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Easily change your Office activation without contacting support
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Your product key is different based on what version of Office you have. If the activation code or product key you have triggers a renewal window every time you open an Office application, you might need to update it or change it. Follow the steps in this guide to learn how.

Easily Change Office Key

  • If you have a subscription to Office 365 or use Office 2024, 2021, and 2019, you don't need a product key since it's attached to your Microsoft account.
  • With Office 2016, go to File > Account > Switch License and enter the new license or product key.
  • If an Office app isn't opening or giving you an activation or product code error message, use Command Prompt to change the active product key.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Office 2016

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  1. You'll see the File tab in the upper right corner in any app.
  2. It's at the bottom of the menu.
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  3. You'll see this button on the right side of the window.
    • If you don't see the "Switch License" button, install Office Updates.
  4. This will overwrite the current key.
  5. There may be new tutorials and prompts for you to follow to start using the new key.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Office 2019, 2016 & 2013 with Command Prompt

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  1. Use this method if an installation of Office 2019-2016 on Windows is not opening.
  2. Search the Start menu for "Command Prompt," then right-click the app result and select Run as admin .
  3. cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus (32-bit Windows) or cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus (64-bit Windows) and press Enter .
    • You'll see a line starting with "Last 5 characters…" that you'll need to reference in the next step.
  4. cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /unpkey:XXXXX (32-bit Windows) or cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /unpkey:XXXXX (64-bit Windows). Replace the XXXXX with the last 5 digits of the previous key and press Enter .
    • This removes that key from your activated product.
  5. cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /inpkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (32-bit Windows) or cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\OSPP.VBS" /inpkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (64-bit Windows). Replace XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your activation or product key and press Enter .
  6. Since you removed a key and added a new one, you'll need to walk through the registration process again. [1]
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