How to Transfer an Office 2016 License to a New PC
Question details
The user wants to know if and how they can move their existing Microsoft Office 2016 perpetual license to a replacement computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Replacing an old computer and needing to migrate the existing Office 2016 software license to the new device.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to ensure compliance with Microsoft's one-device policy while successfully activating the software on the new PC.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 purchase, and verify that your new computer has a stable internet connection.
Transfer the License via Your Microsoft Account
This standard method involves uninstalling Office 2016 from your old PC and reinstalling it on the new one through your connected Microsoft account.
Retail perpetual licenses for Office 2016 can be transferred to a replacement computer. To comply with Microsoft's licensing terms, the software must be completely removed from the prior device before it can be used on the new one.
Open the Control Panel on your old computer, navigate to 'Programs and Features', locate Microsoft Office 2016 in the list of installed applications, and click 'Uninstall'.
On your new computer, open a web browser and go to the Microsoft Account dashboard. Sign in using the exact Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 license.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section. Locate your Office 2016 license in the list and click 'Install' to download the setup file. Run the installer to complete the setup.
Launch any installed Office application like Word or Excel. You will be prompted to activate the software over the internet. Follow the on-screen activation wizard to complete the process.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
If you are tired of strict one-device perpetual license limitations and complicated transfer processes, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you handle your documents seamlessly across multiple devices.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your new computer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office.
- 3. Open Your Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and immediately open your existing Microsoft Office documents without worrying about format conversion or strict license transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the original product key to reinstall Office 2016?
In most cases, no. As long as your Office 2016 license was linked to your Microsoft account during the initial setup, you can reinstall and activate it directly from the 'Services & subscriptions' page without entering the 25-character product key.
What if my old computer is broken and I cannot uninstall Office 2016?
If the old computer is completely inoperable, you can skip the uninstallation step and install Office directly on the new PC. You will likely need to use the telephone activation option when prompted to explain to the automated system that the previous device failed.
Can I keep Office 2016 on both my old and new computer?
No. A standard perpetual license for Office 2016 restricts usage to one user and one device at a time. Using it concurrently on two devices violates the license agreement and will eventually cause activation failures.
