How to install and activate Office with a product key

The method depends on the edition. Home editions connect to a Microsoft account, while Professional Plus is usually activated inside the app.

Before you start

• Check that the key and the installed version match: an Office 2024 key does not activate Office 2021.
• Remove trial copies and older Office versions, then restart. See how to completely uninstall Office.
• Stay online during activation.

Professional Plus

1. Install Office from the link in your order email.
2. Open Word and go to File, then Account.
3. Click Change product key or Activate product.
4. Enter the key and restart Word. The Account page should say that the product is activated.

Home editions

Open setup.office.com, sign in with a Microsoft account you will keep, and enter the key. The licence is tied to this account, so you can reinstall later without the key.

If the app only offers Microsoft 365 sign-in

You have a subscription build installed. Remove it and install the edition you bought.