The fastest way depends on which version you own

If you bought Microsoft Office as a one-time purchase (Office 2021 or Office 2019), you can move it to a new computer by signing into your Microsoft account and reinstalling it. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription (the monthly or yearly plan), you can simply sign in on the new computer and download Office there — your subscription follows you automatically. The key difference is that subscriptions move freely between devices, while one-time purchases are tied to your account and can only run on a limited number of computers at once.

Before you start, check which version you own. Open any Office program on your current computer, go to File, then Account. If you see "Microsoft 365 subscription" or a renewal date, you have a subscription. If you see "Office 2021" or "Office 2019" with no renewal date, you own a one-time license.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft 365 subscriptions move to a new computer automatically when you sign in with your Microsoft account and download Office.
  • One-time Office purchases (2021, 2019) require you to sign in, go to File > Account > Change License, and choose to move the license to your new computer.
  • You can run a one-time Office license on only one computer at a time, but you can move it between computers as often as you need.
  • On your new computer, download Office from microsoft.com or the Microsoft Store, then sign in with the same Microsoft account you used on the old computer.

Moving a Microsoft 365 subscription

With a Microsoft 365 subscription, the process is straightforward because your subscription is tied to your Microsoft account, not to a specific computer. On your new computer, go to microsoft.com, sign in with the same Microsoft account you used on your old computer, and select Install Office. Choose whether you want the desktop version or the web version, then follow the installer.

If you want to keep Office on your old computer as well, you can — most Microsoft 365 subscriptions let you install Office on up to five devices at once. However, you can only use Office actively on one device at a time if you have a personal subscription. If you have a Microsoft 365 Family plan, each family member can use Office on their own devices simultaneously.

After installation finishes, open any Office program and sign in with your Microsoft account. Your subscription and any documents stored in OneDrive will sync automatically.

Moving a one-time Office license (2021 or 2019)

One-time Office licenses are locked to your Microsoft account and can only run on one computer at a time. To move your license to a new computer, you first need to deactivate it on your old computer. Open any Office program, go to File, then Account. Look for a button that says Change License or Deactivate. Click it and choose to move your license to a different device.

Some versions of Office do not show this option directly. If you do not see it, sign out of your Microsoft account in Office instead. Go to File > Account > Sign Out. This does not remove Office from your computer, but it frees up your license to use elsewhere.

On your new computer, download Office from microsoft.com or the Microsoft Store. Run the installer, then sign in with the same Microsoft account. Office will recognize your license and activate automatically. If it does not activate within a few minutes, restart the program.

What to do if you cannot sign in on the new computer

If you forgot your Microsoft account password, go to account.microsoft.com and select Sign In. Click "Can't access your account?" and follow the recovery steps. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number or backup email address you set up previously.

If you do not remember which Microsoft account you used to buy Office, check your email for a receipt from Microsoft. Search for "Office receipt" or "Microsoft purchase" in your email inbox. The receipt will show which account the license is attached to. If you cannot find a receipt and do not remember the account, you may need to contact Microsoft Support to recover or reassign your license.

Uninstalling Office from your old computer

After you have successfully installed and activated Office on your new computer, you can remove it from your old computer. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find Microsoft Office, and click Uninstall. On Mac, open the Applications folder, find Microsoft Office, and drag it to the Trash.

You do not have to uninstall Office from your old computer immediately. With a one-time license, Office will simply stop working on the old computer once you move the license. With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can keep Office on both computers if you want, though you can only actively use it on one at a time with a personal plan.

Transferring your files and settings

Moving Office itself is separate from moving your documents. If your files are stored in OneDrive, they will sync automatically once you sign in on your new computer — you do not need to do anything. If your files are stored locally on your old computer, you can copy them to an external drive, cloud storage, or directly to your new computer over your network.

Office settings like custom templates, add-ins, and AutoCorrect entries do not transfer automatically. If you have custom templates you want to keep, save them to OneDrive or copy them manually. Most people find it simpler to set up Office fresh on the new computer and recreate any custom settings they use regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Office license on two computers at the same time?

With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can install Office on multiple computers, but you can only actively use it on one device at a time if you have a personal plan. With a one-time license, you can only run it on one computer at a time, period. To use it on a second computer, you must deactivate it on the first.

What happens if I try to sign in on a new computer before deactivating the old one?

With a one-time license, Office will show an error saying the license is already in use on another device. You will need to go back to your old computer and deactivate it first. With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can sign in on as many devices as you want — the subscription just limits how many you can use simultaneously.

Do I need to buy a new Office license for my new computer?

No. Your license follows your Microsoft account, not your computer. As long as you sign in with the same account on your new computer, your existing license works. You only need to buy a new license if you want to run Office on a second computer at the same time with a one-time purchase.

Where do I download Office on my new computer?

Go to microsoft.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and look for the Install Office button. You can also download from the Microsoft Store on Windows 11. Both routes will recognize your license and let you install the version you own or subscribe to.

What if my new computer is a Mac and my old one was Windows?

Office licenses work across Windows and Mac as long as you sign in with the same Microsoft account. Download Office for Mac from microsoft.com, sign in, and your license will activate. The installation process is the same whether you are moving between the same operating system or switching between them.