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How to Restore Office 2021 Professional Plus After a PC Reset
Question details
The user needs to reinstall and reactivate Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus after a Windows operating system reset.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Recovering applications and software licenses after performing a factory reset or system restore on a PC.
- Observed behavior
- The Office 2021 installation has been wiped out by the PC reset and requires redownloading and reactivation.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and the login credentials for the Microsoft account linked to your Office 2021 license, or your 25-character product key.
Reinstall Office 2021 via Microsoft Account
Log into your Microsoft account to deactivate the old PC instance, download the installer, and reactivate Office.
Since Office 2021 Professional Plus is a digital license tied to your Microsoft account, a PC reset does not delete your purchase. You simply need to download it again from your account dashboard.
Open a web browser, navigate to https://office.com/myaccount, and sign in using the email address and password associated with your Office 2021 license.
Go to the 'Services & subscriptions' section. If your Office 2021 license indicates that it is currently installed on a device, click 'Deactivate' to free up the installation slot for your freshly reset PC.
Click the 'Install' button next to your Office 2021 Professional Plus product listing to download the setup file to your computer.
Locate the downloaded setup file in your Downloads folder, double-click it to run the installer, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Try WPS Office: A Free and Lightweight Alternative
If you have lost your Office 2021 product key or are unable to access the Microsoft account tied to your purchase, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a completely free, lightweight alternative that requires no complex activation and is perfectly compatible with your existing files.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button to get the installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the one-click installation wizard to set up the suite on your PC.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to purchase Office 2021 again after resetting my PC?
No. Office 2021 is a one-time purchase that is permanently linked to your Microsoft account. You can reinstall and reactivate it on the same PC after a reset at no additional cost.
What should I do if I forgot the Microsoft account used for Office 2021?
Try checking all of your email inboxes for a purchase confirmation receipt from Microsoft. If you still have the 25-character product key from your original purchase, you can use that. Otherwise, you will need to contact Microsoft Support with your proof of purchase for account recovery.
Why is my Office 2021 activation failing after reinstalling?
Activation typically fails after a PC reset if the Microsoft servers still recognize the license as being in use on the 'old' operating system setup. You must log into your Microsoft account online and click 'Deactivate' on the previous installation before the new activation will succeed.
