How to Transfer a One-Time Purchase of Microsoft Office to a New Computer
Question details
The user needs to reinstall and activate a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Professional on a replacement computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Moving an existing Microsoft Office one-time purchase license to a new computer after the original PC became unusable or was replaced.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to successfully install and activate their previously purchased Microsoft Office suite on a different machine without repurchasing.
Ensure you have the Microsoft account credentials associated with your original Office purchase or your physical 25-character product key before attempting the installation on the new device.
Transfer Office 2016 or Later via Microsoft Account
Use this method if your Office purchase is linked to your Microsoft account, which is standard for Office 2016, 2019, and 2021.
For recent versions of Microsoft Office, your digital license is tied to your Microsoft account rather than a physical disc. This makes transferring to a new computer straightforward, provided you log in with the exact account used during the initial purchase.
Go to the official Microsoft account website in your web browser and sign in using the email address and password associated with your Office purchase.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' or 'Order History' tab. If you cannot locate your purchase immediately, set the date filter to 'All available'.
Locate your Microsoft Office purchase in the list and click the 'Install' button next to it. This will download the Office installer to your new computer. Run the installer file once the download finishes.
Open any installed Office application, such as Word or Excel. When prompted by the Activation Wizard, sign in with your Microsoft account or enter your existing product key to finalize the activation.
Reinstall Older Versions of Office (2013 or Earlier)
Follow these steps if you have an older, physical copy of Microsoft Office, such as Office 2010 or Office 2013.
Try WPS Office: A Free, Lightweight Alternative to Microsoft Office
If you are having trouble transferring your old Microsoft Office license or simply prefer not to deal with complex activation limits, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy seamless document editing without the hassle of license transfers.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button to get the latest installation file.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your new PC.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and start opening, editing, and saving your existing Microsoft Office documents with zero compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to deactivate Office on my old computer before installing it on the new one?
Yes. For a one-time purchase license, you are permitted to have Office installed on only one active computer at a time. You should uninstall it from the old PC via the Control Panel. If the old PC is completely dead or factory reset, you can proceed with the new installation but may need to activate via telephone support.
What should I do if I lost my Microsoft Office product key?
If your purchase is Office 2016 or newer, your license is securely linked to your Microsoft account, meaning you do not need the 25-character product key—simply sign in to your account to reinstall. However, for Office 2013 or older, the original product key is strictly required to activate the software.
Why is Microsoft Office saying the activation limit has been reached on my new PC?
This error occurs because Microsoft's activation servers still register your software as being installed on the old computer. To resolve this, select the option in the Activation Wizard to 'activate by telephone'. You will need to explain to the automated system or a support agent that the license is being transferred to a replacement device.
Can I transfer a Microsoft 365 (Office 365) subscription using these same steps?
Microsoft 365 subscriptions are even easier to manage. Simply log into your Microsoft account portal, navigate to the 'Devices' section, sign out or deactivate the install on the old computer, and then download the suite onto your new computer. Subscriptions allow installations on multiple devices simultaneously.
