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Should You Uninstall Office Before Purchasing Microsoft 365?
Question details
The user is inquiring whether an existing perpetual Microsoft Office installation needs to be removed after purchasing a Microsoft 365 subscription, and whether it is possible to combine or run both versions together.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading from an older perpetual version of Microsoft Office to a new Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Observed behavior
- The user seeks clarification on the best installation practices to avoid system conflicts between the older software and the new subscription.
Before making any changes to your installed applications, verify which version of Microsoft Office you currently have and ensure your documents are saved and closed.
Uninstall the Older Version of Office Before Installing Microsoft 365
Removing the older version of Office is highly recommended to prevent conflicts and ensure a smooth Microsoft 365 installation.
Microsoft 365 and perpetual Office versions (such as Office 2016 or 2019) generally cannot be installed together on the same device. Keeping both versions installed can cause severe system conflicts, including file association errors, update failures, and activation problems.
On Windows, open the 'Control Panel' and navigate to 'Programs and Features', or go to 'Settings' > 'Apps' > 'Installed apps'.
Locate your existing Microsoft Office installation in the list, click on it, and select 'Uninstall'. Follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove the software from your computer.
Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer. Log in to your Microsoft account associated with your new subscription at office.com, and click 'Install Office' to download the new version.
Try WPS Office for a Conflict-Free Experience
If you want to avoid subscription fees and complex installation conflicts between different software versions, WPS Office is an excellent free Microsoft Office alternative. It offers a lightweight footprint, high format compatibility, a familiar UI, and a seamless migration process without the hassle of uninstallation conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup in minutes.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my documents if I uninstall my old version of Office?
No, uninstalling the Microsoft Office application only removes the software programs themselves. Your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations remain safely stored on your hard drive.
Can I run Microsoft 365 and Office 2019 on the same PC?
Generally, no. Microsoft prevents installing different versions of Office that use the same installer technology on the same computer to avoid system crashes and file association conflicts.
How do I redownload Microsoft 365 after uninstalling the old Office?
Go to office.com, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Microsoft 365 subscription, and click the 'Install Office' button on your account dashboard.
