Transfer Office 2016 License to a New PC & Fix Excel Crashes
Question details
User needs to know how to transfer a one-time Microsoft Office 2016 license to a new Windows 10 device and how to resolve instances where Excel crashes immediately after installation.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Transferring an existing one-time Office 2016 purchase to a new Windows 10 computer and troubleshooting post-installation crashes in Excel.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to ensure smooth license migration to a new device since retail licenses allow only one installation. Additionally, Excel sometimes crashes after the new installation is complete.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your original Office 2016 purchase before attempting to uninstall it from your old PC.
Transfer the Office 2016 License to Your New Computer
Use this method to safely move your retail one-time purchase of Office 2016 from an old computer to a new Windows 10 device.
Retail versions of Office, such as Office Home and Student 2016, can generally be installed on only one computer at a time. To transfer your software to a new Windows 10 PC, you must deactivate it on the old machine first.
On your old computer, navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Locate your Microsoft Office 2016 installation, click on it, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to completely remove the software.
On your new Windows 10 computer, open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com/services. Sign in using the exact Microsoft account you used to originally purchase or register Office 2016.
Locate your Office 2016 product under the Services & subscriptions page. Click the Install button to download the installer, then run the setup file to install Office on your new PC.
Open any Office application like Word or Excel. You will be prompted to activate the software. If online activation fails because the key was previously used, follow the on-screen prompts to complete telephone activation with Microsoft Support.
Fix Excel Crashes After Installation
Follow these troubleshooting steps if Microsoft Excel crashes during launch or while in use on your newly configured Windows 10 computer.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of dealing with strict one-time license transfers and crashing applications? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to seamlessly edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without activation headaches.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation file for Windows.
- 2. Install quickly: Run the installer. The lightweight package installs in minutes without bogging down your system resources.
- 3. Open your Office files: Simply double-click any of your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them directly in WPS Office with formatting perfectly preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Office Home & Student 2016 on two computers at the same time?
No, retail one-time purchases of Office 2016 are licensed for a single computer at a time. You must uninstall it from the first device before you can successfully activate it on a second one.
Why does my Office 2016 product key say it is already in use on my new Windows 10 PC?
This happens if the Microsoft activation servers still register the software on your old computer. You may need to use the telephone activation method provided in the Microsoft activation wizard to complete the transfer manually.
What should I do if Excel 2016 keeps crashing even in Safe Mode?
If Excel still crashes in Safe Mode, the issue is likely not related to add-ins. You should navigate to Windows Settings > Apps, select your Office 2016 installation, click Modify, and choose 'Online Repair' to redownload and fix corrupted program files.
Is Microsoft Office 2016 fully compatible with Windows 10?
Yes, Office 2016 is generally fully compatible with Windows 10. Just ensure you keep both your Windows 10 operating system and your Office software updated to the latest versions to prevent performance and compatibility issues.
