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How to Uninstall Office Home and Student 2016 on Mac Before Moving It
Question details
The user wants to safely remove Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016 from an old Mac to transfer the license and install it on a new Mac without triggering activation conflicts.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Transferring an existing Microsoft Office 2016 installation and its single-device license from one Mac computer to another.
- Observed behavior
- To avoid license conflicts, the user needs to completely remove the software from the original machine before attempting activation on the new one.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials and the original product key available, as you will need them to activate Office 2016 on your new Mac.
Uninstall Office 2016 from the Old Mac and Transfer
Follow these steps to safely remove Office from your old Mac and activate it on your new computer.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016 is licensed for use on a single computer at a time. To move it to a new Mac, you must first completely remove it from the old one to free up the license.
Open the Applications folder on your old Mac, locate all Microsoft Office 2016 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), and drag them to the Trash. Empty the Trash to complete the uninstallation.
On your new Mac, log into your Microsoft account on the official Microsoft website, navigate to your Services & Subscriptions page, and download the Office Home and Student 2016 installer.
Run the installer on the new Mac, launch any Office application once installed, and follow the on-screen prompts to sign in and activate your license.
If you receive an error stating the product key is already in use, you must contact Microsoft Support by phone. Bypass the automated prompts to speak with a support representative who can manually deactivate the old installation.
Try WPS Office for Mac – No License Transfers Required
Avoid the hassle of transferring software licenses, dealing with activation limits, or calling support lines. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that works seamlessly on your Mac.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install and Launch: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Sign in with your email or third-party account and seamlessly open all your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any formatting issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep Office Home and Student 2016 on both my old and new Mac?
No, the Home and Student license typically permits installation on only one computer at a time. You must uninstall it from the old Mac before using it on the new one.
What should I do if my new Mac says the product key is already in use?
You will need to contact Microsoft Support via their regional telephone numbers. Bypass the automated system to speak directly with a representative who can clear the old activation record for you.
Will Office 2016 run on newer Macs requiring 64-bit applications?
Yes, Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac was updated to be a 64-bit application. Make sure you download the latest installer from your Microsoft account to ensure compatibility with modern macOS versions.
