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How to Recover and Reinstall a Microsoft Office Perpetual License
Question details
The user needs to restore a pre-installed Microsoft Office perpetual license that disappeared after their computer was reimaged.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reimaging or resetting a computer leading to the loss of a pre-installed Office license application.
- Observed behavior
- The Microsoft Office application loses its activation status or is completely removed from the system after a factory reset or reimage.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account originally used to activate your Office Home and Student license.
Reinstall Office from Your Microsoft Account
Use the Microsoft account portal to download and reinstall the software using the account tied to your original activation.
When an Office perpetual license is activated on a new device, it is permanently linked to the Microsoft account used during the initial setup. Signing back into this account is the most reliable way to recover your license.
Open your web browser and navigate to the Microsoft account portal. Sign in using the exact email address you originally used to activate Office.
Click on 'Services & subscriptions' from the top navigation menu to view all Office products linked to your account.
Find your Office perpetual license (e.g., Office Home and Student) in the list and click the 'Install' button to download the setup file.
Run the downloaded installer. Once the installation is complete, launch Word or Excel and sign in with your Microsoft account when prompted to activate the license.
Perform a Clean Reinstallation Using the Uninstall Support Tool
If the existing Office installation is damaged or partially removed, a clean removal is required before reinstalling.
Contact the Manufacturer or Microsoft Support
If your pre-installed license is missing and was never linked to a Microsoft account, reach out to the manufacturer (e.g., Lenovo) or Microsoft.
Try WPS Office: A Free and Lightweight Office Alternative
If you are unable to recover your Microsoft Office license or want to avoid complex activation processes in the future, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative. It provides a robust suite of tools that are highly compatible with Microsoft formats without requiring expensive perpetual licenses.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick installation prompts.
- 3. Start working immediately: Open WPS Office and instantly view, edit, or create documents without complex license activation hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check which Microsoft account is associated with my Office license?
If you still have an existing, partially working Office installation, open any Office app such as Word. Go to 'File' > 'Account', and look under the 'Product Information' section. The email address connected to your license will be displayed there.
Will I permanently lose my Office Home and Student license if I factory reset my PC?
No, perpetual licenses like Office Home and Student are typically permanently tied to your Microsoft account once activated. You can safely reinstall and reactivate them by signing into the associated Microsoft account after a factory reset.
Can I transfer a pre-installed Lenovo Office license to a different laptop?
Generally, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses provided with a specific laptop are digitally tied to that device's motherboard. Microsoft's licensing terms typically do not allow these specific pre-installed licenses to be transferred to a different computer.
