License & Subscription Issues

How to Reuse Office 2019 Volume Licenses After Installing Microsoft 365

Emma Brown Oct 15, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if an Office Professional 2019 volume license can be reused on another computer after Microsoft 365 Apps has been installed over the existing Office 2019 installation.

How to Reuse Office 2019 Volume Licenses After Installing Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft Office 2019
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Microsoft 365 Apps was installed on a computer that already had a volume-licensed version of Office Professional 2019. The user needs to verify if the 2019 license is freed up for use on a different machine.
Observed behavior: The user is unsure of the activation status of the underlying Office 2019 volume license and needs a method to detach or verify it for reuse.

Before you start

Ensure you have your volume license product key or access to the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) before modifying your Office installations.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Verify Office 2019 Activation

Use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool to completely remove Microsoft 365 Apps, which will allow you to access and verify your Office 2019 volume license status.

Normally, a volume-licensed Office product and Microsoft 365 Apps can exist on the same device. However, to safely transfer or reuse the volume license on another computer, you should first isolate the Office 2019 installation by removing Microsoft 365.

Download the Microsoft 365 Uninstall Support Tool

Open your web browser and navigate to https://aka.ms/SaRA-officeUninstallFromPC to download the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.

Run the Support Tool

Launch the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove Microsoft 365 Apps from the original computer.

Start Office 2019

Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer. Open an Office 2019 application, such as Word or Excel.

Verify Activation Status

Navigate to File > Account within the application to check if Office 2019 is still activated. If the license is active here, you may need to uninstall Office 2019 from this machine to free up the seat for another computer.

Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Verify Office 2019 Activation

License Reuse Confirmation: If the license does not appear available for reuse after following these steps, you will need to contact Microsoft Support or your organization's volume licensing administrator for further assistance.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Complex Licensing Conflicts

Managing volume licenses and resolving conflicts between Office 2019 and Microsoft 365 can be frustrating. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative, allowing you to create and edit documents without worrying about subscription overlaps or activation errors.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation instructions to set up the software on your computer.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without needing any format conversion.

Completely free for standard document, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks, eliminating complex volume license management.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Familiar tabbed interface ensures a seamless transition with zero learning curve.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on older devices without conflicting with existing software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019 be installed on the same device?

Yes, a volume-licensed Office product and Microsoft 365 Apps can technically be installed on the same device. However, doing so may cause default app conflicts and activation confusion, which is why it is often recommended to remove one if you need to manage licenses.

Where can I manage my Office 2019 volume licenses?

Volume licenses are centrally managed through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Your organization's IT administrator typically has the login credentials to access this portal to allocate, track, or revoke license seats.

Will uninstalling Microsoft 365 delete my local documents?

No, uninstalling Microsoft 365 or Office 2019 only removes the application software from your device. All your locally saved Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files will remain safe and intact on your hard drive.

What should I do if my Office 2019 volume license is not available for reuse?

If the license does not activate on the new machine after removing it from the old one, you should contact Microsoft Support or your organization's volume licensing administrator to ensure the seat was properly released in the VLSC system.

Login & Account Issues