 license to a new computer?
Yes, retail versions of Project Professional 2019 can be transferred to a new computer. You must first uninstall it from the original device (or recognize that the old hardware is no longer in use) and then activate it on the new machine.
What should I do if the online activation fails on the new computer?
If online activation fails with a message about the software being installed on too many devices, choose the 'Activate by telephone' option in the Activation Wizard and contact Microsoft Support to explain the hardware transfer.
