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Redeem an unused Office product key once while signed in to the Microsoft account you want linked to the license. Then use that same account to find and install Office. If the license is already linked, skip redemption and go straight to the install step.

Before you start: new setup or reinstall?

The right installation route depends on whether the product key has already been redeemed:

  • First setup with an unused key: Redeem it at Microsoft’s Office product-key setup page while signed in to the Microsoft account you want associated with Office. Microsoft says redemption links the product to that account once.
  • Reinstalling or installing on another device: Sign in with the Microsoft account already associated with the license and locate the product’s install option. Do not try to redeem the same key again.

Use an account you can access in the future. The linked account is how you find the product for later installation and is also the account Microsoft directs users to use if activation asks them to sign in.

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Download and install Office from your Microsoft account

  1. Sign in to Microsoft’s apps page: Go to m365.cloud.microsoft/apps and sign in with the account linked to your Office purchase.
  2. Find the purchased Office product: Select the Office product associated with your account. For the current Office 2024 flow, Microsoft directs users to choose Install apps, then select Install or Microsoft 365 apps, depending on what the interface shows.
  3. Follow the instructions for your computer: Choose the PC or Mac instructions and follow the prompts on Microsoft’s download and installation page. The steps and buttons can vary by platform and version; downloading the installer is not the same as completing installation.
  4. Open the installer: Run the downloaded file and follow its on-screen prompts to install Office.
  5. Activate if prompted: Sign in with the Microsoft account used to buy Office. If an activation wizard appears, follow its prompts. See Microsoft’s guidance for activating Office for Windows or activation after reinstalling or installing on another device.

If you bought Office from Microsoft Store

You can check Microsoft Store Order History to identify the one-time Office purchase or individual app. Microsoft says choosing Install Office there displays the product key; it does not install Office by itself. Use the account-linked apps page and installation steps above to install the product.

#1 Best Overall
Microsoft Office Home 2024 | Classic Office Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint | One-Time Purchase for a single Windows laptop or Mac | Instant Download
  • Classic Office Apps | Includes classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease.
  • Install on a Single Device | Install classic desktop Office Apps for use on a single Windows laptop, Windows desktop, MacBook, or iMac.
  • Ideal for One Person | With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
  • Consider Upgrading to Microsoft 365 | Get premium benefits with a Microsoft 365 subscription, including ongoing updates, advanced security, and access to premium versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more, plus 1TB cloud storage per person and multi-device support for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

If there is no install option

Microsoft’s support page asks, “Don’t see an install option after signing in?” Start with these checks:

  • Confirm you are signed in with the Microsoft account associated with the purchase. A different account may not show the linked product.
  • If this is a new key, check whether it has been redeemed and linked to an account. If it has not, complete the one-time redemption first.
  • If you bought through Microsoft Store, check Order History to confirm which product was purchased and view its key if needed.

Microsoft’s installation guidance covers the account-linked install process and platform-specific steps.

Rank #2
Microsoft 365 Personal | 12-Month Subscription | 1 Person | Premium Office Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more | 1TB Cloud Storage | Windows Laptop or MacBook Instant Download | Activation Required
  • Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
  • Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
  • 1 TB Secure Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
  • Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
  • Easy Digital Download with Microsoft Account | Product delivered electronically for quick setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account, redeem your code, and download your apps instantly to your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

What a one-time license covers

A one-time Office purchase is different from a Microsoft 365 subscription: it is a single upfront purchase, not a recurring subscription. Microsoft describes Office suites for individuals and families, including Office 2024, as licensed for one PC or Mac. Check the exact edition you bought, since product names and terms matter; see Microsoft’s Office suites for individuals and families information and its explanation of Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

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For Office 2021, 2019, or 2016, Microsoft’s legacy installation instructions describe the one-time key redemption and account-linked installation flow. Microsoft states that support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 has ended, so those install instructions should not be taken as confirmation that those versions remain supported.

Rank #3
Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024 | Classic Desktop Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote | One-Time Purchase for 1 PC/MAC | Instant Download [PC/Mac Online Code]
  • [Ideal for One Person] — With a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office Home & Business 2024, you can create, organize, and get things done.
  • [Classic Office Apps] — Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
  • [Desktop Only & Customer Support] — To install and use on one PC or Mac, on desktop only. Microsoft 365 has your back with readily available technical support through chat or phone.
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Moving Office to another computer

Do not assume a license can be transferred just because you can install Office again. Microsoft says to review the license terms for your edition. Its instructions for a move that the terms permit describe uninstalling Office from the original computer and activating by phone on the new one. Check Microsoft’s activation guidance for a different device before proceeding.

Best Value
Microsoft 365 Family | 12-Month Subscription | Up to 6 People | Premium Office Apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more | 2TB Shared Cloud Storage | Windows Laptop or MacBook Instant Download | Activation Required
  • Designed for Your Windows and Apple Devices | Install premium Office apps on your Windows laptop, desktop, MacBook or iMac. Works seamlessly across your devices for home, school, or personal productivity.
  • Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook | Get premium versions of the essential Office apps that help you work, study, create, and stay organized.
  • Up to 2 TB Shared Cloud Storage | Store and access your documents, photos, and files from your Windows, Mac or mobile devices.
  • Premium Tools Across Your Devices | Your subscription lets you work across all of your Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with apps that sync instantly through the cloud.
  • Share Your Family Subscription | You can share all of your subscription benefits with up to 6 people for use across all their devices.
Rank #4
TrulyOffice 2024 Family Lifetime License for Windows | 4 in 1 All Access TrulyOffice Suite | Words, Sheets, Slides, and Cloud | 5 Users | Physical Activation Card
  • Lifetime License for 5 Users: Perpetual access for 5 users to TrulyOffice 2024 on Window, ensuring a versatile 4-in-1 suite, catering to the needs of 5 users.
  • Digital Delivery: Please note that this product is not a physical CD. You will be delivered an activation code to access the software digitally. Compatible with Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.14 or later.
  • Activation Instructions: Detailed instructions for activating your software are included with the delivery. Follow these steps to download and install your product.
  • Full MS Office Compatibility and Comprehensive Productivity: Experience smooth collaboration with full compatibility with MSOffice, support for all major formats, and access to Words, Slides, Sheets, and Cloud with offline and premium features.
  • Offline Access, Premium Features and Cloud Access: Access Truly Words, Truly Sheets, Truly Slides and Truly Cloud offline with premium features; safeguard your files with secure cloud storage.

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