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Can You Downgrade Excel 2021 LTSC to Excel 2019 LTSC?
Question details
The user needs to know if an Excel 2021 LTSC license can be downgraded to an Excel 2019 LTSC license to ensure compatibility with a specific project.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Working on a project that specifically requires Excel 2019 LTSC, while the current environment holds an Excel 2021 LTSC license.
- Observed behavior
- The user is looking for a way to legally use the older Excel 2019 LTSC version instead of the newly purchased Excel 2021 LTSC.
Verify the exact Excel version required by your project add-ins or macros, and check your organization's Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) portal for available legacy licenses.
Obtain a Separate Excel 2019 LTSC License
As standard Microsoft licenses generally cannot be downgraded after purchase, you will need to acquire a dedicated license for the required older version.
Microsoft's standard licensing models generally do not support version downgrades after a purchase has been finalized. If your specific project strictly requires Excel 2019 LTSC due to compatibility limitations (such as legacy macros or specialized third-party add-ins), obtaining a new, separate license is the recommended resolution path.
Log into the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). If your organization has an enterprise agreement, check if your specific contract includes downgrade rights for Office LTSC products.
If no downgrade rights are available in your portal, contact an authorized Microsoft volume licensing reseller to purchase a dedicated Excel 2019 LTSC license.
Navigate to the Windows Control Panel, select 'Programs and Features,' and completely uninstall Excel 2021 LTSC to prevent version conflicts before installing the older software.
Download the Excel 2019 LTSC installation media from the VLSC portal, install the software, and activate it using your newly acquired product key.
Avoid Licensing Hassles with WPS Office
If rigid licensing rules and version downgrade restrictions are slowing down your project, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a completely free, highly compatible alternative that handles standard spreadsheet formats effortlessly.
- 1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx or .xls project files directly.
- 3. Edit and Save: Edit your data using the familiar interface and save it in standard Excel formats to ensure seamless compatibility with your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any Microsoft licenses allow for downgrading to Excel 2019 LTSC?
While standard retail licenses cannot be downgraded, certain Volume Licensing agreements do include downgrade rights. You must check your specific enterprise agreement in the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) to see if your organization is eligible.
Can I install Excel 2019 LTSC and Excel 2021 LTSC on the same computer?
No, Microsoft does not support installing two different LTSC versions of Office or Excel on the same computer using Click-to-Run technology. You must uninstall the 2021 version before installing the 2019 version to avoid registry conflicts.
Will my Excel 2019 project work correctly in Excel 2021 LTSC?
In most cases, yes. Excel 2021 LTSC is fully backward compatible with files created in Excel 2019. A downgrade is typically only required if you are using specialized legacy third-party add-ins or custom macros that have not been updated to run in newer environments.
