Fix Microsoft 365 Charging You After Buying a New Computer
Question details
The user is unexpectedly being charged for a Microsoft 365 subscription on a newly purchased computer, despite already owning a previous perpetual version of Office.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up a new computer and attempting to use previously purchased Office software.
- Observed behavior
- A pre-installed Microsoft 365 trial was accidentally activated on the new computer, which later converted to a paid subscription, while the user's older 1-device license remained tied to the old computer.
Make sure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your previous Office purchases and your new computer's setup.
Identify and Cancel the Microsoft 365 Trial
Check your Microsoft account to verify if a Microsoft 365 trial was accidentally activated on the new computer, and cancel it to stop future charges.
Go to account.microsoft.com/services in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Look for the 'Microsoft 365' subscription in the list of active products to confirm whether a trial or paid plan is currently active.
Click on 'Manage' next to the Microsoft 365 entry, then select 'Cancel subscription' or 'Turn off recurring billing' to prevent any future charges.
Transfer Your Perpetual Office License
If your previous Office version was a one-time purchase (like Office 2016, 2019, or 2021), you can transfer it from your old computer to the new one.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Recurring Subscription Charges
If you do not want to pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription on your new computer, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative. It provides the essential productivity tools you need without confusing billing cycles.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package designed for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office on your new computer.
- 3. Access Your Files: Launch WPS Office to immediately start creating new documents or opening your existing Microsoft Office files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my new computer come with a paid Microsoft 365 version?
Most new Windows computers come with a pre-installed 30-day trial of Microsoft 365. If you open Word or Excel and click through the initial prompts to start the trial, it will automatically convert to a paid subscription and charge your linked payment method once the 30 days expire.
Can I use my old Office 2019 license on my new computer?
Yes. Office 2016, 2019, and 2021 are one-time purchase (perpetual) licenses. You can transfer them to a new computer by first uninstalling the software from your old device, then reinstalling it on the new device directly from your Microsoft account.
How do I check what Office license I currently own?
You can view all your active licenses, past purchases, and active subscriptions by logging into account.microsoft.com/services using the Microsoft account associated with your Office software.
