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Can Office Home and Student 2019 Be Used on Two Devices?
Question details
The user wants to know if a single Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 license can be installed and activated on two computers at the same time.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to install and use a previously purchased Office 2019 license on an additional computer or a replacement device.
- Observed behavior
- Office Home and Student 2019 is a one-time purchase license that restricts simultaneous usage to a single computer.
Ensure you know the Microsoft account credentials associated with your Office 2019 purchase, as you will need them to activate the software on a new device.
Transferring Your Office 2019 License to a New Computer
Since Office Home and Student 2019 cannot be used on two devices at once, you must transfer the license if you want to use it on a different computer.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 is a one-time purchase, meaning it is legally licensed for use on only one computer at a time. It cannot be shared or used simultaneously across multiple devices like a Microsoft 365 subscription.
If you purchase a new computer or need to move your workspace, you are allowed to transfer the license. This requires completely removing the software from the original machine before activating it on the new one.
On your old computer, open the Control Panel, navigate to 'Programs and Features', locate Microsoft Office 2019 in the list of installed applications, and click 'Uninstall'.
Open a web browser on your new computer, go to www.office.com, and sign in using the Microsoft account that is linked to your Office 2019 license.
Click the 'Install Office' button on your account dashboard, download the setup file, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the suite. Once installed, log in to any Office app to activate it on the new PC.
Use WPS Office on Multiple Devices for Free
If you are frustrated by the single-device restriction of one-time purchase licenses, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that easily syncs your documents across multiple devices—completely free.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your specific operating system.
- 2. Install and log in: Run the installer, open WPS Office, and log in with your free account to enable multi-device cloud synchronization.
- 3. Open your files: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into WPS to continue editing without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Office 2019 license with a family member?
No, Office Home and Student 2019 is a single-user, one-time purchase license. It cannot be shared across different accounts or installed on multiple computers simultaneously.
What is the difference between Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 regarding device limits?
Office 2019 is licensed for just one computer at a time. In contrast, Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that allows a single user to install and activate Office apps on up to five devices simultaneously, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones.
How do I find the Microsoft account linked to my Office purchase?
Open any Office application (like Word or Excel) on your currently activated device, click on the 'File' menu, and select 'Account'. Your associated Microsoft email address will be displayed under the User Information section.
Will I lose my files if I uninstall Office to move it to a new computer?
No, uninstalling Microsoft Office only removes the application files from your computer. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations saved on your hard drive or in OneDrive will remain completely intact and accessible.
