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How to Transfer Office 2019 Home and Student from PC to Mac
Question details
The user wants to know if an Office 2019 Home & Student license, originally bundled with an old Windows PC and not linked to a Microsoft account, can be transferred to a Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2019 Home & Student
- Device & OS
- Windows PC, Mac
- Scenario
- Transferring a bundled software license to a new operating system and device.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to move the license to a Mac but the OEM license is unlinked and typically tied to the original Windows device.
Check your original purchase receipt or computer documentation to determine if your Office 2019 license is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version or a Retail version.
Determine License Transferability and Deactivate Old PC
Check if your license allows transfer and prepare your old Windows PC by deactivating the current installation.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Office licenses that come pre-installed or bundled with a computer are typically tied to that specific hardware and cannot be transferred to a new device.
If your license is a Retail version, it can be transferred, but Office 2019 Home & Student for Windows is generally not cross-platform compatible with Mac without a specific Mac license.
Check if your Office 2019 was a Retail purchase or an OEM bundle. Since it was bundled with an old PC and not linked to a Microsoft account, it is highly likely an OEM license, which cannot be transferred.
Log into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/services to see if the Office 2019 license is listed under 'Services & subscriptions'. If it is not there, you cannot manage or transfer the activation digitally.
If you do find the license linked to your account, you must select 'Install' and then choose the option to 'Deactivate' the install on your old Windows PC before attempting to use it elsewhere.
Before attempting any new installation on your Mac, ensure you uninstall any preinstalled Microsoft 365 trial versions to prevent activation conflicts.
Use WPS Office on Your Mac for Free
If your Office 2019 license cannot be transferred from your old PC to your new Mac, WPS Office is an excellent, free alternative. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible suite for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files natively on macOS.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag WPS Office to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Windows Office 2019 product key on a Mac?
Generally, no. Office 2019 product keys are usually OS-specific. A product key for Office 2019 Home & Student for PC will not activate the Mac version.
What does an OEM license mean?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These licenses are sold at a discount to PC manufacturers and are permanently tied to the original motherboard of the device they were installed on. They cannot be transferred to a new computer.
How do I link an older Office version to my Microsoft account?
If your Office version allows it, you can enter your product key at setup.office.com and sign in with your Microsoft account to link the license to your profile for easier management.
Do I need to uninstall Microsoft 365 before installing Office 2019?
Yes, if your new Mac has a pre-installed Microsoft 365 trial, you should completely uninstall it before installing Office 2019 to prevent activation conflicts and license errors.
