How to use 365 subscription on old computer and Home and Business (purchased) on new computer

Question

How to use 365 subscription on old computer and Home and Business (purchased) on new computer

wordgardenlady 0

Now that I have purchased a new computer and also purchased Home and Business software and downloaded it to my new computer, my older computer is still on my network but now will not work even though I still have Microsoft 365 subscription on it. What can I do to use my new software on my new computer and still use my older computer? Thanks for any help you can give!

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Sirri Berat Cinkilic 100 Reputation points

2026-04-14T20:02:11.5433333+00:00

It sounds like you may have two different licenses MS 365 and Home or business, which normally wouldn t affect each other. However, if your old computer isn’t working, it could be a sign in or activation issue. I d recommend signing in again or reinstalling Office to reactivate it.
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-15T21:00:40.58+00:00

Sirri, thank you for your suggestion. My older computer is still working. I just wanted to use the 365 subscription on it and the Home and Business on the new computer, but do not seem to be able to do it.

Answer recommended by moderator

John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Independent Advisor

Thank you for letting me know.

Right now, your Microsoft 365 subscription is tied to the new computer, and your old computer lost the license.

Also, your new PC is still trying to use Microsoft 365 instead of Home & Business.

We just need to separate them properly.

On your NEW computer:

Open any Office app
Go to File > Account
Click Sign out
Close all Office apps
Reopen and sign in with the account used to activate Home & Business

This should switch it to the correct license.

On your OLD computer:

Open any Office app
Go to File > Account
Sign in with the account that has your Microsoft 365 subscription

If it still says “subscription cancelled”, then check here:

https://account.microsoft.com/services

Most likely cause: the subscription is inactive or signed into the wrong account.

Tell me what you see on the Services page. That will confirm the next step.

wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T20:08:53.4566667+00:00

Again, thanks John. I now have the use of Home and Business on new computer! And I can sort out the subscription thing on my older computer. Thanks so much for responding.
John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-16T20:10:31.73+00:00

Glad to assist!

I really hope this information is helpful! :)

If you'd like, you can click "Yes" below the response that provided the helpful info. This way, any users who come across this thread with similar issues will find the info and benefit as well.

Thank you!
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T20:10:55.74+00:00

ACCEPTED, thank you!

1 additional answer

Sirri Berat Cinkilic 100 Reputation points

2026-04-14T20:02:11.5433333+00:00

It sounds like you may have two different licenses MS 365 and Home or business, which normally wouldn t affect each other. However, if your old computer isn’t working, it could be a sign in or activation issue. I d recommend signing in again or reinstalling Office to reactivate it.
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-15T21:00:40.58+00:00

Sirri, thank you for your suggestion. My older computer is still working. I just wanted to use the 365 subscription on it and the Home and Business on the new computer, but do not seem to be able to do it.
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T20:08:53.4566667+00:00

Again, thanks John. I now have the use of Home and Business on new computer! And I can sort out the subscription thing on my older computer. Thanks so much for responding.
John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-16T20:10:31.73+00:00

Glad to assist!

I really hope this information is helpful! :)

If you'd like, you can click "Yes" below the response that provided the helpful info. This way, any users who come across this thread with similar issues will find the info and benefit as well.

Thank you!
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T20:10:55.74+00:00

ACCEPTED, thank you!

Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Independent Advisor

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

Are you able to see your Microsoft 365 subscription under the Services & subscriptions page here: https://account.microsoft.com/services (make sure you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account you used to activate Office)?

If you can see it there, please follow these steps below.

Before installing, it’s a good idea to uninstall all existing versions of Office to avoid conflicts.

Here’s how:

Open the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Look for any version of Microsoft Office or Office apps, right-click, then choose Uninstall. Please uninstall all Office apps.
Once that’s done, restart your computer just to be safe.

Then, to reinstall Microsoft Office:

Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services again.
Sign in using the same Microsoft account linked to your license.
Find your Microsoft 365 subscription and click the "Install".
That will download the installer for the Office apps, just run it and follow the steps.

If anything’s unclear or the "Install" option still doesn’t show, feel free to let me know. I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

I really hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Regards,

John J.D.

John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-15T06:59:18.63+00:00

If the issue persists, or should you need further assistance, please let me know.
John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-15T20:55:37.7566667+00:00

I noticed that you marked my response as not helpful. I understand your frustration.

May I know where you are currently stuck after following my steps? I'm here to help you further.
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-15T20:56:58.4233333+00:00

John, thank you for your help. I was not clear enough about my problem. I want to run the 365 subscription on my older working computer and at the same time run my new Home and Business on new computer. Maybe this cannot be done!
John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-15T20:59:54.3566667+00:00

Thank you for letting me know.

This can be done.

Microsoft 365 (subscription) and Office Home & Business (one-time purchase) are separate licenses and can coexist on different PC device simultaneously.

May I know where you are currently stuck after following my steps? I'm here to help you further.
John Jefferson Doyon 88,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-15T21:04:03.7666667+00:00
To help narrow down the issue:

What exactly shows under “Product Information” on the old PC?

Does it say “Unlicensed Product” or something else?

Are you using the same Microsoft account on both devices?

Most of the time, this happens when the old PC is signed into the wrong account or lost the license.
wordgardenlady 0 Reputation points

2026-04-15T23:38:44.87+00:00

Thank you, John! Yes, it says "unlicensed product" and "Your subscription has been cancelled". However it now shows up on new computer. And will not let me use the Home and Business software. Thanks again for your input. Good to know that what I want to do is possible.