License & Subscription Issues

Fix Microsoft Office License Expired After One Year on New Laptop

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user's Microsoft Office software, which was included with their new laptop, shows an expired license after exactly one year of use.

How to Fix Microsoft Office License Expired After One Year on a New Laptop

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to edit or create documents on a laptop after owning it for one year, only to be blocked by an activation or subscription expiration prompt.
Observed behavior: Office applications display a banner stating the license has expired, restricting the software to a read-only mode and preventing document editing.

Before you start

Ensure your laptop is connected to the internet and have the login credentials for the Microsoft account used during the initial laptop setup ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Your Office License Type in Account Settings

Determine whether your laptop included a perpetual Office Home & Student license or a 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.

Many new laptops come bundled with a 1-year trial or prepaid subscription of Microsoft 365, rather than a lifetime Office Home & Student license. Microsoft 365 requires an annual paid renewal after the promotional first year ends.

Open an Office Application

Launch any Microsoft Office application on your laptop, such as Word or Excel.

Navigate to Account Settings

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the application window, then select 'Account' (or 'Office Account') from the bottom left menu.

Check Product Information

Look under the 'Product Information' section on the right side of the screen. Note whether the software is listed as 'Subscription Product Microsoft 365' or 'Office Home & Student'.

Verify Your Office License Type in Account Settings

Understanding Your License: If it says Microsoft 365, your 1-year included term has ended and requires a paid renewal. If it says Home & Student, it is a lifetime license and should not expire.

Solution 2

Renew Subscription or Verify Perpetual Activation

Take the appropriate action to restore full functionality based on the license type you discovered in the previous solution.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Free When Your Microsoft License Expires

If you do not want to pay for a costly Microsoft 365 subscription renewal after your first year, switch to WPS Office. It provides a complete, free, and lightweight suite for your documents without the recurring annual fees.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button to get the setup file.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the software on your laptop.
3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Set WPS Office as your default application to instantly open and edit your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without formatting loss.

Completely free to use with no mandatory annual subscription fees.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Familiar, easy-to-use interface means no learning curve when migrating from Microsoft Office.Lightweight software that runs smoothly on all laptops without draining system resources.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my lifetime Office expire after one year?

Your laptop most likely came with a 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription included, rather than a lifetime Office Home & Student license. Once the promotional year ends, you must pay to continue using the premium editing features.

How can I find my pre-installed Office product key?

Modern laptops use a digital license tied directly to your Microsoft account hardware rather than a physical 25-character product key. You can sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com to view and manage your digital licenses.

Can I still view my documents if my Office license expires?

Yes. When a Microsoft 365 subscription expires, the applications enter a reduced functionality mode. You will still be able to open, view, and print your documents, but you cannot edit them or create new ones until you renew or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office.

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