License & Subscription Issues

How to Transfer Office Professional Plus 2016 to Another Email Account

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if an Office Professional Plus 2016 license obtained through a workplace offer can be transferred to a new email account to reactivate it on a personal computer after a Windows reinstallation.

Product: Office Professional Plus 2016
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Reactivating Office on a personal computer after a system format when the original work account is no longer viable for direct activation.
Observed behavior: The original work account cannot be used to activate the software, prompting the need to transfer the license to a personal email account.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the personal email address that was linked to your original purchase confirmation if you bought the software through the Home Use Program.

Solution 1Recommended

Reinstall via the Workplace Discount Program

If you obtained Office through your employer, retrieve your installation links and product keys via the Microsoft Workplace Discount Program order history rather than transferring the license.

Generally, Microsoft Office licenses are permanently tied to the account or organization they were purchased through and cannot be directly transferred to a new email account. However, if you purchased it via the Home Use Program (now called the Workplace Discount Program), you can manage it through the dedicated portal.

Visit the Order History page

Navigate to the Microsoft Workplace Discount Program order history page at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/workplace-discount-program/order-history.

Enter the linked email

Input the personal email address that you used to receive the original purchase confirmation, which may differ from your work email.

Access installation links

Follow the secure link sent to your email to view your order history, retrieve your Office Professional Plus 2016 product key, and download the installer.

License Transfer Limitations: You cannot simply change the email address associated with a standalone Office 2016 license. You must use the portal to retrieve the original key for reactivation.

Solution 2

Seek Assistance in the Office Management Forum

If the Workplace Discount Program portal does not resolve your issue, consult Microsoft's specialized enterprise support forum.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Licensing Headaches

Dealing with tied licenses and workplace activation limits can be frustrating. WPS Office provides a lightweight, completely free alternative that works seamlessly on any PC without complicated enterprise licensing restrictions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Suite: Run the downloaded installer and complete the setup in seconds.
3. Open your existing files: Simply double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to continue working seamlessly in WPS Office.

100% free Office suite with Writer, Presentation, and SpreadsheetsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)No complicated workplace license or subscription renewals requiredLightweight installation and a familiar user interface

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Office 2016 license to another computer?

Yes, a retail or Home Use Program Office 2016 license can be moved to another computer, provided you uninstall it from the original machine first or are reinstalling it after completely formatting Windows.

Why is my work account not activating Office 2016?

Office Professional Plus 2016 workplace offers often tie the activation to a standalone product key retrieved via the Workplace Discount Program, rather than a direct sign-in with your workplace email account like modern Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

What if I no longer have access to my work email?

If you bought Office 2016 through the Home Use Program, the purchase was typically linked to the personal email address you specified during checkout. Try entering your personal email into the Workplace Discount Program order history page.

Does Office Professional Plus 2016 require a subscription?

No, it is a one-time purchase. Unlike Microsoft 365, it does not require a monthly or annual subscription, but you must keep track of the original product key and installation files for future use.

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