Transfer Windows 10 and Microsoft Office Licenses to a Computer Buyer
Question details
The user wants to determine whether Windows 10 and Microsoft Office licenses can be included when selling a computer to a new owner.
- Product
- Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, including Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows 10 computer
- Scenario
- A computer owner is preparing to sell a PC that has Windows or Office installed and activated.
- Observed behavior
- The buyer needs valid rights to use the installed software. Transfer eligibility depends on the license type, applicable terms, and any account association.
Identify the Windows and Office editions, whether each license came with the computer or was purchased separately, and whether Office is a perpetual purchase or a subscription. Keep purchase records available, but do not share passwords or publish product keys.
Verify Microsoft Office transfer rights and account requirements
Use this approach before including Office in the sale, especially if it was redeemed or activated through your Microsoft account.
An activated Office installation does not, by itself, establish that the buyer can legally use it. A redeemed Office license is generally associated with the Microsoft account used for redemption, and transfer rights depend on the exact edition and license terms.
Do not assume that Office 2016 or another perpetual edition is transferable simply because it remains on the computer. Microsoft 365 subscriptions also should not be treated as software ownership that automatically passes to the buyer.
Open Word and select File > Account. Record the product name and activation information shown under Product Information.
In Word, select File > Account > About Word, then open the Microsoft software license terms link if available. Review the transfer provisions for that specific edition and purchase type.
Sign in to your own Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/services and look for the Office purchase or subscription. Use this information to explain the license's account association to Microsoft Support.
Go to support.microsoft.com/contactus and request help with transferring Office to a new owner as part of a computer sale. Provide the edition, purchase method, and proof of purchase, and follow any transfer instructions Microsoft confirms.
Check whether the Windows 10 license can accompany the computer
Use this check to distinguish Windows licensed with the device from separately purchased or organization-managed licenses.
Give the Buyer an Office Alternative Without Transferring Your Microsoft License
If your Microsoft Office license cannot accompany the computer, the buyer can download WPS Office for free document, spreadsheet, and presentation editing. Its lightweight design, familiar interface, and Microsoft Office format compatibility make migration straightforward without handing over your Microsoft account. WPS does not transfer Microsoft licenses or replace a Windows license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include Office 2016 when I sell my computer?
Possibly, but the edition and applicable license terms determine eligibility. In Word, open File > Account > About Word and review the software license terms. If Office is associated with your Microsoft account, ask Microsoft Support to confirm the permitted transfer procedure before including it in the sale.
Does an activated copy of Windows prove that the buyer owns a valid license?
No. Settings > Update & Security > Activation shows activation status, not all transfer rights. Check how Windows was purchased and review the applicable terms. A preinstalled OEM license generally accompanies the original licensed computer rather than moving to a different device.
Should I give the buyer my Microsoft account so they can use Office?
Do not share your account credentials unless Microsoft explicitly permits it under the applicable policies. Your account may contain email, files, payment information, and other purchases. Contact Microsoft Support to determine whether an authorized transfer is available.
Will resetting the PC transfer Windows and Office automatically?
No. Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC is a device-reset tool, not a license-transfer process. A reset may remove Office, and reinstallation or activation can still require the appropriate license and account.
What can the buyer use if my Office license cannot be transferred?
The buyer can obtain their own Microsoft Office license or download WPS Office for free core editing of DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files. WPS is an Office alternative, not a way to transfer your Microsoft license, and advanced formatting or features may differ.
