Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
Product keys and personal data must not be shared publicly. Do not post these codes again.
To reinstall Office Home & Student 2021 on the desktop, use the Microsoft account that was originally used to redeem each product key. The product is tied to that account, not to the key itself.
Follow these steps on the desktop PC:
- Uninstall any wrong or trial Office versions
- In Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Uninstall entries such as Microsoft 365, Office Trial, or any Office version that is not Home & Student 2021.
- Restart the PC.
- Sign in to the correct Microsoft account
- Go to the Microsoft account dashboard: https://account.microsoft.com
- Select Sign in and use the Microsoft account that was used when Office Home & Student 2021 was first activated.
- If the account is forgotten, use the guidance in “I forgot the account I use with Microsoft 365” to help identify it.
- Download Office Home & Student 2021
- After signing in, on the account dashboard select Services & subscriptions (or Office apps depending on the page layout).
- Locate Office Home & Student 2021 in the list.
- Select Install (or Install > Install on this device).
- This downloads the correct installer for the one-time purchase.
- Install and activate
- Run the downloaded setup file.
- When installation finishes, open Word or Excel.
- If prompted, sign in with the same Microsoft account used in step 2.
- The product should show as activated under File > Account.
For the Office already installed on the laptop, do not reuse the same product key. That installation should also appear under Services & subscriptions for the same Microsoft account. If both keys were redeemed, both licenses will be listed there and can be reinstalled from that page when needed.
If Office does not appear under the signed-in account, sign out and try any other Microsoft accounts that might have been used until the correct one showing Office Home & Student 2021 is found.
References:
- I forgot the account I use with Microsoft 365
- Troubleshoot installing Office
- Download and install or reinstall Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016
- Reactivate Microsoft 365 or Office
- Reinstall Office or Microsoft 365 in your Office Pre-installed PC (for personal)
- How can I install Home Office 2024 with my Microsoft Account with your directions. - Microsoft Q&A