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How to Move Office 2019 Professional Plus to Another Device
Question details
The user needs to transfer an activated Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus Retail ESD license from an old computer to a new device.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading hardware or switching to a different computer while retaining the purchased Office software.
- Observed behavior
- The user seeks the correct procedure to migrate the existing retail license to the new hardware without encountering activation errors.
Verify that your Office 2019 license is a Retail (ESD) version, as OEM or volume licenses typically cannot be transferred. Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials or the original 25-character product key handy before uninstalling.
Transfer License via Linked Microsoft Account
Use this method if your Office 2019 purchase is digitally linked to your Microsoft account. You will need to remove it from the old PC and reinstall it from your account dashboard.
Retail licenses for Office 2019 allow for transfer to a new device, but the software must be completely removed from the previous computer first. Failing to uninstall it may trigger a 'maximum activations reached' error.
On your old computer, open the Control Panel, go to 'Programs and Features', select 'Microsoft Office 2019 Professional Plus', and click 'Uninstall'.
On your new computer, open a web browser and navigate to www.office.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2019 license.
Click the 'Install Office' button in your account dashboard. Follow the on-screen prompts to download the installer and run it to set up Office 2019 on the new PC.
Launch any Office application, such as Word or Excel. Accept the license agreement and, if prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account to complete the activation process.
Transfer License Using a Product Key
If your Office 2019 Retail ESD is not linked to a Microsoft account, you must use the original 25-character product key to reinstall and activate it on the new computer.
Try WPS Office: A Hassle-Free Alternative to Microsoft Office
If your Office 2019 license is an OEM version that cannot be transferred, or you want to avoid complex activation processes on your new device, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a complete, lightweight, and highly compatible productivity suite completely free of charge.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your new computer.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the quick setup guide to install WPS Office.
- 3. Open your files: Double-click your existing Office documents to open and edit them directly in WPS Office without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer an OEM Office 2019 license to a new computer?
No. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses are permanently tied to the original hardware they were installed on and cannot be transferred to a different device. Only Retail or ESD licenses permit transferring.
What should I do if I get a 'maximum activations reached' error?
This error occurs when the Microsoft server registers the product key as still active on another device. You will need to select the Telephone Activation option in the activation wizard and follow the prompts to contact Microsoft support, confirming the old installation was removed.
Do I need my product key if Office 2019 is linked to my Microsoft account?
No. If your Office 2019 license is digitally linked to your Microsoft account, you simply need to sign in at office.com on the new device to download, install, and activate the software.
How many computers can I install Office 2019 Professional Plus on at once?
Office 2019 Professional Plus Retail ESD is a one-time purchase license intended for use on a single computer at a time. You cannot keep it active on both the old and new computers simultaneously.
