Windows 11 word

mary roy 20 Reputation points
2026-05-31T10:10:54.2833333+00:00

I had to transfer to a computer with windows 11. My old comp. wouldn't accept windows 11. How do I get word from my old computer without paying for it.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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DaveM121 936.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-31T10:42:47.85+00:00

When you first installed and activated Office that licence should have become associated to your Microsoft Account as a digital licence online and it is from there that you can re-install Office without the need for a product key:

https://account.microsoft.com/services/

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-31T10:11:03.6466667+00:00

    Word (and other Office apps) cannot be copied directly from the old PC; it must be installed and activated on the new Windows 11 PC using the existing license.

    Use the appropriate method based on the type of Office/Word license previously owned:

    1. If Word/Office was a one-time purchase (e.g., Office Home & Student)
    • Uninstall Office from the old computer if it is still working (recommended licensing practice).
    • On the new Windows 11 PC, sign in with the same Microsoft account that was used to redeem or buy Office.
    • Go to the Services & subscriptions page for that account and reinstall Office from there. The same product key/license is reused; no new payment is required.
    • After installation, open Word and sign in with that same Microsoft account to activate.
    1. If Word/Office was part of a Microsoft 365 subscription
    • Install Office on the new PC by signing in with the same Microsoft account that owns the Microsoft 365 subscription.
    • Word will activate as long as the subscription is still active.
    1. If Word/Office was an older perpetual version with a product key
    • Office must be uninstalled from the old PC first.
    • Install the matching Office version on the new PC, then enter the same product key when prompted.
    • The product key is tied to the license already purchased; it is not necessary to pay again.

    If Office is not visible under the current Microsoft account’s Services & subscriptions, it may have been redeemed under a different Microsoft account; that account must be used to reinstall without paying again.

    Note: Office 2007 and earlier are not compatible with Windows 10, and by extension are not supported on newer Windows versions.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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