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How to Transfer Microsoft Office Licenses to a Replacement Computer
Question details
The user wants to know if they can transfer their existing Microsoft Office license from an old computer to a new replacement computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading to or purchasing a replacement computer and needing to retain productivity software without buying it again.
- Observed behavior
- Uncertainty regarding Microsoft's licensing agreements and whether the current Office license will activate successfully on a new device.
Check your original purchase receipt, email confirmation, or Microsoft account to determine whether your license is a Microsoft 365 Subscription, a Retail perpetual license, or an OEM (pre-installed) license.
Transfer a Microsoft 365 Subscription (Recommended)
Microsoft 365 is a user-based subscription, making it extremely easy to transfer and use across multiple devices within your plan's limits.
Because Microsoft 365 licenses are tied to your Microsoft account rather than a specific device's hardware, you can freely install the software on a replacement computer.
On your replacement computer, open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the credentials associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' section. If you have reached your maximum device limit, locate your old computer in the device list and select 'Sign out' to free up a slot.
Click the 'Install Office' button to download the setup file, then run the installer on your replacement computer. Open any Office app and sign in to activate.
Transfer a Retail Perpetual Office License
Retail versions of Office (such as Office 2019 or 2021) can generally be transferred to a new computer, provided they are uninstalled from the previous one.
Understanding OEM License Limitations
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licenses come pre-installed and are permanently tied to the original hardware.
Get WPS Office: A Free, Highly Compatible Alternative
If your Microsoft Office license is non-transferable (such as an OEM license) and you want to avoid expensive repurchasing costs, WPS Office is a perfect, lightweight alternative. It offers powerful Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation tools at zero cost.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website on your replacement computer and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple setup instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Files: Double-click your existing Office documents to open them effortlessly in WPS Office and resume your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my Office license is OEM or Retail?
You can check your original purchase receipt or email confirmation. Alternatively, on a Windows PC, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type `slmgr /dli`. A dialog box will appear indicating whether your license channel is OEM, Retail, or Volume.
Do I need to uninstall Office from my old computer before transferring?
Yes, if you have a Retail perpetual license (like Office 2019 or 2021), you must uninstall it from the old computer first. This frees up the activation so it can be verified on the replacement computer. For Microsoft 365, you simply need to sign out of the old device in your Microsoft account dashboard.
What if my old computer is broken and I cannot uninstall Office?
If your old computer is completely inoperable and you have a Retail license, install Office on the new computer anyway. During activation, choose the telephone activation method to explain the situation to Microsoft's automated system or a support agent, who can force the deactivation of the broken device.
