License & Subscription Issues

How to Keep Office Home and Student 2019 After Buying Microsoft 365

Maira Mehtab Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if they can retain their Office Home and Student 2019 perpetual license and revert to it after purchasing and using a new Microsoft 365 subscription.

How to Keep Office Home and Student 2019 After Buying Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Upgrading to a Microsoft 365 subscription while wishing to preserve an existing perpetual Office 2019 license for future use.
Observed behavior: The user wants to ensure both licenses remain linked to their Microsoft account, allowing for seamless switching or reinstallation without losing their original purchase.

Before you start

Verify that your Office Home and Student 2019 license is securely linked to your active Microsoft account by checking your purchase history on the Microsoft account dashboard before uninstalling any software.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade to Microsoft 365 and Reinstall Office 2019 When Needed

This method details how to manage your perpetual license alongside a new Microsoft 365 subscription securely under the same Microsoft account.

Microsoft allows you to keep both your perpetual Office licenses and active subscriptions tied to the same account. However, to prevent software conflicts, you should not keep both installed on the same device simultaneously.

Verify your Office 2019 license

Navigate to account.microsoft.com/services and log in. Confirm that your 'Office Home and Student 2019' license is actively listed under your products.

Purchase Microsoft 365

Buy your new Microsoft 365 subscription using the exact same Microsoft account that holds your Office 2019 license.

Uninstall Office 2019

Open the Control Panel or Settings app on your computer, go to 'Apps' or 'Programs and Features', and uninstall Office Home and Student 2019 to prevent version conflicts.

Install Microsoft 365

Return to your Microsoft account dashboard, select your new Microsoft 365 subscription, and click 'Install' to download and set up the new applications.

Switch back to Office 2019 in the future

If you ever cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription, simply uninstall Microsoft 365 from your device, navigate back to account.microsoft.com/services, and click 'Install' next to your Office 2019 license.

Upgrade to Microsoft 365 and Reinstall Office 2019 When Needed

Account Verification: Always ensure you have full access and recovery options set up for the Microsoft account linked to your Office 2019 purchase, as you will need it for any future reactivations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Subscription and Licensing Hassles

Managing multiple Microsoft Office licenses or paying for ongoing Microsoft 365 subscriptions can be expensive and confusing. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative that handles all your document needs without the stress of complex license switching.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the lightweight application on your computer.
3. Open your documents seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files with full compatibility.

Completely free to use with no mandatory ongoing subscription fees.Excellent format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Familiar user interface allows for immediate and seamless migration.Lightweight installation that avoids bloatware and complex account requirements.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 installed on the same computer?

It is not recommended and often not possible to install a perpetual Office version and a Microsoft 365 subscription on the same machine simultaneously. You should uninstall Office 2019 before installing Microsoft 365 to ensure the applications run smoothly.

Will I lose my Office 2019 license if I upgrade to Microsoft 365?

No. As long as your Office Home and Student 2019 license is successfully linked to your Microsoft account, it remains yours permanently. You can reinstall it anytime from the 'Services & subscriptions' page.

What happens to my cloud files if I switch back to Office 2019?

If you cancel Microsoft 365, your OneDrive cloud storage limit may decrease from 1TB back to the free 5GB tier. You should download or back up your files locally to your device before your subscription expires so you can continue accessing them with Office 2019.

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