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How to Install Office Home and Student 2013 on a Second PC
Question details
The user wants to install a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 on a second personal computer and needs to know the correct procedure and licensing limits.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use an existing single-device Office 2013 license on an additional computer.
- Observed behavior
- Needs to clarify whether the license supports a second installation and how to successfully activate the software on the new PC.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account originally used to purchase and register Office 2013. Note that Office 2013 is a one-time purchase licensed for only one computer at a time.
Transfer the Office 2013 License to the New PC
If you are replacing an old computer, you can transfer your license by uninstalling the software from the first device and reinstalling it on the second.
Since Office Home and Student 2013 only permits one active installation per license, you cannot run it simultaneously on both PCs. Moving it requires completely removing it from the original device first.
On your first computer, open the Control Panel, go to 'Programs and Features', select Microsoft Office 2013 from the list, and click 'Uninstall'. Wait for the process to complete.
On your new computer, open a web browser and navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/services. Sign in with the exact Microsoft account associated with your Office 2013 purchase.
Locate your Office Home and Student 2013 license under the 'Services & subscriptions' section and click the 'Install' button. Follow the on-screen prompts to download and run the setup file.
Open any Office application like Word. You may be prompted to activate over the internet. If internet activation fails because the license was recently moved, select the option to activate by phone and follow the automated instructions.
Obtain an Additional License for Concurrent Use
Use this approach if you need to use Office applications on both the first and second PC at the same time.
Use WPS Office on Multiple Devices for Free
Avoid restrictive single-device licenses and expensive upgrades. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that you can easily use across multiple computers, tablets, and smartphones using one single account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Office Home and Student 2013 on two computers at the same time?
No. Office Home and Student 2013 is a one-time purchase that is strictly licensed for one computer at a time. To use Office on a second PC concurrently, you must purchase a second license or switch to a multi-device subscription like Microsoft 365.
Why is my Office 2013 asking for phone activation on the new PC?
When you transfer a one-time purchase license to a new device, Microsoft's activation servers detect the hardware change. Activating by phone is a standard security measure to verify that the software has been removed from the previous computer.
Does uninstalling Office 2013 automatically deactivate it from my account?
Uninstalling removes the software from your hard drive, but it doesn't digitally 'deactivate' it in your Microsoft account in real time. However, signing into your account on the new PC and completing the installation (followed by phone activation, if prompted) will successfully register the new computer.
Can I upgrade my Office 2013 license to cover multiple devices?
The Office 2013 license itself cannot be upgraded to a multi-device license. You would need to purchase a separate modern subscription, such as Microsoft 365, which allows installation on up to 5 devices simultaneously per user.
