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How to Upgrade from Office 2019 to Microsoft 365 with a School Account
Question details
The user needs to upgrade their desktop version of Word to the current Microsoft 365 subscription version provided by their school, as their system is currently stuck on Office 2019.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Apps
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to update an existing Office installation to the latest Microsoft 365 version using a school-issued subscription.
- Observed behavior
- Office continues to display version 2019, and standard software updates fail to transition the program to the current Microsoft 365 subscription version.
Ensure you have your active school email address and password ready, and verify with your institution's IT department that your student account is still assigned a valid Microsoft 365 license.
Uninstall Office 2019 and Install Microsoft 365 Apps
Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 are completely separate products. You must remove the perpetual 2019 version before you can install the subscription-based Microsoft 365 Apps.
Because Office 2019 is a distinct perpetual release, regular system updates will only provide security patches for 2019. They will not convert it into the Microsoft 365 subscription version. A fresh installation is required from your school's Microsoft portal.
Open the Control Panel or Windows Settings, navigate to 'Apps' or 'Programs and Features', locate 'Microsoft Office 2019' in the list of installed applications, and select 'Uninstall'.
Open a web browser, go to office.com, and sign in using your active school email address and password.
On the Microsoft 365 dashboard, locate and click the 'Install Office' or 'Install apps' button, then choose 'Microsoft 365 apps' to download the installer.
Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Once finished, open Word and sign in with your school account to activate it.
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- 1. Visit the WPS Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to access the free download page.
- 2. Download the Installer: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the lightweight WPS Office installer for your operating system.
- 3. Install and Edit: Run the setup file and open WPS Writer to instantly view, create, or edit your DOCX files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Office 2019 update to Microsoft 365 automatically?
Office 2019 is a perpetual (one-time purchase) license, whereas Microsoft 365 is a subscription service. They use entirely different installation files, meaning standard update features will only apply security patches to Office 2019 rather than upgrading the software version.
How can I check if my school account still has an active Microsoft 365 license?
Log in to portal.office.com with your school credentials, click on your profile picture, select 'View account', and check the 'Subscriptions' page to verify if 'The latest desktop version of Office' is listed under your active licenses.
Can I keep Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 installed on the same computer?
It is highly recommended to uninstall Office 2019 before installing Microsoft 365. Keeping both installed on the same device can cause licensing conflicts, file association errors, and prevent applications from updating properly.
