License & Subscription Issues

How to Use Office 2021 Instead of Microsoft 365 on the Same Laptop

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user has both Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 installed on the same laptop but wants to exclusively use the Office 2021 one-time license and save documents locally rather than uploading them to OneDrive.

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Switching active licenses between two different Office products installed on a single device and modifying the default save location.
Observed behavior: The system defaults to the Microsoft 365 subscription features and automatically saves files to OneDrive instead of the local hard drive.

Before you start

Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2021 one-time purchase before making any software changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall Microsoft 365 and Configure Local Saves

Removing the Microsoft 365 installation forces the system to rely solely on your Office 2021 license and prevents unwanted cloud syncing.

When both products are installed simultaneously, Office automatically uses the license associated with the currently signed-in account, and only one set of features can be active. Uninstalling the unwanted version is the most reliable fix.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu, select Settings, and navigate to the 'Apps' or 'Installed apps' section.

Uninstall Microsoft 365

Locate 'Microsoft 365' in the list of installed applications, click on it, and select 'Uninstall'. Follow the prompts to remove it.

Download Cloud Files

If you have files stored in OneDrive, download them to your laptop's local drive or move them to another account as needed.

Change Default Save Location

Open an Office 2021 application like Word, go to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Save', check the box for 'Save to Computer by default', and click 'OK'.

Activation Complete: Once Microsoft 365 is removed, opening Office 2021 should prompt it to use your one-time license automatically.

Solution 2

Reinstall Office 2021 via Services & Subscriptions

If Office 2021 isn't activating properly, reinstalling it directly from your Microsoft account can restore the correct license.

Solution 3

Separate Your Subscriptions Across Accounts

If both products are tied to the exact same account, separating them can prevent licensing overlaps.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free, Local-First Experience

Tired of complex license conflicts and forced cloud storage? WPS Office is a powerful, lightweight alternative that defaults to local saves and offers complete compatibility with all your existing Microsoft Office files—without any subscription fees.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your laptop.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup instructions on your screen.
3. Open and Save Locally: Launch WPS Office, open your existing documents, and easily save them directly to your local hard drive.

Completely free to use without confusing subscription overlapsSave your documents locally to your laptop by defaultSeamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint filesLightweight design that runs smoothly on any laptop

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop Microsoft Office from automatically saving my files to OneDrive?

Open any Office application, click on 'File', then select 'Options'. Navigate to the 'Save' tab, check the box that says 'Save to Computer by default', and specify your preferred local default file location.

Will I lose my documents if I uninstall Microsoft 365?

No, uninstalling Microsoft 365 only removes the application software from your laptop. Your locally saved files will remain securely on your hard drive, and any files stored in OneDrive will still be accessible via your Microsoft account online.

Can I transfer my Office 2021 license to a different Microsoft account?

No, Microsoft Office products associated with a specific account cannot normally be transferred or moved to another account. You must always log in with the original Microsoft account used for the purchase to activate the software.

Login & Account Issues