License & Subscription Issues

How to Get Microsoft Office If It Was Not Included with a New Device

John Wilson Sep 27, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user needs to figure out how to obtain or activate Microsoft Office on a new computer that did not come with a pre-installed or fully activated copy.

How to Get Microsoft Office When It Was Not Included with a New Computer

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a new computer and realizing the expected Microsoft Office suite is either missing entirely or only available as a trial version.
Observed behavior: The user cannot access a full version of Microsoft Office Home and Student because the device only includes a Microsoft 365 trial or no Office software at all.

Before you start

Check your original receipt, invoice, or the device's product description to verify if a Microsoft Office license was explicitly advertised as included with your purchase.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact the device seller if Office was advertised as included

Use this method if your computer's purchase description explicitly stated that a full version of Microsoft Office was included.

Many new computers only come with a 30-day trial of Microsoft 365. However, if your retailer specifically advertised that a lifetime license (like Office Home and Student) was included in the price, you are entitled to it.

Review purchase details

Check your physical receipt or email confirmation to confirm the inclusion of Microsoft Office.

Contact customer support

Reach out to the retailer or manufacturer's customer service department with your order number.

Request the activation code

Ask them to provide the digital activation code or provide instructions on how to activate the preinstalled software tied to the motherboard.

Contact the device seller if Office was advertised as included

Digital Licenses: Some modern PCs use a 'Digital Attachment' where Office is tied to the hardware. You may simply need to open Word or Excel and sign in with a Microsoft account to trigger the bundled activation.

Solution 2

Install a previously owned Microsoft Office license

If you already purchased a retail version of Microsoft Office in the past, you can usually transfer it to your new computer.

Solution 3

Purchase a new Microsoft Office license or subscription

If Office was definitely not included and you do not own a previous copy, you will need to acquire a new license.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative to Microsoft Office

If Microsoft Office was not included with your new computer and you prefer not to purchase a costly subscription or standalone license, WPS Office is an excellent free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative.

1. Visit the official website: Go to wps.com using your web browser.
2. Download the installer: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the setup file for your operating system.
3. Install and launch: Run the downloaded installer, follow the simple setup instructions, and start creating or editing your documents immediately.

Completely free to use with comprehensive word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation toolsHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (docx, xlsx, pptx)Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on both brand-new and older computersFamiliar user interface that requires no learning curve to get started quickly

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows 11 come with a free version of Microsoft Office?

No, Windows 11 does not include a full, free version of Microsoft Office. It typically only includes basic built-in apps like Notepad and WordPad, or a 30-day trial of Microsoft 365. A full Office suite requires a separate purchase unless specifically bundled by the PC manufacturer.

How do I know if my new computer comes with Microsoft Office?

You can check your computer's packaging, the retailer's product description, or your email receipt. If it is included, you may receive a digital activation code, or the software may automatically activate when you open an Office app and log in with your Microsoft account.

Can I transfer my old Microsoft Office license to my new computer?

Yes, depending on the type of license you own. Retail versions (one-time purchases) can usually be transferred. You will need to uninstall or deactivate the software on your old device first, then reinstall it on your new computer by visiting account.microsoft.com/services.

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