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Redeem a new Office product key once through Microsoft, using the Microsoft account you want associated with the license. Then download and install the linked product from that account. If the key has already been redeemed, skip redemption and sign in with the account that owns the license.
Before you start: new setup or reinstall?
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You have a new, unused product key | Sign in to Microsoft’s setup page and redeem the key. Microsoft links the license to that account; use an account you can access for future installs and activation. |
| You have already redeemed the key | Do not redeem it again. Sign in to the Microsoft account associated with the license and install the Office product listed there. |
These steps apply to a one-time Office purchase, not a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft describes Office 2024 as a single upfront purchase for one computer; check the exact edition you bought and its terms. Microsoft’s overview of Office suites for individuals and families explains the one-computer scope. For the difference from a subscription, see Microsoft’s Try or buy Microsoft 365 page.
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Redeem a new product key
- Open Microsoft’s product-key instructions and follow the link to redeem your key.
- Sign in to the Microsoft account you want to own the license. Confirm that it is the right account before continuing.
- Enter the product key and complete the on-screen redemption steps. Once linked, the license is associated with that Microsoft account; later installations use the account rather than starting over with key entry.
If you bought Office from the Microsoft Store, you can also check Microsoft Store Order History for the purchase. Microsoft says selecting Install Office there displays the product key; it does not install Office by itself.
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- Go to Microsoft 365 apps and sign in with the account linked to the Office purchase.
- Select the Office product associated with your account. Choose Install apps, then Install or Microsoft 365 apps, depending on the options shown.
- Choose the PC or Mac instructions and follow the prompts to download and run the installer. The precise steps and buttons can differ by operating system and product version; downloading the installer is not the same as completing installation.
- When setup finishes, open an Office app and follow any prompts to complete activation.
Microsoft’s current Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 installation instructions direct users to the apps page. Use the platform-specific steps shown there rather than assuming the PC and Mac screens are identical.
#1 Best Overall
- Classic Office Apps | Includes classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease.
- Install on a Single Device | Install classic desktop Office Apps for use on a single Windows laptop, Windows desktop, MacBook, or iMac.
- Ideal for One Person | With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- Consider Upgrading to Microsoft 365 | Get premium benefits with a Microsoft 365 subscription, including ongoing updates, advanced security, and access to premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, plus 1TB cloud storage per person and multi-device support for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Activate Office when prompted
If Office asks you to activate, sign in with the Microsoft account used to buy or redeem the license. If an activation wizard appears, follow its instructions. Microsoft’s guidance for activating Office for Windows and for activating after reinstalling or installing on another device covers those prompts.
If there is no Install option
Microsoft asks, “Don’t see an install option after signing in?” First check whether you are signed in to the account tied to the purchase and whether the product key has been redeemed. A license linked to a different account will not appear under the account currently signed in. Check the purchase or order history if you are unsure which account was used, then sign in with the associated one.
Rank #2
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- 1 TB Secure Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Easy Digital Download with Microsoft Account | Product delivered electronically for quick setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account, redeem your code, and download your apps instantly to your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
Reinstalling older Office versions
For one-time purchases of Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016, Microsoft’s legacy instructions say to redeem a supplied key once and then install through the account associated with it. Follow the steps on Microsoft’s Office 2021, 2019, and 2016 install page. Microsoft states that support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 has ended, so those installation instructions do not mean those versions remain supported.
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Do not assume a one-time license can be moved to any computer. Transfer eligibility depends on the edition’s license terms. Microsoft’s instructions for a permitted move describe activating by phone and uninstalling Office from the original computer; check the terms and the applicable steps in its activation guidance for a different device before transferring.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
- Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
- Up to 2 TB Shared Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
- Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
- Share Your Family Subscription | You can share all of your subscription benefits with up to 6 people for use across all their devices.
Rank #3
![Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 | Classic Desktop Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote | One-Time Purchase for 1 PC/MAC | Instant Download [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41H8B5iqO4L._SL160_.jpg)
- [Ideal for One Person] — With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
- [Classic Office Apps] — Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
- [Desktop Only & Customer Support] — To install and use on one PC or Mac, on desktop only. Microsoft 365 has your back with readily available technical support through chat or phone.
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