Move Office to a new PC - how it works

If you want to move Microsoft Office to a new PC, this is quite easy with Office 365, Office 2013 and Office 2016. We'll show you step by step how this works.

Office move: You should know that

Before you start moving, you should make sure which version of Office you are using. There are slight differences depending on the version.

• If you use Office 365's annual subscription, you don't need to move properly. Here it is sufficient if you log in to the new PC with your Microsoft account.
• If you bought an Office version like Office 2013 or Office 2016, you need the 25-digit key to move. Where you can find the key and how the move works, we explain in the following instructions.

Step 1: secure Office product key

• To reactivate Microsoft Office, you need the 25-character product key. You can find this on the back of the DVD case, for example. If you bought Office online from a retailer, the key was sent to you by email.
• If you bought the software directly from Microsoft with your Microsoft account or later logged into Office with your Microsoft account, the key and account are linked. You simply have to log in to Office again later with your account. If there are any problems, you can find help at www.office.com/myaccount.
• Do not follow the next steps until you have found the Office product key. Alternatively, you can simply read out the key. To do this, follow the instructions in this practical tip.
• Please note: If you can install Office on several computers with your license, these are linked to your Microsoft account. There you can also withdraw the license from individual computers and install Office on a new PC.

Step 2: Uninstall Office on an old PC

To use Office on the new PC, you must first remove the software on the old PC. In the following instructions we show you the usual way of uninstalling. Alternatively, you can completely uninstall Office.

1. Open the Control Panel and click on "Uninstall a program" under "Programs".
2. Look for the entry "Microsoft Office" in the list and select it with the mouse.
3. Click on the "Uninstall" button above and follow the next steps.

Step 3: move Office to a new PC

• Now install Microsoft Office on your new computer. Simply insert the Office CD into your computer. If this is not available, you can simply download Office.
• At CHIP you will find Office 365, Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft Office 2013 Home & Business, Microsoft Office 2013 - Professional Plus and Microsoft Office 2013 Home and Student for download. When downloading, make sure that you download the 32- or 64-bit version.
• If you then start an office software such as Word or Excel, you will be prompted to activate the software. You can activate it either via the Internet or by telephone.
• If you bought the software directly from Microsoft, you can simply log in with your Microsoft account. The key is then no longer required.
• If reactivating Office doesn't work, just call Microsoft. You can reach the free hotline on 0800 28 48 283. You will then be given a new product key, stating the old key.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to deactivate the automatic updates from Microsoft Office.