New Computer Transfer Microsoft office

Hi Deborah,

To further help you with activation issue, can you please provide a full error message when you are trying to activate the office on new device and also a screenshot of the would also be much appreciated.

Follow these steps based on the type of Office license.

1. If using a Microsoft 365 subscription

• On the new computer, go to https://www.office.com and sign in with the same Microsoft account used for the subscription.
• Select Apps on the left.
• In the upper-right corner, select Install apps to download the installer.
• Run the downloaded file and complete setup. This installs the desktop Office apps on the new computer.

2. If using a one-time purchase (Office 2024/2021/2019/2016, Home & Business, Home & Student, Professional)

• These can be installed on only one computer at a time.
• On the old computer:
  • Uninstall Office so the license can be reused.
• On the new computer:
  • Install Office from the Microsoft account that the product is associated with (for example via the services page) or from installation media.
  • If prompted that the maximum number of activations has been reached, choose Activate by telephone and complete phone activation.
• Make sure the transfer follows the Software License Terms. For Office 2019 and 2016, transfer terms are in section 3. Transfer to a Third Party of the license.

3. If activating with a product key

• Uninstall Office from the old computer.
• Install Office on the new computer.
• When prompted, enter the same product key that was used on the old device.

4. If in the European Economic Area and transferring the license to another person (one-time purchase)

• Contact Microsoft customer support as described in the transfer article.
• Verify identity with the Microsoft account that owns the license and provide the recipient’s email.
• Microsoft will cancel the current entitlement and email the new licensee instructions to associate the license with their account.

If activation still fails after these steps, check the Software License Terms from any Office app via File > Account > About [app] > View the Microsoft Software License Terms to confirm transfer rights, then use phone activation as required.

References:

• Transfer your Office license to another device or another person
• Activate Office after reinstalling or installing on a different device
• Find your Office apps in Windows
• Find your Office apps in Windows 10
• move microsoft 360 to new computer - Microsoft Q&A
• Move my Home and Student 2016 to a new computer - Microsoft Q&A
• Cannot reinstall office 2024 on same PC, but using new account because old account is locked - Microsoft Q&A
• How to install my 365 accounts on a new computer - Microsoft Q&A
• I have a subscription to Office 365 and want to install it on my new laptop - Microsoft Q&A