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How to Fix Microsoft Office 2013 Applications That Will Not Open
Question details
The user needs to restore access to important files because Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 applications like Word and Excel are no longer opening.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Restoring access to local documents when Office 2013 fails to launch, without upgrading to Microsoft 365.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word and Excel 2013 fail to launch or open when the user attempts to run them.
Ensure you have your original 25-character Microsoft Office 2013 product key handy and are signed into the Microsoft account associated with your purchase.
Reinstall Office 2013 using your product key
Use this solution to download a fresh copy of Office 2013 directly from Microsoft using your original product key, bypassing the Microsoft 365 upgrade prompts.
Reinstalling Office 2013 is the most reliable way to fix corrupted application files that prevent Word and Excel from opening. This process will not delete your saved documents.
Open your web browser and go to https://www.office.com/setup.
Log in using the Microsoft account that is associated with your original Office 2013 purchase.
Type in your 25-character Office 2013 product key when prompted. You do not need to type the hyphens.
Choose your country or region and language, then click Next to proceed to the download page for Office 2013.
Locate the downloaded setup file on your computer, double-click it, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Run the Microsoft Office Repair Tool
Use this built-in Windows utility to automatically detect and repair issues preventing Office 2013 applications from opening, before attempting a full reinstall.
Try WPS Office: A Free, Lightweight Alternative to Microsoft Office
If your Office 2013 is no longer supported or continues to fail, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. You can instantly open, edit, and save all your existing Word and Excel files without paying for expensive Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick setup wizard to install the suite on your computer.
- 3. Open your files: Right-click your existing Office documents, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office to resume your work immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will reinstalling Office 2013 delete my Word and Excel documents?
No. Your personal files, documents, and spreadsheets are stored separately on your hard drive. Uninstalling or reinstalling the Office applications will not delete or affect your saved files.
Where can I find my Office 2013 product key?
You can find your 25-character product key on the original physical packaging card, in your confirmation email if purchased digitally, or by logging into the 'Services & subscriptions' page of your Microsoft account.
Can I still download Office 2013 even though Microsoft ended support?
Yes. While Microsoft no longer provides security updates or technical support for Office 2013, you can still download the installation files from the Microsoft setup website as long as you have a valid product key linked to your account.
Why does Microsoft keep prompting me to upgrade to Microsoft 365?
Microsoft actively encourages users to move to their subscription-based service, Microsoft 365, because older standalone versions like Office 2013 are obsolete. You can bypass these prompts by strictly using the setup link with your original product key.
