License & Subscription Issues

How to Transfer an Office Home 2016 License to Another Person

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know the rules, conditions, and steps for transferring a Microsoft Office Home 2016 license to another person.

Product: Microsoft Office Home 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Transferring an existing Office 2016 license to a new user or device.
Observed behavior: Requires clarification on whether the software license is legally and technically transferable based on how it was originally purchased.

Before you start

Verify how your copy of Office 2016 was acquired and locate your 25-character product key before attempting any transfer.

Solution 1Recommended

Transfer a Standalone Retail License

If you purchased Office Home 2016 separately from a retailer (not preinstalled), it can usually be transferred to another person after being removed from the original device.

Retail licenses are generally tied to the user rather than the specific hardware, allowing you to reassign them under Microsoft's license terms.

Ensure you have the original product key and installation media ready to hand over to the new user.

Uninstall from the Original Computer

Open the Control Panel on the current computer, navigate to Programs and Features, select Microsoft Office 2016, and click Uninstall. This frees up the activation slot.

Provide Details to the Recipient

Give the new user the 25-character product key and any physical installation discs or digital download links.

Install and Activate on the New Device

Have the recipient install Office 2016 on their device. When prompted, they must enter the product key. If online activation fails due to previous usage, select the telephone activation option in the Activation Wizard.

Preinstalled Licenses: If your Office 2016 came preinstalled on a computer by the manufacturer (OEM), it is permanently tied to that computer's motherboard and cannot be legally or technically transferred to another person or device.

Solution 2

Transferring a License in the European Economic Area (EEA)

Customers residing within the EEA are subject to specific local laws regarding software license transfers and exhaustion rights.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office as a Free Alternative

If your Office Home 2016 license is non-transferable (such as an OEM version tied to an old PC), you don't need to buy a brand-new, expensive office suite. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that opens all standard Office documents seamlessly.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite on your computer.
3. Open Your Office Files: Double-click any existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file to instantly open and edit it in WPS Office.

100% compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxCompletely free to use for daily writing, spreadsheet, and presentation tasksLightweight application that runs smoothly even on older hardwareFamiliar tabbed interface that requires zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer an Office 2016 license that came preinstalled on my laptop?

Generally, no. Office versions preinstalled by the manufacturer (OEM licenses) are permanently tied to the original computer's hardware. Unless you reside in regions with specific laws like the EEA, these cannot be transferred to a new user or device.

Do I need to deactivate Office 2016 before transferring it to someone else?

Yes, you must completely uninstall Microsoft Office 2016 from the original device. This serves to free up the activation slot, making it possible for the new user to successfully activate the software.

What should the new user do if activation fails after the transfer?

If internet activation fails and says the product key is already in use, the new user should select the 'Activate by telephone' option in the Microsoft Office Activation Wizard and follow the prompts to complete the transfer via automated phone system.

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