License & Subscription Issues

How to Recover a Declined Free One-Year Microsoft Subscription on a New PC

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to retrieve and activate a free one-year Microsoft Office subscription that was included with a newly purchased computer but was accidentally declined.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a new computer that comes with a bundled free one-year Microsoft subscription.
Observed behavior: The subscription offer prompt no longer appears after being declined, preventing the user from activating their free Office license.

Before you start

Ensure your computer is connected to the internet and you are signed in to Windows with the Microsoft account you want to associate with the Office subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Microsoft Store Device Bundles

If you dismiss the initial setup prompt, the free subscription license is usually stored in your Microsoft Store library under device bundles.

When a new computer includes a free year of Microsoft 365, the license is digitally tied to the device's hardware. Declining the pop-up offer does not delete the license; it simply moves it to the Microsoft Store's library section where it can be claimed manually.

Open Microsoft Store

Click the Start button on your Windows taskbar, search for 'Microsoft Store', and open the application.

Navigate to Library

Click on the 'Library' icon located in the bottom-left corner of the Microsoft Store window.

Locate Device Bundles

Look for a section titled 'Device Bundles' or 'Included with device' in the Library menu. Your free one-year Microsoft subscription should be listed here.

Claim the Subscription

Click the 'Claim' or 'Get' button next to the Office subscription to link it to your currently signed-in Microsoft account and begin the installation.

Digital License Binding: Once claimed from the Device Bundles menu, the subscription is permanently attached to your Microsoft account and can be managed via the Microsoft account dashboard online.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Account Verification

Use this solution if the subscription is entirely missing from the Device Bundles section in the Microsoft Store.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office: A Free and Seamless Alternative

If you are unable to recover your free Microsoft subscription or want to avoid subscription renewals entirely, WPS Office is a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative that requires no complex activation procedures.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Free Download' to get the latest version.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the software on your new PC.
3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and immediately start editing your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without needing to hunt down subscription licenses.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)100% free with no hidden subscription fees or complex hardware activationsLightweight design ensures smooth and fast performance on any new PCFamiliar user interface makes switching from Microsoft Office seamless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my free Microsoft subscription disappear after I declined it?

When you click 'No thanks' during the initial setup, Windows dismisses the immediate pop-up to let you finish configuring your PC. The offer is not permanently deleted; it is instead moved to the 'Device Bundles' section in the Microsoft Store app.

Does the one-year free subscription start automatically if I ignore the prompt?

No. The one-year subscription period typically does not begin until you actively claim the offer and link it to your Microsoft account via the Microsoft Store.

Can I transfer the included free subscription to another computer?

Generally, free Microsoft 365 subscriptions included with a new PC are heavily tied to that specific device's hardware at activation. While the license attaches to your Microsoft account, the initial claim must be done on the device it came with.

How do I know if my new computer actually included a free Office subscription?

Check your computer's original packaging, the retailer's receipt, or the product description online. If it was included, it will usually be advertised as '1-Year Microsoft 365 Personal Included'.

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