Can I Move Microsoft Office to a New Computer?

Upgrading to a new PC but don’t want to repurchase Microsoft Office? You’re not alone. Whether it’s Word, Excel, or Outlook, Microsoft Office is a staple in both professional and personal computing. But when it’s time to switch devices, many users wonder: Can I move Microsoft Office to a new computer? The answer is yes—but with a few caveats.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about transferring your Office installation to a new computer, including license types, deactivation steps, and activation on the new machine.

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Understanding Your Microsoft Office License

Before you jump into the transfer process, the first thing to check is your license type. Not all Office versions are transferable.

H3: Types of Microsoft Office Licenses

There are three common types of Office licenses:

• Retail License: Purchased from a store or online. Transferable to another PC.
• OEM License: Comes pre-installed on a new computer. Tied to that device; non-transferable.
• Volume License: Used by businesses or organizations. May be transferable depending on the agreement.

💡 Tip: If you bought Office separately or as a digital download from Microsoft, chances are it’s a Retail License—which you can move.

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How to Check Your Office License Type

You can verify your license type by following these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type the following and press Enter:
   cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus
   (Replace “Office16” with your version, e.g., Office15, Office19)
3. Look for License Description in the output. If it says Retail, you’re good to go!

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Steps to Move Microsoft Office to a New Computer

H3: Step 1: Deactivate Office on the Old Computer

Before installing on a new device, you need to deactivate Office on the old one to avoid license conflicts.

For Microsoft 365 or Office 2019/2021:

• Sign in at https://account.microsoft.com/services
• Locate your Office product under Subscriptions or Purchases
• Click Manage > Deactivate Install

Note: This won’t uninstall Office, but it will prevent the old device from using your license.

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H3: Step 2: Uninstall Office from the Old Computer

While deactivation is enough, uninstalling Office helps avoid confusion:

• Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program
• Find Microsoft Office, click it, and select Uninstall

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H3: Step 3: Install Office on the New Computer

Once you’ve deactivated/uninstalled Office on the old device:

1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com
2. Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Office purchase
3. Navigate to Services & Subscriptions
4. Click Install Office and follow the instructions

The installer will download Office and guide you through the setup process.

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H3: Step 4: Activate Office on the New Device

After installation:

• Launch any Office app (e.g., Word or Excel)
• Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted
• Office should auto-activate if your license is valid and deactivated elsewhere

If issues arise, use the “Troubleshoot Activation” option or contact Microsoft Support.

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What If You Have Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) makes transferring even easier. Since it’s subscription-based:

• You can install it on multiple devices
• It automatically manages activations
• You just sign in and start using it!

You can deactivate old devices from your account dashboard without uninstalling Office.

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Can You Use the Same Office License on Two Computers?

This depends on your Office version:

• Microsoft 365: Yes, it supports multiple devices.
• Office 2019/2021 Retail: Typically, one computer at a time.
• Office Home & Student: Single-use only.

Always check the license terms to avoid violations or activation errors.

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What If You No Longer Have Access to the Old Computer?

No worries. If your old PC is broken, lost, or wiped:

1. Sign in to your Microsoft account
2. Go to the Services & Subscriptions section
3. Deactivate the old install from there
4. Install and activate Office on your new device

Microsoft may prompt you to contact support if automatic deactivation isn’t available—but in most cases, it’s straightforward.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

H3: Activation Fails on New Computer

• Make sure the license is deactivated on the old PC
• Confirm you’re using the correct Microsoft account
• Try signing out and back into Office

H3: Office Says License Is Already in Use

• Go to your Microsoft account and remove old devices
• If problems persist, contact Microsoft support directly

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Conclusion: Yes, You Can Move Microsoft Office to a New Computer

Transferring Microsoft Office is entirely possible—as long as your license type allows it. The key steps are:

• Verify your license
• Deactivate Office on the old device
• Install and activate it on the new one

If you’re using Microsoft 365, the process is even easier thanks to cloud-based management.