How to Upgrade Office Standard 2013 to Microsoft 365
Question details
The user wants to know if and how they can perform a direct upgrade from an existing Microsoft Office Standard 2013 installation to a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2013 / Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Transitioning from an older perpetual Office license to a modern subscription-based Microsoft 365 model on a PC.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking the correct upgrade path because traditional in-place version upgrades are not applicable when moving to the subscription-based Microsoft 365.
Ensure you have a complete backup of your important local documents and confirm your Microsoft account credentials before altering your Office installations.
Install Microsoft 365 and Uninstall Office 2013
Because Microsoft 365 is a subscription service requiring its own installation, you must install it directly and optionally remove the older 2013 version to prevent conflicts.
Microsoft Office versions function as standalone full installations rather than incremental patches. Therefore, you cannot perform a simple 'upgrade' button click to transition from Office Standard 2013 to Microsoft 365.
You do not need to install intermediate versions like Office 2016 or 2019. You can jump straight to Microsoft 365. After successful installation, it is highly recommended to uninstall Office 2013 to free up space and avoid file association conflicts.
Navigate to the official Microsoft website, choose the Microsoft 365 plan (Personal, Family, or Business) that fits your needs, and complete the purchase.
Log into your Microsoft account on the device you wish to upgrade. Go to your account dashboard, locate the 'Install Office' button, and download the setup file.
Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the modern desktop applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Open the Windows Control Panel, navigate to 'Programs and Features', right-click 'Microsoft Office Standard 2013', and select 'Uninstall' to remove the old version.
Upgrade Your Office Suite for Free with WPS Office
If you are hesitant to commit to a costly, recurring Microsoft 365 subscription, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a familiar, modern interface and robust features completely free of charge, ensuring seamless compatibility with all your old Office 2013 files.
- 1. Download the Free Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free software suite.
- 2. Install Quickly: Run the lightweight installer to set up WPS Office on your computer in just a few minutes.
- 3. Open Your Old Documents: Double-click any existing Office 2013 files to instantly open, edit, and save them in WPS Office without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to upgrade to Office 2016 before installing Microsoft 365?
No, you do not need to perform incremental version upgrades. You can safely bypass Office 2016 or 2019 and install Microsoft 365 directly on your computer.
Will uninstalling Office 2013 delete my personal documents?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft Office software only removes the application files. Your personal Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and other files stored on your hard drive will remain intact.
Why did my default save location change after installing Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is deeply integrated with OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service. By default, it often changes the save location to OneDrive to facilitate file synchronization across devices. You can revert this in the 'Save' settings within Word or Excel.
