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How to Transfer Office 2019 License to Another Computer
Question details
The user needs to move a single-device Microsoft Office 2019 license, such as the Home and Student edition, to a new computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Transferring an existing Office 2019 installation and its associated license to a different device without encountering activation errors.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to successfully activate Office on the new computer while complying with the one-device license limit.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready and confirm your new computer has a stable internet connection for the activation process.
Uninstall on Old PC and Reactivate on New PC
Since personal Office 2019 editions are restricted to one device, you must remove it from the old computer before installing and activating it on the new one.
Microsoft Office 2019 Home and Student, as well as most personal editions, are strictly licensed for a single device. There is no traditional 'deactivate' button; instead, uninstalling the software from the original computer clears the way for activation on a new device.
On your old PC, open the Control Panel, go to Programs and Features, locate Microsoft Office 2019 in the list, and click Uninstall.
On your new computer, open a web browser, go to office.com, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Office license, and click Install Office.
Once the installation is complete, launch Word or Excel. When prompted, sign in using the same Microsoft account to activate the software.
In Word, navigate to File > Account. Look under Product Information to confirm that it displays 'Product Activated'.
Switch to WPS Office for Hassle-Free Productivity
Tired of strict one-device licensing limits and complex transfer processes? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy a familiar interface and seamless document editing across multiple devices without the activation headaches.
- 1. Download the free installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install WPS Office.
- 3. Open existing Office files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open any existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without losing your formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Office 2019 work on my new computer without me activating it manually?
If you are logged into Windows with the same Microsoft account tied to your digital license, Office may activate automatically in the background. You can check this by opening Word, selecting File > Account, and reviewing the license details.
Do I need to officially deactivate Office 2019 before uninstalling it?
No. For one-time purchases like Office 2019, Microsoft does not provide a manual 'deactivate' button. Simply uninstalling the software from the old computer while connected to the internet is enough to allow activation on a new device.
Can I use my Office 2019 Home and Student license on two computers at the same time?
No, personal retail editions of Office 2019 are licensed for use on only one device at a time. If you need Office on multiple computers simultaneously, you will need to purchase an additional license or consider a multi-device subscription.
