Your new device includes a 30-day trial of Microsoft 365 Family. To continue using Office apps after 30 days, you must buy Office or subscribe to Microsoft 365. If you don't want to pay for Office, you can use the free word processing and email apps that came with your new device, or you can install your own copy of Office.
How can I write a letter or check my email without buying Office?
Here are some options for you:
The Office app
The Office app enables you to get the most out of Office by helping you find all your Office apps and files in one place so you can jump quickly into your work. The app is free and can be used with Office Online – the free web-based version of Office for consumers.
To use the Office app, type Office in the search box on your Windows taskbar and sign in with your personal Microsoft account.
Office Online
Create, share, and collaborate from anywhere using the online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. All you need is a desktop browser and a Microsoft account.
Select an icon below to open an app.
OneNote
OneNote is a digital notebook that automatically saves and syncs your notes. You'll need to create a Microsoft account to use OneNote.
-
Press the Start button
-
Type OneNote, and then select the OneNote icon.
WordPad
WordPad is a basic word processor that's included with Windows 10.
-
Press the Start button
-
Type WordPad, and then select the WordPad icon.
Mail is an email app that's included with Windows 10.
-
Press the Start button
-
Type Mail, and then select the Mail icon.
I already own a non-subscription version of Office
If you already have an earlier, non-subscription version of Office such as Office 2016 or Office 2019, you can uninstall the Microsoft 365 Family trial, and then install your own version of Office. You can't use product keys for older version of Office to activate Microsoft 365 Family on your new device.
Here's how to install your own version of Office:
-
If you bought Office Professional Plus through the Microsoft Workplace Discount Program (formerly known as Home Use Program), you'll need to uninstall Microsoft 365 on this PC and then install Office through Microsoft Workplace Discount Program.
-
If you bought a one-time purchase of Office, you'll need to uninstall Microsoft 365 on this PC and then install Office.
Office was supposed to come with this device
If your device receipt indicates that Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 or Office 2019 was included with your new device, but you only see options to start a trial or buy Office, please do the following:
-
Make sure that Windows is activated. If you start Office before Windows has been activated, your Office purchase might not be detected. For help, see An error occurs when you activate pre-install Office on a new PC.
-
Verify that your receipt shows that Office was included with your device and contact Microsoft support for assistance. Note that no product key is included in the packaging. Your receipt will be used as proof of purchase.
Where's my product key?
Office product keys are not included with new devices. If you buy a new Microsoft 365, Office 2019, or Office 2016 product key card from a retailer, you can enter the product key on the Let's get started page.
How do I buy Office?
Start any Office app on your new device. On the Let's get started page, select Buy Office and follow the prompts. You can buy a one-time purchase of Office, or subscribe to Microsoft 365. Help me choose the best Office version for me
: Your Microsoft 365 trial has exclusive new features. These Microsoft 365-only features may not be available if you switch to a non-subscription of Office after your trial ends. This is because one-time purchases such as Office 2021 or Office 2019 receive security and performance updates, but don't receive new features.
After you buy Office, your purchase appears on your Microsoft account, Services & subscriptions.
What happens if I don't buy Office?
If you close the Let's get started screen, you can use Office for a few days, but eventually Office becomes unlicensed, and all editing features are disabled. You'll see the following errors in a red or yellow banner across the top of your Office app:
-
"PRODUCT NOTICE Word hasn't been activated. To keep using Word without interruption, activate before <date>"
-
"PRODUCT NOTICE Most of the features of Word have been disabled because it hasn't been activated."
To use Office for 30 days, you can start your trial subscription of Microsoft 365 Family. When the trial ends, you'll need to renew your Microsoft 365 Family subscription, or buy a one-time purchase of Office.
If you don't buy or subscribe to Office after your trial ends, you'll see these errors:
-
"RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION To keep using your Office applications without interruption, please renew by <date>"
-
"SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRED To keep using Word without interruption, please reactivate now."
