How to Transfer Microsoft Office to Another Computer

By Gina Barrow, Last updated: January 9, 2024

“Is there a way on how to transfer Microsoft Office to another computer? Thanks”

Getting a new computer is as exciting as having a brand new phone. You get to customize and transfer your old files to the new desktop. However, unlike most apps and files, Microsoft Office is different.

Microsoft Office offers a bundle of applications that make working easier. It comes with reliable apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, and more. However, each Microsoft Office application, depending on the license type, comes with an activation key.

The license is also dependent on your purchase, you can buy a single license for your personal computer or you can buy multiple licenses for business use. Now, if in case you get a new computer, transferring Microsoft Office becomes tricky and messy.

There are rules and conditions for a purchased license to consider before you can transfer the Microsoft Office to another computer. Today, let’s help you get your files together and learn how to transfer Microsoft Office to another computer.

Before We Transfer Microsoft Office to Another Computer

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Part 1. Important Things to Consider Before Transferring Microsoft Office Part 2. How to Transfer Microsoft Office via Office 365 Subscription Part 3. How to Transfer Microsoft Office 2010 & 2013 to Another Computer Part 4. Summary

Part 1. Important Things to Consider Before Transferring Microsoft Office

Each Microsoft Office has different license tags, and every specific License type includes some limitations which is the main reason why we recommend that you verify the type of license your Microsoft Office has.

If you are using Microsoft Office 365 subscription, then you don’t have any problems regarding transferring it to another computer. You will find the full guide on how to transfer Microsoft Office to another computer in the next parts of this article.

Currently, Product Key Card (PKC), Full Product Pack (FPP), Home Use Program (HUP), Electronic Software Download (ESD), and Point of Sale Activation (POSA) are the allowed Microsoft license types eligible for transfer.

Follow these steps in order to verify if your Microsoft Office license is eligible for transfer:

For Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019
Press the Windows logo + X on your keyboard
Select Command prompt (Administrator)
Click Allow if asked for a security prompt
For 32-bit (x86) Office type in: cd c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\ and then type cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus, and then press Enter. For 64-bit (x64) Office: cd c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\

If you are using Office 2013:

Search and open the DVD or ISO file on the File Explorer
Find the Admin folder

If there is an Admin folder, this disc is a volume license (VL) and if there is none, then this disc is a Retail Edition.

Here is another option to check the license type of your Office 2013:

Open the Command Prompt
For 32-bit (x86) Office key in cd c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\

For 64-bit (x64) Office, enter: cd c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\

Type cscript ospp.vbs /dstatus and press Enter

After verifying the license tag of your Microsoft Office, the next thing you need to know is the right to transfer the software to another computer.

Only the Retail and Full Product Pack license tags allow Office 2010 and 2013 transfer. The rest of the license types are restrained for transfer, the software retains on the computer until the hardware dies out.

Part 2. How to Transfer Microsoft Office via Office 365 Subscription

So, how to transfer Microsoft Office to another computer? Earlier, it’s been mentioned that Microsoft Office 365 is easier and is eligible to transfer to another computer. All it takes is a Microsoft account to deactivate the subscription on your current computer and install and reactivate it on the new one.

Follow this step by step guide on how to transfer your Microsoft Office 365 subscription:

Go to the Microsoft Office website and log in to your linked account
Click My Account and go for More Options
Open the Install section
Select Deactivate Install
Choose Deactivate to confirm
After deactivating your Microsoft Office 365 subscription, open the Control Panel on your computer
Uninstall the Microsoft Office from the Add or Remove a Program setting

Deactivate Subscription before Transfer Microsoft Office to Another Computer

You have just known how to transfer Microsoft Office to another computer, now it’s time to learn how to install it on the new one. Check out this complete guide below:

On your new computer, open a browser and visit the Microsoft website again and log in to your account
Proceed to My Account
Go to Install
Launch the Installer and follow the onscreen installation guide
Authenticate the software installation by entering the product key. If you don’t have a copy of the product key, you can go back to your Microsoft Account online and go to Services & Subscription section. From there, you can see the product key of the Microsoft Office you have.
After entering the product key, click Install and wait for the process to be completed

View Product Key to Authenticate Microsoft Office

You can now enjoy using the programs under Microsoft Office such as your MS Word on the new computer.

Part 3. How to Transfer Microsoft Office 2010 & 2013 to Another Computer

If you own a separate Microsoft Office 2010 or 2013 that is not linked with Microsoft Office 365, then the transfer process is different and not highly promising. This is because some license types limit the number of times it can be transferred to another system.

Using the same verification method given in the first part, check and verify if your current Microsoft Office is eligible for transfer.

If yes, then follow these steps:

Go to Control Panel, select Programs, and then click on Programs and Features
Find the Microsoft Office application and uninstall
Check if your new computer has a trial version of Microsoft Office, if there is, uninstall it completely.
Install your Microsoft Office via CD or media package
Activate the application by opening any MS Office program. Open your MS Word and go to its menu, find and click Account.
Enter the product license and activate

Your Microsoft Office is now transferred over. In case you received error messages upon activating the product key, you need to contact Microsoft’s customer service to help you further.

Part 4. Summary

The steps on how to transfer Microsoft Office to Another computer are often messy and confusing, leaving users stuck. However, in this article, the types of Microsoft Offices were clearly discussed, their licenses, and their corresponding transfer concerns.

Microsoft Office 2016 and 365 do not need a lot of things during transfer. You only need a single Microsoft account to access your products anytime. We have provided you with step by step guide on how to transfer earlier versions like the MS Office 2010 and 2013.

You should be enjoying various Microsoft Office programs by this time, and in case you are wondering how you can also transfer files in between your Smartphone and the new computer, use FoneDog Phone Transfer.

This software handles all types of transfers whether, Smartphone to Smartphone and Smartphone to PC, regardless of the operating system. Check it out to learn more and see how easy it is to move files using this program.

Have you transferred your Microsoft Office successfully? What solution worked out for you?

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