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How to Install Microsoft Office Purchased by a Previous Employee
Question details
The user needs to install and activate Microsoft Office that was originally purchased by a former employee or manager, but lacks the necessary account credentials.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to reinstall or activate Microsoft Office software for business use after the original purchaser has left the company.
- Observed behavior
- The installation is blocked because the user does not have access to the former employee's Microsoft account email, password, or two-factor authentication phone number.
Gather all available proof of purchase, such as company credit card receipts, invoices, or original product keys, before attempting to recover the license.
Contact Official Microsoft Support for License Recovery
Since Office licenses are securely tied to personal Microsoft accounts, you must contact official support with proof of company ownership to bypass or recover the credentials.
Community support moderators do not have the administrative permissions required to investigate account ownership or reset credentials. The only way to transfer or recover a license registered to a departed employee is through direct intervention by Microsoft's backend support team.
Go to the official Microsoft Support contact page at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/.
Select your product and inform the support agent that the software was purchased for the company, but the previous manager or employee who registered it is no longer available.
Submit the corporate proof of purchase and any related documentation to the support agent so they can verify ownership and advise you on how to recover the account or securely install Office.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Account Lockouts
Struggling with lost employee Microsoft accounts and complicated license recovery? Switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with straightforward deployment for businesses and individuals, entirely free for basic use without restrictive account lock-ins.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick setup wizard to install the suite.
- 3. Start Working Immediately: Open Writer, Spreadsheets, or Presentation and start editing your documents instantly without complex account setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a Microsoft Office license from a former employee's personal account myself?
No. Retail licenses are permanently tied to the Microsoft account used during the initial setup. You must contact Microsoft Support with corporate proof of purchase to request a manual transfer or account recovery.
What if I do not have the previous employee's phone number or password?
Without the original verification details, you cannot reset the account password automatically. You must escalate the issue through the official Microsoft Support channels and prove company ownership of the original purchase.
Can community support agents help me recover the tied Office account?
No. Community support agents and forum moderators do not have the administrative access required to investigate account ownership, bypass security, or reset credentials.
