Office · Any · about 20 minutes · updated July 1, 2026

How to move your Office licence to a new computer

Bought a new PC or Mac? Your one-time Office licence can move with you — one device at a time. Here is how to transfer it cleanly.

Before you start

01
Deactivate on the old machine
On the old computer open Word → File → Account → Sign out, then uninstall Office from Settings → Apps (Windows) or drag the apps to the Bin (Mac). This frees the licence.
02
Open your Microsoft account
Go to account.microsoft.com → Services & subscriptions. Your Office 2024 or 2019 edition is listed with an Install button.
03
Install on the new computer
Click Install, run the downloaded setup file and wait for it to finish.
04
Activate
Open any Office app and sign in with the same Microsoft account. Activation is instant.
05
Tidy the device list
Under Services & subscriptions → Devices you can see where the licence is active. Remove old machines you no longer own.

If something goes wrong

Common snags.

The old computer died — I cannot deactivate it

Skip step one. Install on the new machine and sign in; if activation says the licence is in use, remove the old device from the Devices list online.

Can I run it on two machines at once?

No. A perpetual licence is one device at a time. Need a second? Ask us about volume pricing.

I switched from Windows to Mac (or back)

Office 2024 licences are platform-specific. Contact us and we will advise on the right edition.

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